Buffalo Bills Get Feel Good Win In Kansas City

All of western New York certainly needed a win on Sunday, and a 54-31 victory was just what the doctor (probably a shrink) ordered.

After a heartbreaking loss to the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, Bills fans just wanted a reason to not pull their hair out.

The Bills delivered that and much more.

There was talk amongst Bills fans that the Chiefs were going to prevail on Sunday. They were not playing like a 1-10 team, and the Bills were in a vulnerable spot. The thinking was that the Bills of old were back; those Bills' teams who would beat some good teams and lose to some bad.

Buffalo certainly did anything but lose on Sunday.

Trent Edwards played well and that was possibly the biggest reason for celebration. He came out a little slow and missed tight end Robert Royal on a wide-open touchdown pass, but the Bills scored a touchdown on the drive anyway.

That missed throw almost seemed to lighten Edwards up a little.

Once Edwards went back to the sideline the offensive line coach Sean Kulger made a comment saying, "Man, I could have made that throw in my sleep." I'm sure all Edwards could do was smile at Kulger, but it must have helped to move on rather than beating himself up over a bad throw that didn't cost his team. 

After that drive Edwards slowly started to get his confidence back. He played like he was having fun and that was a big step from the Edwards we have seen the last four weeks.

Offensively the Bills played as well as you could ask. The offensive line had another solid all around game. If they keep it up it could translate into some big wins for the Bills.

Lee Evans and Josh Reed got involved in the passing game and had typical days for the two of them. They each had five receptions with Evans going for 110 yards and Reed for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Edwards must have been thrilled to get Reed back, and I'm sure Lee Evans didn't mind either. The play of these two receivers over the final five weeks will factor largely in the Bills playoff hopes.

Defensively the Bills' had a hard time stopping the Chiefs, but did manage to get some big turnovers, which can make the worst defense look world class.

Leodis McKelvin was a stud on Sunday.

He had two interceptions and gave the Bills great field position all day either by good returns, or by forcing Kansas City to kick short and keep it away from him. Let's hope he continues to play this well.

The Bills should beat San Francisco at home next week. I'll leave it at that until Friday's preview.

The AFC East has proven to be a strong conference this season. That is both good and bad for the Bills. Buffalo has yet to beat a team with a winning record, and the three AFC East teams ahead of them are all playing well right now. 

However, if you want to be a playoff team you have to beat some good teams, and Buffalo should be glad it has the chance to do that by playing their division again.

I said last week that no 11-5 team will miss the playoffs this year, and I stand by that. There are five weeks remaining in the season and the playoff picture will become clearer after each week. It's the time when the pretenders are separated from the contenders (I love that phrase). 

Check back on Friday and I will preview the San Francisco game, as well as take a closer look at the playoff picture.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!