Buffalo Bills Commit To Their Running Game Against Kansas City Chiefs

The Buffalo Bills were facing one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL Sunday in the Kansas City Chiefs. So, what did the Bills do about it? They disdained the pass and made a concerted effort to establish their running game, for one of the few times this season.

The end result was that the Bills rushed 35 times for 200 yards, averaging 5.7 yards/rush. When you are averaging more than five yards per rush, you're getting the job done. Just ask the Bills rushing defenders if you need more convincing.

Fred Jackson just failed to crack the 100-yard mark as he picked up 99 yards in 20 carries, while Marshawn Lynch had 84 yards on only 12 carries. Lynch had a long run today of 47 yards when he reversed his field and was sprung by a great block from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, of all people.

The Bills only threw the ball 20 times all day. The leading receiver for the Bills was Fred Jackson, who had three catches for 23 yards. In fact, Terrell Owens and Lee Evans just barely managed to pick up more yards combined than Jackson, as they caught three passes for 26 yards. Hardly worth showing up for that.

Of the three catches for the pair of wide receivers, one of them was a short throw on a crossing pattern to T.O., who managed to just break the plane of the goal line thanks to a great block from Fred Jackson.

The touchdown moved Owens in to fourth place all-time on the touchdowns scored list. Quite a lofty place to be, so congratulations Terrell. He is starting to score touchdowns with more regularity, so he may be able to retain his key to the city after all.

How Did the Bills Run for 200 Yards?

The Bills just decided to keep giving the ball to Fred Jackson and let him do his thing. This game saw the Bills determined to establish the run, and they allowed Jackson to develop some momentum by feeding him the ball all day.

Jackson broke a number of tackles and continues to impress with how smoothly he runs. He absorbs punishment but finds a way to keep his balance and pick up additional yards after the initial hit.

Marshawn Lynch ran with purpose and looked like he wanted to mix it up today. Nice to see the long run by Lynch, and Fitzpatrick's willingness to throw himself at the defender to spring Marshawn probably scored him some points with his teammates.

What Happened to the Bills' Passing Game?

This game was one to forget if you are a fan of the Bills' passing attack. Fitzpatrick was dealing with some pressure, but nothing more than he has seen in his prior starts. In fact, he was only sacked twice for the whole game.

Deep in Chiefs' territory, Fitzpatrick attempted to use play action to fool the defense, as he wanted to throw the ball to Lee Evans in the back of the end zone. The problem was that Evans was the only receiver that ran a pattern; everyone else was on the line of scrimmage.

So by the time Fitzpatrick threw it up, three different defenders had already closed in on Evans, and they were easily able to intercept the pass. One of the worst decisions to throw the ball that I have witnessed from Fitzpatrick this year. 

Not only was it a terrible decision, but the actual play design was even worse.  Nobody was fooled on defense, and releasing an additional back or tight end would at least have provided Fitzpatrick with additional options.

I wonder if that was something that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt drew up. Alex, please throw that play in to the shredder. The sooner, the better.

Fitzpatrick did pick up several first downs with his feet by scrambling or sneaking for the needed yards. He coughed up a fumble at the Bills' 10-yard line in the first quarter, but luckily for Fitzpatrick, the defense bailed him out when they stopped the Chiefs on fourth down at the one-yard line.

Besides the sack and fumble, and the interception in the end zone, the Bills' passing game also had one other turnover when Shawn Nelson caught a pass, only to allow a Chiefs defender to rip it out of his hands for another fumble. Losing the ball on three turnovers, and only throwing it for 86 yards, meant the Bills could have easily lost this game.

So, How Did the Bills Actually Win?

The Bills won this contest due to a bend but not break defense that allowed Matt Cassel to throw short passes that amounted to 224 yards total, albeit with a passer rating of only 35.4. The reason for the meager rating was due to a pair of fours: four interceptions and four sacks.

The Bills' front line was applying solid pressure, and Aaron Schobel, Bryan Scott, Chris Kelsay, and Spencer Johnson all registered sacks. There were other plays where the Bills did not apply any pressure (usually on 3rd-and-long), and of course having all day to throw, Matt Cassel was able to pick apart the secondary for first downs.

The Chiefs kept going for it on fourth down. If they had settled for the field goal on the first drive down in the red zone, it would have affected the rest of the game.

They just were not content to take the points that were available to them, and felt the need to take on additional risks. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

The Chiefs only had one big play on offense when Jamaal Charles was the recipient of a great call, as the Chiefs handed the ball off while the Bills blitzed. He found no opposition at all as he ran through the line and proceeded to score from 78 yards away.

If you took away that one play, Charles would have rushed for only 65 yards for the day. Luckily for the Bills, they were able to contain Charles except for just the one big play.

Chris Chambers dropped a pass inside the five-yard line during the final three minutes of the game. That could have turned the game around. That was a big play as well.

In addition, the Bills won the battle of intangibles, and the special teams battle as well. That unit came through with a big performance. Brian Moorman had one highlight reel punt of 78 yards, and that helped the Bills average 20 yards more per punt than KC did.

In fact, KC was hoping for great field position, but Moorman's punt forced KC back inside their own 10. They punted after a three-and-out drive, and since the punt only traveled 28 yards, the Bills were the team with the great field position.

Special teams rookie Ashlee Palmer absolutely drilled the Chiefs kick returner on two separate occasions in the game. He and fellow rookie linebacker Nic Harris had some big hits, along with one nice hit put on by the other rookie in the front seven, Aaron Maybin.

Jairus Byrd looked to be back from his groin injury issues as he was moving all over the field and came up with his ninth interception of the year. He and George Wilson were fighting over the ball in the end zone on the final play of the game.

It appeared either one of them could come up with the ball, but Wilson finally emerged with it, sealing the win for the Bills in the process.

Paul Posloszny and Terrence McGee also earned interceptions. Posluszny got burned on some bad reads or angles. He still finds himself out of position or is burnt too often trying to keep up with a faster running back.

What Was the Outcome of the Dreaded Third Down Conversion Rate for Buffalo & KC?

The teams went a combined 10-for-30 on third down, so they converted 33 percent of the time, higher than their normal averages. The Chiefs also tried to convert four times during the game on fourth down, only succeeding once.

Those three other stops proved to be the difference in the game.

For the record, KC improved on their low third down conversion rate by picking up seven first downs out of 18 attempts, while Buffalo was only 3-for-12 on third down.

Yet the Bills won the time of possession battle, with 30 minutes and change compared to 29 minutes and change. That was a direct result of handing the ball off for 35 rush attempts.

Bills Bits

There were no major injuries to report. Chris Draft did not start due to injury and Nic Harris stepped in and the rookie had some big hits in his starting assignment.

Buffalo only used the Wildcat formation for one play today. It seems like they keep showing it briefly just to make sure that their opponents need to spend time practicing against it.

Bryan Scott had a strong game with 10 tackles, a sack, and a great pass deflection that led to Jairus Byrd's interception with the game on the line in the fourth quarter.

Josh Reed has all but disappeared in the offense since Fitzpatrick took over at QB. He had a pass thrown to him down by the goal line, but outside of that one play, I don't recall any other passes being thrown to him.

Jamon Meredith came in to line up at tight end on several plays. Since Jonathan Scott and Kirk Chambers started at tackle, that is something that may be done again, using Meredith to block on the outside.

Shawn Nelson missed some time due to a sprained ankle, and no doubt that is why Meredith was in for him.

Today's win gives Perry Fewell a .500 record at 2-2 as the Bills' interim head coach. The Bills now have three games remaining, and they host New England next week, looking for revenge for that late loss from the opening Monday Night Football game.