The Chiefs needed 75 minutes of gametime Sunday to beat the Bills, and even that was barely enough.
Playing the wind correctly after a missed field goal earlier in overtime, Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop hooked a 35-yard field goal through the uprights to win 13-10 as time expired in overtime.
Jamaal Charles finished with 177 yards on 22 carries and was Kansas City’s leading receiver with four catches and 61 yards. The Chiefs defense dominated the game in the first half, but the team couldn’t get a two score lead. Coach Todd Haley passed up on a short field goal on one failed fourth down conversion in the first half.
The Bills started to go on a few long drives in the second half. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick converted on a fourth-and-five touchdown to Stevie Johnson with under two minutes left in regulation to tie the game. The Bills got the ball back four more times, but couldn’t score.
The 0-7 Bills continue to find excruciating ways to lose. This time, it was their prized special teamers that let them down.
All Pro punter Brian Moorman had a bad touchback early in OT, then shanked a punt to set up Kansas City’s game-winning score. Kicker Rian Lindell had a chance to win, but knocked one off the uprights from 53 yards out in overtime. He had nailed the kick moments before, but Chiefs coach Todd Haley had called time out before the play.
Everything seems to be coming up aces for the Chiefs, who learned they can’t expect to blow anyone out, even winless ones. But with more than 200 rushing yards in four straight games, they remain very tough to beat in the new Arrowhead Stadium.
At 5-2, the Chiefs will be very tough to catch in the AFC West if they just keep winning the games they should at home.