Bills Unable to Find Winning Tuel in Loss

Chiefs CB Sean Smith picked off the inexperienced Bills QB early
 in the second half for a 100-yard touchdown.
(Source: Gary Weipert/AP Photo)

The Buffalo Bills must have listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1991 hit, "Give It Away" during Sunday's game, because that's exactly what happened. 

Just hours before gametime, the team announced that starting quarterback Thad Lewis would be listed as inactive (ribs), naming undrafted rookie free agent quarterback Jeff Tuel the starter. Tuel would have his hands full in his first career NFL start, facing one of the leagues best defenses.

On a cold November day, the Bills started off the game hot. Buffalo's defense made Kansas City feel the pressure right away, forcing all punts in the first quarter. Bills cornerback and return specialist Leodis McKelvin got things going early with a punt return for a touchdown. Unfortunately the joystick like effort was negated due to a penalty on the return. Although this did not earn points, it boosted the energy in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Later in the quarter, Buffalo finally used that energy when Tuel found the speedy Marquise Goodwin for a 59-yard touchdown to take the early 7-0 with 1:52 remaining in the first.

The second quarter showed very low productivity from both offenses, with each team putting up only one field goal. The first half would come to an end with a 10-3 lead in favor of the home team.

Buffalo received the second half kickoff looking to better their lead. It seemed they'd do just that after running back C.J. Spiller's 61-yard burst on their first play from scrimmage. The long play put Buffalo inside Kansas City's red zone. A few plays later, Tuel targeted tight end Scott Chandler in the end zone, the pass fell incomplete, but the Chiefs were hit with a pass interference penalty, putting Buffalo one yard away from paydirt. After two unsuccessful runs from running back Fred Jackson, Buffalo was faced with a crucial third down form the two. Lined up in the gun, Tuel dropped back and felt the all-out blitz from the defense. Tuel locked onto wide receiver T.J. Graham, threw the ball into double coverage and was picked off by Sean Smith of the Chiefs. It didn't end there, Smith returned Tuel's pass 100-yards for a Kansas City touchdown. Tuel missed a wide open receiver, Stevie Johnson, who was waving for the ball in the middle of the end zone. Instead of being up two scores, the game was now tied with momentum in the visiting teams favor. The quarter ended with both teams trading field goals, making it a 13-13 game going into the final 15 minutes.

The Bills had a chance to regain momentum on their first offensive possession of the fourth quarter. Tuel thew a simple out route to Graham deep in their own territory, Graham caught the ball and made a football move before he was hit and stripped by a Kansas City defender and was scooped and scored by the dangerous defensive end Tamba Hali. The mistake put Buffalo in a 20-13 hole, which they were unable to rebound from. Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop nailed a 39-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining in the game to end Buffalo's hopes at a comeback. 

Chiefs 23 Bills 13 FINAL

Although Buffalo doubled the Chiefs in total yards, they were unable to find a way to get the job done. In fact, the Bills rushed for more yards (241) than the Chiefs earned in total (210). A simple reasoning for Buffalo's loss on Sunday would be the three turnovers. The Bills lost the turnover battle 3-0, with the Chiefs turning the gifts into 17 points. 

The Bills fall to 3-6 (last in the AFC East), while the Chiefs surge to 9-0 (best in the NFL). Buffalo will take on Ben Roethlisberger and the struggling 2-6 Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday at Heinz Field. 

Three stars for Buffalo in week nine:

1. C.J. Spiller- 12 CAR, 116 YDS, 2 REC, 39 YDS

2. Marquise Goodwin- 2 REC, 64 YDS, TD, 1KR, 24 YDS

3. Buffalo Bills Defense- 9 PA, 210 YDSA