Two Bills Drive

‘”It felt like one got away,” said Bills defensive end Chidi Ahanotu of this surprisingly low-scoring game. “We felt like we were in command for most of the game. I think everyone in here is a little frustrated.”‘

‘”I’ve noticed how he plays his game,” Warfield was saying inside a joyous Chiefs locker room. “I mean, not to take anything from him, the guy has a lot of talent and he’s done a really good job this season. But I’ve seen him make stupid plays when people start talking to him. I’ve seen him at the end of games, with no time left, just go up and hit a guy in the back of the head for no reason. All that stuff is uncalled for. I just knew if I could say something and get in his head, he would do something stupid and that’s what it was.”‘

‘Considered the NFL’s best tandem of receivers with 122 catches combined coming into the game, they managed just eight receptions for 76 yards against a Chiefs pass defense that ranked dead last in the league having allowed an average of 306 yards per game. Moulds was kept without a catch in the second half, and Price committed two penalties on a third-quarter drive that contributed to Buffalo settling for a field goal instead of a touchdown.’

‘COACHING — The Bills’ offensive game plan was sound, until the red zone (just three run calls out of 15 plays). Jerry Gray had defense ready, but his unit wilted at crunch time. The onsides kick call was strong but 13 penalties marred Gregg Williams’ Missouri homecoming. C’

‘Holmes ripped off runs of 15, 12, 8 and 9 yards in the final 4 minutes, moving the chains, consuming clock and forcing the Bills to use their remaining two time outs. Holmes finished the day with 104 yards and his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He also scored the Chiefs’ first touchdown in the opening quarter.’

‘”I tried to let Drew think that he was open,” Warfield said. “I kind of knew (Price’s) speed from covering him the rest of the game. I figured he wasn’t that fast to run past me.”‘

‘Although it can hardly be classified as a breakout game, Morton did catch three passes for 52 yards. He now has 19 receptions for 254 yards for the season. Morton’s running mate, Eddie Kennison, added three catches for 93 yards and set up the Chiefs’ first score by hauling in Trent Green’s 44-yard bomb down the left sideline.’

‘One week after several dubious calls helped steal a game from the Chiefs, an officiating crew handed Kansas City a victory with a plethora of questionable flags.’

‘Green’s 9-yard touchdown run gave the Chiefs a precarious 17-16 lead, and his 12-yard scramble on third and 6 with just more than 2 minutes remaining preserved it.’

‘”The Chiefs did a good job knowing that we’ve got some big playmakers on the edges, and those are the areas we can counter by running the football and trying to get us some single coverage and big plays down the field. We had a few shots; we didn’t make the play today.”‘

‘He never said a word. Priest Holmes doesn’t talk in the huddle. All game long, he never once said, “Man, I’m tired,” or “Block for me, guys,” or “Give me the ball,” or “I can’t feel my left arm.” He never said a word. He never does. “This is you again, Priest,” Chiefs quarterback Trent Green said.’

‘You wouldn’t blame the Buffalo Bills for seeing red after Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs.’

‘The Bills tried an onside kick in the second quarter after kicking a field goal that cut their deficit to 7-3. They were rewarded for their boldness when Charles Johnson recovered. Buffalo used the resulting field position to move for another field goal. The Bills went after Lyle West, who retreated too quickly from his position on the right side of the Chiefs’ front. “I went down a couple steps and tried to come back, but by that time it was too late,” West said. “It was a good call on their part.’

‘Trailing 16-10 and needing to win to remain on the edge of the playoff picture, the Chiefs drove 78 yards — aided by 44 yards on two controversial penalties against the Bills — to score the winning touchdown with 4:53 remaining.’

‘The most maligned player on the NFL’s most criticized defense came through with a game-breaking play to help keep the playoff hopes alive for the Kansas City Chiefs.’