Chiefs lose to Bills, 28-21

Pete Sweeney, The Kansas City Star on Nov 2, 2025

Published in Football

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21 on Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium. With the loss, Kansas City enters the bye week at 5-4.

Here are some immediate observations from the Chiefs’ Week 9 NFL loss:

Turning point: Kincaid sets the tone — and formula

Buffalo entered Week 9 with a very clear plan: test Kansas City’s run defense and exploit the second level, primarily with its tight ends. The approach worked … a lot.

After the Chiefs rallied to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter, Josh Allen and the Bills faced second-and-13 from their own 45-yard line. With solid protection for Allen, tight end Dalton Kincaid had the time to get behind Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill.

Allen connected with Kincaid in stride, and he ran 47 yards up the field, all the way to the Chiefs’ 8-yard line. Two plays later, backup running back Ty Johnson was in the end zone, giving Buffalo a 14-10 lead — one it wouldn’t relinquish.

From that point forward, the Bills had control of the game, sticking to the script the rest of the night.

Rapid reaction: Problems at the second level all afternoon

The concern for Kansas City is that Buffalo’s offensive formula is repeatable. In today’s NFL, every opponent seemingly has a capable running back, an athletic tight end and a quick and talented slot receiver.

While the Chiefs’ defense has been a strength this season, its weakness has been defending the second level — and particularly the flats.

The linebackers continue to struggle in coverage, and the front four isn’t generating enough pressure without blitz help. Each of the Bills’ first three touchdown drives included an explosive play to a tight end.

Theoretically, that weakness is fine when the offense is scoring at will, because it’s difficult to get back into the game with long, methodical drives attacking the intermediate.

The offense wasn’t scoring at will on Sunday in Buffalo, allowing the Bills to dictate the game. Specifically, Bills 2024 second-round safety Cole Bishop had an outstanding day, finishing with a tackle for loss and three passes defensed in big spots.

While the Buffalo secondary deserves a hat tip, the Chiefs’ offensive line — which had been good enough coming into the game — was porous (and injured) at times, leaving Mahomes vulnerable to take on some nasty hits. Without Josh Simmons, Wanya Morris entered the game at right tackle when Jawaan Taylor left due to an ankle injury.

Starting in place of Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt looked explosive early, which made it puzzling that Kansas City quickly got away from the run. The Bills entered the game allowing 150 yards per contest, the second-worst mark in the league.

As is expected at this point, Mahomes did all he could to push for a miraculous ending. But on this afternoon, the issues were too many to overcome.

Critical stat: Tight end production

Together, Buffalo’s three tight ends combined for eight catches, 149 yards and the touchdown to Kincaid.

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