Chiefs turn to running game to defeat Bills
Clyde Edwards-Helaire showed new teammate Le’Veon Bell and the rest of the NFL how dominant the Kansas City Chiefs’ running attack is already.
The rookie had 161 yards rushing and Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Travis Kelce, leading the Chiefs to a 26-17 win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night in a game that was originally scheduled for last Thursday.
Mahomes finished 21 of 26 for 225 yards. His first scoring toss to Kelce was the 90th of his career in his 37th game, breaking the NFL record for fewest games to 90 TD passes. Hall of Famer Dan Marino had the previous mark at 40 games.
Darrel Williams scored on 13-yard run to cap a nearly eight-minute, 82yard drive that gave the Chiefs a 20-10 lead with 1:18 left in the third quarter, effectively sealing the game.
The Chiefs are off to their third 5-1 start in four seasons, and they bounced back from a sloppy 40-32 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 11.
Last week, Kansas City added another weapon to its high-powered offense by signing Bell a few days after he was cut by the New York Jets. Bell is expected to make his debut this weekend at Denver.
“I can’t wait,” Bell tweeted during the game.
Buffalo (4-2) lost its second straight. The Bills fell 42-16 at Tennessee last Tuesday, a game that was moved because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Titans. That led to the Kansas City-Buffalo game being pushed back as well.
The Chiefs, who were originally scheduled to play three games in 11 days, wound up having two extra days of rest on Buffalo.
Josh Allen finished 14 of 27 for 122 yards with touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley.
In what was supposed to be a showdown of the NFL’s top passers, the Chiefs leaned on their running game to help keep the Allen-led Bills cooling their heels on the sideline.
CAROLINA PANTHERS CLOSE FACILITY FOR 2 DAYS
>> The Carolina Panthers have closed their facility for the next two days after receiving an “unconfirmed” positive coronavirus test Monday.
The team said in a statement that “out of abundance of caution, players, coaches and staff inside the red line areas will work virtually Monday and today. The training room remains open and we are still scheduled to operate on our regular itinerary on Wednesday.”
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said on a video conference call Monday that he received a phone call at 4:48 a.m. about the unconfirmed test, but wouldn’t say if it involved a player, coach or staff member.
TITANS LT LEWAN CONFIRMS HE TORE HIS ACL >>
The Tennessee Titans are going to have to finish this season without left tackle Taylor Lewan because of a torn right ACL.
Lewan announced Monday on social media that an MRI confirmed he tore his ACL in the Titans’ overtime win over Houston.
SOURCE: JETS AGREE TO TRADE MCLENDON TO BUC
CANEERS >> A source says the New York Jets have agreed to terms on a trade that sends veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay will also acquire New York’s 2023 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for the Buccaneers’ sixth-rounder in 2022, according to the source.
The deal that was agreed upon Sunday night will reunite McLendon with Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
COWBOYS’ VANDER ESCH TO RETURN AGAINST CARDI
NALS >> The Dallas Cowboys activated Leighton Vander Esch, clearing the way for the linebacker to play against Arizona on Monday night five weeks and a day after breaking his collarbone in the opener.
Vander Esch, who was limited to nine games last year by a neck injury, started practicing two weeks ago and was a full participant leading up to the home game against the Cardinals.