Mistakes doom Buffalo Bills in 17-13 loss to Kansas City Chiefs

Bryce Brown fumbled at the goal line. Leodis McKelvin coughed up a late punt. Those plays led to a 14-point, fourth-quarter swing in a four-point loss for the Buffalo Bills, and they are now perilously behind in the AFC playoff picture following their 17-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

As Brown was crossing the five-yard line to finish off the opening drive of the third quarter, defensive back Ron Parker pounded the ball out. The ball bounced out of the back of the end zone to be Chiefs ball. Not to be outdone, McKelvin fielded a punt in the fourth quarter with room to work, but lost the ball after being hit. Kansas City drove down and scored a touchdown with the short field.

The Bills' defense was stout for most of the day, hitting Alex Smith relentlessly and sacking him six times - three from Marcell Dareus alone. But backup end Manny Lawson lost contain on the go-ahead Smith touchdown run following McKelvin's fumble, and earlier in the half, as well, when Jamaal Charles took it around the corner on 4th and 1 for a 39-yard touchdown.

The 5-4 Bills fall to No. 10 in the AFC, lose tiebreakers to San Diego and Kansas City, and have a 2-4 record in the conference. This doesn't eliminate them from the playoff picture, but it severely cripples them in their effort to break a 14-season playoff drought.