NEW YORK --Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 161 yards on 26 carries Monday as the Kansas City Chiefs toppled the Buffalo Bills 26-17 at soggy Orchard Park, N.Y.
The 100-yard game was the second for the first-round pick from LSU and came after the Chiefs (5-1) signed Le'Veon Bell following his release from the New York Jets. Bell, a two-time All-Pro running back, did not play while following COVID-19 protocol after reporting to the Chiefs last week.
The contest was played in a steady rain, prompting Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes to pick his spots in the passing game. He finished 21 of 26 for 225 yards with two touchdowns, both to tight end Travis Kelce, as the Chiefs converted 9 of 14 third downs.
Down 10-7, the Chiefs scored 16 unanswered points before quarterback Josh Allen finally triggered the Buffalo passing game. Allen went 5-for-5 on a drive he capped by hitting Cole Beasley for an 8-yard score to slice the gap to 23-17 with 6:34 left.
Kansas City, however, used four-plus minutes to put Harrison Butker in position for a game-clinching 30-yard field goal with 1:56 left. The Chiefs logged 30 second-half rushes and 46 carries overall, the most for a team coached by Andy Reid.
Allen, who came in averaging 317.8 yards passing, finished 14 of 27 for 122 yards and two touchdowns, but he had his last attempt intercepted by Daniel Sorensen. The Bills (4-2) added just 84 yards rushing while losing their second straight.
The teams traded the lead three times in the first half before Kansas City settled for a 13-10 halftime margin behind 94 yards from Edwards-Helaire.
Kelce caught touchdown passes of 11 and 12 yards to account for the Chiefs' first-half scoring. Kelce fumbled at the end of the half, and the Bills produced a quick 15-yard gain on an easy reception by Stefon Diggs, but Tyler Bass missed a 52-yard field goal as the half expired.
Bass connected on a 48-yarder to give Buffalo a 3-0 lead. Allen found Diggs for a 4-yard scoring strike after a lengthy pass interference call against the Chiefs on third-and-10 early in the second quarter.
