Backup quarterback leads Bills past Chiefs

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Somewhere along the way from Tulane to Buffalo, J.P. Losman had forgotten what had made him a successful quarterback worthy of being a first-round NFL draft pick.

It wasn't until the Buffalo Bills relegated him to the sideline last month after four uninspiring starts when Losman began to realize what had been missing.

''I've always had a chip on my shoulder,'' Losman said, noting that's what he learned growing up in a tough neighborhood in Venice, Calif. ''That's what I'm used to, that's me. And I kind of forgot that.''

Taking all the emotions that built up since losing his starting job to Kelly Holcomb, Losman let loose his frustrations on the Kansas City Chiefs, leading the Buffalo Bills to a 14-3 victory Sunday.

Losman got in the game after Holcomb left with a severe concussion in the second quarter. And the second-year quarterback responded by engineering scoring drives on two of his first four possessions, showing poise, efficiency and a passion -- all the things that appeared missing when he was benched after going 1-3 and losing three straight.

''I love that anger,'' Losman said. ''Call it cocky, arrogant, whatever you want to call it. That's me and that's just the way it is. ... And I'm not going to lose that from here on out.''

Losman finished 9-of-16 for 137 yards passing, hitting Lee Evans for both touchdowns, a go-ahead 33-yarder on his first drive and a 29-yarder midway through the third quarter.

He keyed a strong effort from a Bills team (4-5) coming off a bye week needing a boost after losing two straight and on the verge of falling out of playoff contention.

''I thought he responded, whether it was playing mad or whatever,'' coach Mike Mularkey said. ''Obviously, he came prepared because I think he took advantage of it and didn't flinch.''

The Chiefs (5-4), on the other hand, did by failing to build off what was supposed to be a morale-boosting last-second 27-23 win over Oakland last weekend.

Trent Green was uncharacteristically sloppy, going 23-of-40 for 220 yards and three interceptions -- after throwing three in his previous eight games.

''It's very frustrating,'' Green said. ''We had too many turnovers and they played very good bend-but-don't-break defense. They had two big plays and we didn't have any.''

Larry Johnson had 132 yards rushing in his first start since the Chiefs placed Priest Holmes on injured reserve because of head and neck injuries earlier this week.

Kansas City lost despite generating more yards (316 to Buffalo's 209), more first downs (22-9) and controlling the ball for nearly 35 minutes.

The problem was how the Chiefs persistently squandered opportunities.

Of seven drives into Buffalo territory, Kansas City mustered Lawrence Tynes' 35-yard field goal that opened the scoring.

''It's embarrassing,'' tight end Tony Gonzalez said. ''For us to only go out there and score three points is inexcusable.''

Credit the Bills defense for a strong outing despite being further depleted by injuries.

Defensive tackle Sam Adams missed his first game of the season because of a knee injury and veteran free safety Troy Vincent hurt his shoulder in the second quarter and didn't return.

The Bills generated four turnovers, including a fumble and six sacks. Kansas City's three points were the fewest Buffalo has allowed since beating New England 31-0 in the 2003 season opener.

''This was a big game for us just because of the fact we know what kind of defense we've got,'' cornerback Terrence McGee said. ''It's good to get that swagger back.''