The red-hot Buffalo Bills rolled into Kansas City looking to extend their perfect season. Coming off the record setting offensive performance in Houston one week prior, the streaky Bills quarterback Jack Kemp would continue his hot hand in the first quarter against the Chiefs. In the season opener, Kemp riddled the Chiefs defense in putting up 31 first quarter points, a club record. The rematch would follow the same script.

The Chiefs defense was determined to corral the methodical and punishing Buffalo ground attack led by FB Cookie Gilchrist. Who had 404 yards and 4 TDs on the ground in the young season. Their hopes rested on forcing the inconsistent Kemp to beat them, and failing that, trying to get to Coach Lou Saban’s reliable reliever, 2nd year QB Daryle Lamonica to make mistakes. Plan A, stopping the run, worked. Gilchrist would be frustrated all day with his worst rushing total on the year. However, Plan B- stopping Kemp early, failed. The veteran signal caller led the Bills 80 yards on a long march, capping the drive with a 1 yard Kemp QB keeper to put Buffalo up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

Buffalo’s staunch defense gave Kansas City and QB Len Dawson fits the entire first half. Nursing sore ribs coming into the contest, Dawson was harassed by the Bill’s front line of Sestak, McDole, Day, and Dunaway much like they did in the Bill’s home opener. Dawson’s day would end in the second quarter, driven to the bench and replaced by backup Eddie Wilson by Hank Stram .

Forcing the Chiefs to punt following the Bills first score, Kansas City’s punter Jerrol Wilson shanked the kick, setting up Kemp and Company again in excellent field position. On the second play of the second quarter, Kemp fired a 55 yard TD pass to Elbert “Golden Wheels” Dubenion giving the Bills a 14-0 advantage. Following a Kansas City failed 28-yard FG attempt, Kemp drove the Bills to yet another TD. Speedy WR Glenn Bass capped the drive with a 9 yard scoring reception sending the Bills into the half with a 21-0 lead. Kemp finished the half 10 of 12 for 195 yards, 2 TD passes, and a TD run.

Buffalo’s special teams came up big again to start the second half. Center Al Bemiller forced a KC fumble covering a punt putting the Bills on the Chiefs 22. One play later, Dubenion hauled in TD catch #2 on the day – and barely 2 minutes into the third the Bills looked to be cruising again with a 28-0 lead.

Hank Stram’s Chiefs refused to fold. On the ensuing drive, Kansas City RB Mack Lee Hill broke loose with a 53 yard run to put them on the scoreboard- but they failed to convert the 2-point conversion. Cookie Gilchrist’s tough afternoon got worse when he coughed up the ball on the very next play. Chief’s linebacker great Bobby Bell scooped up the gift and ran it in for another quick score- the Chief’s second in :13, bringing them back into the contest and breathing life back into the previously lethargic Chief’s home crowd. The Bills defense again held on the 2-point conversion, but the Chiefs had narrowed the gap to 28-12.

Six minutes later, backup QB Eddie Wilson hit KC RB Curtis McClinton with a 55 yard pass, following it up with another 25-yard completion to TE Fred Arbanas. The resurgent Chiefs drew closer when Wilson kept it himself on a 1-yard QB sneak closing the gap again to 28-19. Jack Kemp- who was brilliant in the first half, threw his third interception of the second half on the very next drive setting up yet another KC opportunity. Since hitting Dubenion for the 4th Buffalo score, he was 3-10 for 39 yards and 3 interceptions. The Bills defense held their ground, forcing a Kansas City FG. But Lou Saban had seen enough, and summoned Lamonica out of the bullpen again.

Trailing 28-22 with 7:34 remaining, Hank Stram had a tough decision to make. He was facing 4th and inches on his own 35. With a second string QB at the helm, and facing the stingy Bills defense, he rolled the dice and chose to go for it instead of punt. Stram called a QB option, rolling Wilson to the right giving him the option to keep it on the bootleg, or dump it off. Bills Safety George Saimes and CB Gene Sykes sniffed the play out perfectly catching Wilson alone in the backfield, dumping him for a loss. The Bills defense forced the turnover on downs. Three minutes later, Lamonica sealed the victory with an insurance scoring drive. Rookie RB Bobby Smith capped off the drive with a 4 yard run, making the final score 35-22.

Buffalo takes their perfect record back home against the New York Jets in week 7