Chiefs vs. Bills: Breaking Down Thad Lewis And Buffalo’s QB Situation
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
According to the 2013 NFL schedule—which the Chiefs can’t control by the way—Kansas City must head up to Buffalo this weekend to face the 3-5 Bills.
On the line for Kansas City is a 9-0 record heading into the bye week and then the teeth of the schedule. Winning here would not only set the Chiefs up with unfathomable momentum, but it would be a great way to cap off the first part of this season.
Though Kansas City is currently undefeated, every win from the bye on out will be highly contested and fought for. After the bye, the Chiefs must run the gauntlet of Denver, San Diego, Denver, Washington, Oakland, Indianapolis and San Diego.
Being 9-0 heading into that stretch would be a luxury, to say the least. First though, it would be unwise to just look over Buffalo.
To get to know a team I firmly believe you should first look at its quarterback. Unfortunately for the Bills, 2013 has featured a revolving door at the position, mainly due to injury,
Buffalo drafted Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel No. 16 overall in the 2013 NFL draft, and he paid immediate dividends for the organization. Through the first five games of the season, Manuel threw for 985 yards and five touchdowns. While he did throw three picks, he was able to lead the Bills to a decent 2-2 record. More importantly, he showed the signs of being a good NFL quarterback, which Buffalo desperately needs.
Unfortunately, he sprained his LCL against Cleveland in Week 5, and he was given a window of four to six weeks for recovery. I wouldn’t expect to see him in against Kansas City.
The Bills went with first year quarterback Jeff Tuel out of Washington State to replace Manuel against the Browns, but he was replaced by second year quarterback Thad Lewis, who was promoted from the practice squad and started against the Bengals. The Bills lost that game, but Lewis threw for 216 yards, two touchdowns and also ran in a touchdown.
The next week in Miami, Lewis helped lead the Bills to a 23-21 win over the Dolphins.
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Lewis went 22-of-39 for one touchdown and one interception last week against the New Orleans Saints and he fumbled the ball three times, losing two of them.
He was banged up with a rib injury and also suffered with the flu this week, but according to Dan Hanzus of NFL.com yesterday, he was expected to play against the Chiefs.
The tone surrounding Lewis has changed today though, and that’s not good for the Bills. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, Lewis is unlikely to play.
"As of Friday, Lewis officially is doubtful. He could still play; “doubtful” officially means there’s a 25-percent chance he’ll go.But we’re now hearing that Lewis is indeed unlikely to go. Apart from the injured ribs, which we’re told have gotten worse during the week, his illness has made it more difficult to prepare to play.”I doubt he plays at this point,” the source said. “He’s hurting bad.”"
If he doesn’t end up playing, Buffalo would have to go with either Tuel or Matt Flynn of Green Bay backup lore.
Either way, it could end up being a long day for whoever is playing quarterback for the Bills. The Chiefs are notorious for getting after the quarterback, and they’re not going to feel sorry Buffalo’s injury inflicted quarterback unit.