ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Defensive back Ron Parker added his name to a lengthy list of unheralded defenders who are playing well for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Parker made the defensive play of the game for the Chiefs in the third quarter of Sunday’s 17-13 win over the Buffalo Bills when he punched the ball from the grasp of running back Bryce Brown as Brown was about to score a touchdown. The ball bounced around before eventually going out the back of the end zone for a Chiefs’ touchback.
Parker wasn’t done. He broke up three passes in or near the end zone on Buffalo’s last drive late in the game, the last one on fourth down.
With that, Parker joined lineman Allen Bailey, linebacker Josh Mauga and safety Husain Abdullah as defenders who have helped the Chiefs win games.
“I saw him running with the ball and I shed my block,’’ Parker said of the forced fumble. “He was carrying the ball kind of out toward me. I thought this was my chance to take a hit at it. I got a hit on it and got a really good hit on it. I was going after the ball there. We needed a play.’’
They needed more plays to hold off the Bills late in the fourth quarter. Buffalo had a first down at the Chiefs’ 15. Quarterback Kyle Orton threw Parker’s way on three of the four plays but none had a good chance to reach its target.
For his part, Parker was in good position on all three throws.
“I felt like I should have come down with at least two of them,’’ Parker said. “The first one was a little too easy.’’
Parker became a starter early in the season at safety after Eric Berry suffered a high-ankle sprain. Parker played well enough to deserve to stay in the lineup after Berry’s return. The Chiefs used a lineup featuring both players against the Bills.
“He’s relentless,’’ coach Andy Reid said of Parker. “He’s the one out at practice diving to bat balls down. That’s just how he goes. It’s great to see him rewarded with a game like this.’’
