Alex Smith was in the conversation for NFL MVP earlier this season. The Chiefs quarterback was outplayed Sunday by Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor.

The Bills quarterback was 19 of 29 for 183 yards and a touchdown to help Buffalo snap a three-game losing streak with a 16-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium. Taylor, who was benched in favor of rookie Nathan Peterman last week, also ran for 27 yards on nine carries.

After Peterman threw five interceptions in the first half against the Chargers, Taylor took over in the second half of last Sunday's 54-24 loss.

Smith didn't play poorly Sunday, going 23 of 36 for 199 yards and another 35 rushing yards, but the Chiefs offense struggled to get anything going with only one first down in the first half. A late Smith interception, the only turnover of the game, sealed the Bills victory.

Here are three takeaways from Buffalo's win over the Chiefs

1. The Chiefs are in trouble — Once thought to be a lock for the playoffs, the Chiefs (6-5) are now in danger of losing their grip on the AFC West. The last NFL team to lose after starting 5-0 have now lost five of its last six games.

Kansas City still leads the AFC West, but could just be a game up in the division after Week 12. Three of Kansas City's final five games are against division opponents.

2. Taylor is the right player to lead the Bills — Taylor is careful with the ball and can extend plays with his legs. Benching him in favor of a rookie selected in the fifth round was rightfully questioned and that decision backfired on coach Sean McDermott. The first-year head coach was trying to create a spark with his team and he may have actually gotten it because the Bills have responded since Taylor took over the offense in the second half of last week's game.

Buffalo had a good game plan in place and the team's only touchdown of the game was a result of rolling Taylor to his left before hitting rookie receiver Zay Jones in the end zone.

With two games against both the Patriots and Dolphins over the final five games and a home game against the lowly Colts, the Bills (6-5) still in the thick of the playoff hunt in the AFC. Sunday's road win over the reeling Chiefs should give McDermott full confidence in Taylor.

3. The Chiefs have to rediscover their identity — When the Chiefs were 5-0, they were running the ball at will. Kareem Hunt, who entered Sunday as the NFL's second-leading rusher, had just 17 yards on 11 carries. The rookie from Toledo hasn't had a 100-yard rushing game since Week 5 and hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3.

The Chiefs have gotten away from what worked through the first five weeks — run the ball and let Alex Smith manage the game. When Smith is the team's leading rusher, as he was Sunday, the offense isn't performing the way Andy Reid expects it to. Injuries have played a part in Kansas City's struggles, but if they don't get things on track, the Chiefs will be home in January.