ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The 1972 Dolphins will stand alone in their perfection for yet another year. The previously unbeaten Green Bay Packers stumbled for the first time on Sunday, dropping a 19-14 decision to the Chiefs and ending their bid for a perfect season.

“Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers on their great effort this season,” said former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese, a member of the ’72 team that finished 17-0 and won the Super Bowl. “It just goes to show how difficult going undefeated is over the course of a year. Hats off to Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy for the effort they have made this season.”

The defending Super Bowl champion Packers had started out 13-0 before losing Sunday in Kansas City.

Long sits out

A back injury caused Dolphins left tackle Jake Long to miss the first game of his NFL career. Long sat out Sunday’s game with the injury, which he sustained the previous week.

“Talk to the guys who played,” Long said following Sunday’s win against the Bills.

John Jerry replaced Long at left tackle.

Despite Long’s absence, the offensive line created openings for Reggie Bush, who rushed for 203 yards, and held the Bills to three sacks of quarterback Matt Moore.

The line gave up nine sacks by the Eagles the previous week, eight after Long left the game with an injury.

“Kudos to John [Jerry] for the job he did today,” Bush said. “He did a really good job at protecting Matt and opening up holes today. He made it really easy for us.”

Long had started 63 consecutive games before sitting out Sunday.

Cool reception

Vontae Davis has no desire to live in a cold climate.

But after intercepting two passes on Sunday, he said he doesn’t mind playing in one.

“Being in Miami, I haven’t seen snow since college,” said Davis, who now has four interceptions to match a career high for a season. “I don’t want to stay [in Buffalo], but I kind of miss it.”

Reshad Jones also picked off a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass. The three interceptions were the most in one game this season by the Dolphins.

First victory

Todd Bowles accomplished something that Don Shula didn’t in his first game as a Dolphins head coach: win.

“It was more of a team win,” said Bowles, who took over after Tony Sparano was fired Monday. “I’m happy for those guys. They fought hard all week, dealt with some adversity early in the week, and I was just happy to get a win to ease everything up.”

Of Miami’s eight previous coaches, only Jimmy Johnson and Nick Saban — in addition to Bowles — won their first game with the Dolphins.

• Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas, who spent most of his career with the Bills but also played for the Dolphins, was given his choice of which locker room to visit before Sunday’s game. He chose the Bills.