CBS broadcasters talk too much about the Bills in the third quarter of Sunday's game.

Sept. 21, 2014 3:05 PM PT

Good intentions went awry Sunday in the CBS telecast of the Chargers’ 22-10 victory over the Bills.

When former Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly joined the three-man broadcast crew that included former Bills receiver Steve Tasker, it was as if neither the Chargers nor the game itself continued to exist for the next seven minutes.

The four men talked about Bills history, recent Bills events and Kelly’s thoughts on young Bills quarterback EJ Manuel. It was a bison-lovefest.

Fine if it had been brief, but the gaggle of talkers lost track of the game and largely ignored Buffalo’s 11-play, 67-yard drive even as a touchdown cut San Diego’s lead to 20-10.

There was no mention of Chargers trainers checking on linebacker Donald Butler, who jogged off afterward. Nor was Dwight Freeney’s sack noted.

The telecast was aired in San Diego, not just Buffalo.

Kelly belonged in the booth, for sure. His heroic fight against cancer is a national story. I enjoyed hearing the 54-year-old whose cancer-free diagnosis earlier this month is bigger news than the outcome of any Bills-Chargers game.

Kelly and his supportive family are inspiring. It’s neat that ex-Bills players still feel a strong bond with Bills fans. Kelly’s deep friendship with his former backup Frank Reich, the Chargers’ playcaller, could’ve made for interesting fodder.

But CBS had aired an excellent pregame feature on Kelly. A halftime interview with him would’ve been terrific. Shoehorning him into the game coverage may have worked, had the Chargers forced a quick punt. When the game took a turn, the telecast came off like a lengthy Bills infomercial.

San Diego Chargers 22, Buffalo Bills 10

9/21/2014 at Ralph Wilson Stadium

CBS gave us too much Bills

San Diego Chargers 22, Buffalo Bills 10

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