Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills had a situation that they would have been happy with to start Sunday night's AFC championship game.
They trailed the Kansas City Chiefs by three points, but with the ball and 3:33 to work with. It’s the type of situation that turns quarterbacks into legends and teams into champions.
There’s a reason, however, the Chiefs are a dynasty. At so many points over this era they’ve been in a situation with the game on the line, and almost every time they come up with enough plays to win.
The Chiefs’ quest for a historic Super Bowl 3-peat is still alive. The defense got the one stop it needed inside of the two-minute warning and Kansas City held on for a memorable 32-29 win.
A Kansas City blitz on fourth down forced Allen into hurrying a fourth-down throw, it fell incomplete to tight end Dalton Kincaid and the Chiefs took over on downs.
The Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.
It was another classic playoff matchup between the Chiefs and Bills. There haven’t been many great games in this postseason, but the AFC championship game provided one. To the chagrin of everyone hoping for someone to end the Chiefs’ seemingly never-ending run of success, Kansas City did what it usually does and made just enough plays to get them over the finish line and back to the Super Bowl.
KC's offense comes through in 1st half
The Chiefs’ offense has Mahomes but hasn’t been elite for a couple of seasons. Kansas City didn’t score more than 30 points in a game all season.
It wasn’t too hard for the Chiefs in the first half though. They had 21 points before halftime. They had a great drive to start the game, with Kareem Hunt scoring to give Kansas City an early 7-0 lead. The Bills rallied to take back the lead, but the Chiefs scored 14 points in a row after that. A huge play by Xavier Worthy, taking a ball away from a defender in the air, got the Chiefs to the 3-yard line and Mahomes ran it in on third-and-goal for a 21-10 Chiefs lead.
The Bills needed points before halftime and got them. Allen and Mack Hollins hooked up on a pretty 34-yard touchdown, with Hollins hauling in the pass as he was being interfered with on the play. The Bills went for the 2-point conversion after a penalty on the extra point got them closer to the goal line, but Allen’s quarterback sneak was stopped.
Still, a 21-16 deficit at halftime seemed manageable. As with most Bills-Chiefs games the past few seasons, it was setting up a tense, great second-half finish between two fantastic teams.
Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) hits Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the fourth quarter of Sunday's AFC championship game. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A thrilling 4th quarter
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle, and the Bills took the lead on a great play. On a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line James Cook was hit short of the goal line, but he kept himself off the ground and stretched the ball over the goal line for a touchdown. The Bills led 22-21. That drive included another fourth-down conversion, on a fourth-down keeper by Allen. Bills head coach Sean McDermott hasn’t always been aggressive on fourth downs in big games, but his boldness paid off with a Bills lead going into the fourth quarter.
A fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter wasn’t as successful. The Bills had trouble converting quarterback sneaks, and Allen was stood up when he tried for one on a fourth-and-inches. Allen was ruled short, the spot was reviewed and even though it was very close, the call stood. Buffalo turned it over on downs.
The Chiefs often take advantage of opportunities like that and did after Allen was called short. They drove downfield and Mahomes had a 10-yard touchdown run. A 2-point conversion gave Kansas City a 29-22 lead.
Then it was the Bills’ turn. Buffalo went for it on fourth-and-goal and Allen found Curtis Samuel in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. The game was tied again with 6:15 left to go.
It’s not like Mahomes and the Chiefs are nervous in that or any other situation. They drove quickly into Bills territory, helped by an obvious facemask penalty on linebacker Matt Milano. Worthy made another big play to get the Chiefs to the 10-yard line. A huge sack on first down set the Chiefs back, however. They had second-and-goal at the 17-yard line. Two incompletions later and the Chiefs had to settle for a field goal. They led 32-29, but with 3:33 left the door was open for Allen and the Bills to steal a win.
But the drive stalled near midfield, and instead the Chiefs were celebrating another AFC title.
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The Eagles and the Chiefs will meet again in the Super Bowl
Just two years ago, Kansas City and Philadelphia met in Super Bowl 57, with the Chiefs coming out on top 38-35. Patrick Mahomes was the MVP of the game, throwing for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jalen Hurts was brilliant, throwing for 304 yards and a score to go along with 70 yards on the ground and 3 rushing touchdowns. Outside of Hurts, the Eagles rushed for 45 yards on 17 carries (2.7 yards per carry) with their running backs, Kenneth Gainwell, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott. The Philadelphia running game will look just a bit different heading into this one.
Also, per BetMGM, the Chiefs have opened as the favorite at -1.5 for Super Bowl LIX, set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9.
Mahomes to Pacheco for the first down, and Kansas City is right on the cusp
Pacheco was marked out of bounds on this play, which is a big help for the Bills, but with 1:45 on the clock and two timeouts, Buffalo is in a spot where they may need a mistake from a K.C. team that has won 16-straight one-score games.
Two-minute warning and Buffalo is facing the biggest play of the season
It's 4th and 5 for the Bills at their own 47-yard-line and they do have three timeouts. The Bills are 4-of-5 on 4th down attempts tonight, and on a couple of 4th and goal plays they've scored touchdowns. This is the play of the year for the Bills offense and Chiefs defense.
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Josh Allen springs free for a first down
Sticky coverage led to this one by Allen. Pickup of 13.
Mahomes has to throw it away on 3rd down, and now it's 4th and goal from the 17
Big spot for Harrison Butker, who nails the 35-yard attempt with 3:33 to go and the Chiefs take a 32-29 lead. The ball goes back to the Bills now. Buffalo has three timeouts and the two-minute warning, and a touchdown would give the Bills the lead.
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Jordan Phillips with a MASSIVE sack on 1st down
Jordan Phillips pushed him all the way back on his way to the sack 😤
He picks up 12 and the Chiefs are near field goal range. Kelce has been quiet, with 2 catches for 19 yards.
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Huge penalty on the first play with Matt Milano flagged for a facemask
Kareem Hunt caught a pass to get near a first down, but tack on 15 more and K.C. is in Buffalo territory.
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ALLEN to CURTIS SAMUEL for the tie!
We're entering CLASSIC territory once again in this EPIC Chiefs-Bills rivalry. It was Allen's third or fourth read. He did a great job of staying patient in the pocket and the Bills offensive line was tremendous on this play. The Bills have now scored twice on 4th and goal plays.
This is his first career postseason game with two TD runs, and this one was a designed QB keeper. He's up to 45 rushing yards for the game, and then he hit Justin Watson to convert the 2-point try. Chiefs go up 29-22 with 10:14 left in regulation. THIS is the kinda game we all expected.
Allen sneak on another 4th down comes up VERY close
Allen was stuffed on yet another 4th down attempt on a QB sneak, but the officials can review it without a challenge because it involves a change of possession, if he were to have come up short.
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Josh Allen dives over the top on 4th down and CONVERTS
Allen fumbled the ball, but was able to make the recovery. Huge play to keep the Bills drive alive.
Josh Allen leaps over the pile and keeps possession for the first down 🐰
It's fourth down right at midfield now and the Bills let the third quarter expire to make the decision to start the fourth quarter.
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Chiefs go 3-and-out
Huge defensive stand by the Bills, helped out by a K.C. false start, and Buffalo has forced punts on both of the Chiefs' second half possessions. Buffalo's last series was 12 plays over 80 yards for a touchdown they scored on 4th and goal from the 1-yard-line. 73 of those yards were on the ground with Josh Allen, Ty Johnson and James Cook doing the lifting on that series.
Buffalo has opened up its play calling options with that drive, and is in position to make it a two-score game with under two minutes to go in the 3rd quarter.
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WHAT AN EFFORT BY JAMES COOK!!!
On 4th and 1, the Bills — who were stopped AGAIN on a Josh Allen sneak — run a speed option to the near side, and Cook made a huge play to get the ball into the end zone. The Bills failed on the two-point try and settle for a 22-21 lead.
GIANT play by Matt Milano, as Buffalo's defense finally gets a stop
Matt Milano, playing a spy, sacks Mahomes to set up the first Matt Ariza punt of the game, which flies into the endzone for a touchback. The Bills will have their first possession of the second half get started at the 20-yard-line.
Mahomes opens second half with first down scramble
11 more on the ground for Mahomes, who's up to 28 rushing yards on seven carries in the game, including five runs for first downs.
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Halftime: Chiefs 21, Bills 16
The Chiefs hold a 21-16 lead at halftime in Kansas City. (AP/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City's offense was the story of the first half for the Chiefs, which had 17 first downs and averaged 6.8 yards per play. Their four drives were:
9 plays, 90 yards — Touchdown 6 plays, 40 yards — Fumble (in Bills territory, on the 23-yard-line) 11 plays, 70 yards — Touchdown 6 plays, 34 yards — Touchdown
The Bills had some penalty trouble and a couple of 3-and-outs, but there were times when they moved the ball, particularly at the end of the half, when they were able to get a touchdown to cut into the Chiefs' lead. They'll need a little more from the offense, because if Kansas City's offense is going to stay in this rhythm they're going to need points to stay connected, because Patrick Mahomes turned in a classic postseason first half in the AFC title game.
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Chiefs stymie a two-point attempt to keep the score 21-16
Josh Allen's QB sneak attempt was stuffed — after a Chiefs penalty moved the ball to the 1-yard-line — and it could have turned into a disaster after he tried to pitch it back to Curtis Samuel, who was quickly wrapped up.
KC's defense holds strong on the two-point conversion attempt.
It starts with a penalty, an illegal formation for an extra offensive lineman not reporting as eligible. These are mistakes the Bills can't have on the road.
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Mahomes’ hot start continues with TD Pass to Xavier Worthy
This is a good throw by Mahomes, but this kind of speed you have to draft. Just unbelievable from Worthy, who's got 4 catches for 36 yards and this one puts K.C. back in front 14-10.
Patrick Mahomes has been VERY sharp to start the game.
He's opened 7-for-8 for 90 yards. He's averaged 306 passing yards per game and thrown 8 TDs with 0 interceptions in his three playoff wins against Buffalo.
Patrick Mahomes was near perfect to open the game for the Chiefs on Sunday. (AP/Ashley Landis)
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Chiefs pick up huge 4th and 1 on their own 39-yard-line
This 6-yard TD run came after Allen hit Shakir for a big gain to get the Bills to 1st and goal, and Cook now has 20 touchdowns, regular and postseason combined.
Ed Oliver jumps on the fumbled handoff, and it’ the Chiefs' first turnover since their Week 11 loss to the Bills. Huge play that could swing the momentum in this game. Kansas City's offense is averaging nearly 9.0 yards per play right now.
He's already done it a couple of times tonight, escaping the pocket for positive gains, and has two carries for 16 yards now. Kansas City has it with a second down near midfield with an injury timeout for Bills' DB Christian Benford, who is being carted off the field.
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Bills forced into long field goal
After Allen bobbled a second down snap, which brought up a 3rd and long, Tyler Bass was forced into a 53-yard field goal attempt, which he nailed — he's never missed from 50+ in the playoffs — to cut into the K.C. lead.
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Bills pick up their first 1st down of the game
Allen hits Kahlil Shakir for the Bills, and the move the sticks for the first time.
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Kareem Hunt runs it in from 12
Chiefs go 90 yards in nine plays for the TD to open the scoring. Mahomes was 4-for-4 for 61 yards and Hunt carried the ball three times for 22 yards and the score. K.C. was on fire that first drive.
Bills take the opening kickoff and quickly go three and out
Both of Josh Allen's passes got tipped by K.C. defenders and could have been intercepted, and the Chiefs will take over for their first drive at their own 10-yard-line
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The Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Super Bowl 59
Tonight's winner gets the Eagles in New Orleans in two weeks for all the marbles.
If you played this game 100 times, each team might win 50. The Ravens dominated the Bills earlier this season with Derrick Henry leading the way, but here are the keys to the rematch.
It was impossible not to notice that even as the Hurts-Nick Sirianni tension from last season simmers more calmly, the two nonetheless continue to tell different stories about their partnership.
In today's edition: Chiefs vs. Eagles (The Rematch), WNBA and NHL blockbusters, Sinner and Keys crowned champs, the "Quad God" completes the three-peat, Vandy's victories are getting expensive, Baker's Dozen, and more.
Saquon Barkley scored three touchdowns and Philadelphia forced four turnovers against Jayden Daniels and Washington to seal its second NFC championship in three years.
Kansas City's win over Buffalo was like many of its close-call victories this season: a little timing, execution, luck, talent and occasional controversy. The end result puts the Chiefs of the cusp of a Super Bowl three-peat.
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