Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs passes in the National Football League American Football Conference Divisional Game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, January 21, 2024. /AP
The Kansas City Chiefs edged the Buffalo Bills 27-24 in the National Football League (NFL) American Football Conference (AFC) Divisional Game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday, advancing to the AFC Championship Game.
The Chiefs will play the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 28 for the AFC title and the right to appear in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on February 11.
The two teams were nearly unstoppable offensively in the first three quarters of Sunday's game as only one of their 10 drives ended with a punt. The Bills scored three touchdowns and one field goal. The Chiefs turned five of their drives into two field goals and three touchdowns and led 27-24 when the fourth period began.
Tight end Trevis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the National Football League American Football Conference Divisional Game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, January 21, 2024. /AP
The Bills were nearly unstoppable in rushing thanks to the dominant performances by their quarterback (QB) Josh Allen and running backs James Cook, Ty Johnson. The team rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns with 39 carries. Both touchdowns were scored by Allen. He also completed 26 of his 39 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown with no interception.
The Chiefs were not as superb as the Bills in rushing, but they weren’t too far behind, especially when running back Isiah Pacheco received the ball. He rushed for 97 yards and one touchdown with 15 carries. Their QB Patrick Mahomes is also a smart runner. He, Pacheco and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire all finished at least one long run of over 20 yards in the game.
Mahomes beat Allen in passing accuracy as he threw 17-of-23 for 215 yards and two touchdowns with no interception. Tight end Travis Kelce and wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice, all completed deep connections from more than 25 yards with Mahomes. Kelce scored both the Chiefs' receiving touchdowns.
Kicker Tyler Bass of the Buffalo Bills reacts after missing a field goal in the National Football League American Football Conference Divisional Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, January 21, 2024. /AP
Both sides lost their magic on the offensive end in the fourth quarter, partly because their defensive groups began to work in accordance with the opponents' style of playing. Cook found it more and more difficult to speed up. Mahomes had less time to think in the pocket as the defenders tried to blitz him with more aggression.
The Bills made two lethal mistakes that cost them Sunday's game. They tried to launch an attack on a 4th & 5 in the fourth quarter, but failed. As a result, the Chiefs could set up their drive at the Bills' 32 yards. Mahomes passed to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. to score a touchdown that almost killed the suspense, but the play was reversed as a fumble, allowing a narrow escape for the Bills.
After the two teams exchanged two punts in their following drives, the Bills had the chance to leave as little time as possible for the Chiefs and to score either a game-winning touchdown, or a game-tying field goal. It took them 16 plays to progress 54 yards forward in 6:40. In the end, the team needed to shoot a 44-yard field goal at 4th & 9 with 1:47 left. Kicker Tyler Bass missed that shot, handing the win over to the Chiefs.
Players of the Detroit Lions celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the National Football League National Football Conference Divisional Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, January 21, 2024. /AP
In the National Football Conference (NFC) Divisional Game earlier on Sunday, the Detroit Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. QB Jared Goff completed 30 of his 43 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns with no interception for the Lions. His Bucs counterpart Baker Mayfield threw 26-of-41 for 349 yards and three touchdowns, but he also passed two interceptions.
The Lions will play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on January 28.