Kansas City Chiefs Edge Buffalo Bills 32-29: Patrick Mahomes Outduels Josh Allen to Secure Third Straight Super Bowl Berth

"Patrick Mahomes Shines with Three TDs as Chiefs Defeat Bills 32-29 to Advance to Super Bowl LIX Against Eagles"

Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a thrilling 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for two more. The Chiefs now face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on February 9 in New Orleans.

In a nail-biting finish, Josh Allen and the Bills fell short after a fourth-and-five gamble from their own 47-yard line. Facing relentless pressure from Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, Allen’s desperate throw to tight end Dalton Kincaid went incomplete, sealing the Chiefs’ win.

Kansas City now looks to make NFL history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Awaiting them are the Saquon Barkley-led Eagles, who earned their spot by defeating the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. The stage is set for a Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs, live on Sky Sports NFL from 10 p.m.

Stats leaders

Buffalo Bills

Passing: Josh Allen, 22/34, 237 yards, 2 TDs

Rushing: James Cook, 13 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs

Receiving: Mack Hollins, 3 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD

Kansas City Chiefs

Passing: Patrick Mahomes, 18/26, 245 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: Kareem Hunt, 17 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD

Patrick Mahomes, 11 carries, 43 yards, 2 TDs

Receiving: Xavier Worthy, 6 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD

"Chiefs Strike Early as Mahomes and Offense Outshine Bills in AFC Championship Thriller"

The Kansas City Chiefs made an electric start in their AFC Championship clash against the Buffalo Bills, with Patrick Mahomes and the offense looking unstoppable from the opening drive. Kareem Hunt capped off a nine-play, 90-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, set up by a 31-yard catch-and-run from JuJu Smith-Schuster over the middle.

Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills responded with a 53-yard Tyler Bass field goal and later capitalized on a rare Chiefs turnover. Ed Oliver wrestled the ball away after a botched handoff by Mahomes, setting up James Cook's six-yard touchdown run following Khalil Shakir’s crucial third-and-13 conversion.

But Mahomes and the Chiefs bounced back swiftly. On fourth-and-one, Mahomes scrambled to extend the drive before connecting with Xavier Worthy for an 11-yard touchdown, restoring Kansas City's lead in a pulsating first half.

The AFC Championship Game was filled with drama as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills exchanged blows in a gripping encounter. Patrick Mahomes extended the Chiefs' lead to 21-10 in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run, set up by a controversial 26-yard catch from Xavier Worthy that many believed hit the ground. Despite protests, the play stood.

Buffalo fought back before halftime, narrowing the gap to 21-16 with Mack Hollins’ impressive 34-yard catch against star cornerback Trent McDuffie. The Bills then claimed their first lead in the third quarter, as James Cook's remarkable one-yard stretch for the goal line capped a seven-minute, 80-yard drive, putting them ahead 22-21 after a failed two-point attempt.

Sean McDermott's aggressive fourth-down strategy defined Buffalo's second-half approach. Josh Allen’s two-yard sneak on fourth-and-one early in the fourth quarter was a success, but a subsequent fourth-and-short call was denied amid a chaotic pile-up, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Mahomes capitalized immediately, rushing for a 10-yard touchdown and connecting with Justin Watson for a two-point conversion to reclaim the lead. Allen responded with a four-yard touchdown pass to Samuel on fourth down, keeping the Bills within striking distance with 6:15 remaining.

"Chiefs' Defense Delivers as Mahomes and Reid Seal AFC Championship Win Over Bills"

The Kansas City Chiefs relied on their defense and a touch of Andy Reid's offensive genius to secure a 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game. With the game on the line, Jordan Phillips gave the Bills a glimmer of hope, sacking Patrick Mahomes for a seven-yard loss after Worthy's electric 23-yard catch-and-run had brought the Chiefs to the 10-yard line. Kansas City settled for Harrison Butker's 35-yard field goal, regaining a slim 32-29 lead.

As time dwindled, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo showcased his signature flair, dialing up an exotic blitz that forced Josh Allen into desperation. Allen's deep heave towards Dalton Kincaid fell incomplete, extinguishing Buffalo's hopes of a last-second miracle.

Andy Reid then put the finishing touch on the victory, designing a clever catch-and-run play for Samaje Perine to convert a crucial third-and-nine, sealing the Chiefs' trip to Super Bowl LIX. The win marks Kansas City's continued dominance as they set their sights on an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER

Bills 0-7 Chiefs Kareem Hunt 12-yard rushing TD (extra point)

Bills 3-7 Chiefs Tyler Bass 53-yard field goal

SECOND QUARTER

Bills 10-7 Chiefs James Cook six-yard rushing TD (extra point)

Bills 10-14 Chiefs Patrick Mahomes 11-yard TD pass to Xavier Worthy (extra point)

Bills 10-21 Chiefs Patrick Mahomes one-yard rushing TD (extra point)

Bills 16-21 Chiefs Josh Allen 34-yard TD pass to Mack Hollins (failed two-point attempt)

THIRD QUARTER

Bills 22-21 Chiefs James Cook one-yard rushing TD (failed two-point attempt)

FOURTH QUARTER

Bills 22-29 Chiefs Patrick Mahomes 10-yard rushing TD (successful two-point attempt)

Bills 29-29 Chiefs Josh Allen four-yard TD pass to Curtis Samuel (extra point)

Bills 29-32 Chiefs Harrison Butker 35-yard field goal

What was said?

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: "I'm so proud of my teammates and how they responded. That was a great football team we played. It's not about one guy or a couple of guys... it's about the whole entire team. That's why it's so special.

"I'm lost for words and excited for New Orleans."

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid: "Our hats go off to Buffalo. They've got a tremendous team and Coach McDermott is a phenomenal coach... I'm proud of him. They fell just a little bit short, but we're glad at that. What a heck of a game it was for the fans and for the NFL."

Sky Sports NFL's Ndamukong Suh: "Any team going up against the Chiefs has to almost have a perfect game, especially in the tight situations and the key moments. In those key moments, the Bills just came up short on this particular day. That's unfortunate and the Chiefs sealed the deal."

Sky Sports NFL's Jason Bell: "It's why this game was so competitive, because of Josh Allen, because of his will. Number 17 played a great game but ultimately he just couldn't seal the deal."

What's next?

The 2024 NFL season reaches its conclusion on Sunday February 9, when the Chiefs and Eagles face off at Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, live on Sky Sports NFL.