n a packed Buffalo stadium, quarterback Josh Allen delivered a signature moment, bouncing off two Kansas City Chiefs defenders and barreling into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown that sealed the Bills’ 30-21 victory. Receiver Khalil Shakir, like thousands of fans in the stands, couldn’t contain his excitement.
“When Josh takes off, I find myself just watching, like, ‘Wow, he’s different,’” Shakir said. “When he took off today, I just started yelling. I couldn’t stop yelling. I was blanking in the head.”
MVP Chants Ring Out in Buffalo
The pivotal fourth-and-2 play with 2:17 left capped a standout performance by Allen, who kept the Bills (9-2) in contention for the AFC’s top seed and ended the Chiefs’ (9-1) quest for an undefeated season. Fans erupted into chants of “MVP! MVP!” as replays of Allen’s determined dash played on the big screen.
“I appreciated coach for trusting us,” Allen said of head coach Sean McDermott’s decision to go for it rather than settle for a field goal. “Any time you give the ball back to Pat (Mahomes) and that offense, down six with the game on the line, I like their odds in that situation.”
Allen’s grit wasn’t just offensive; it was strategic. The touchdown made it a two-score game, forcing the Chiefs into desperation mode. Buffalo’s defense ultimately clinched the game when linebacker Terrel Bernard intercepted Mahomes on Kansas City’s final drive.
Chiefs’ Perfect Run Ends
The Chiefs, the NFL’s last undefeated team, saw their 15-game win streak (including playoffs) snapped. Mahomes, who finished with 196 yards, three touchdown passes, and two interceptions, acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic.
“The undefeated thing was cool, but that’s not our ultimate goal,” Mahomes said. “That’s a good football team. Nothing to hang your head on losing to them. We’ll get back to work and use this as a spark to be a better football team in the end.”
Head coach Andy Reid echoed the sentiment, noting the game offered valuable lessons for his team. “The margin between winning and losing is small. We can all learn from it,” Reid said.
Allen’s Record Night
Allen, who finished with 262 yards passing, two total touchdowns, and an interception, showcased his dual-threat capabilities. His rushing touchdown, the 58th of his career, moved him past O.J. Simpson into second place on Buffalo’s all-time list. He also tied Jim Kelly for most total touchdowns in franchise history with 244.
“Records are cool, but wins are better,” Allen said, downplaying the significance of his achievements.
Dominance in the Regular Season
Buffalo’s win continues their regular-season mastery over Kansas City, marking their fourth consecutive regular-season victory over the Chiefs since 2021. However, postseason success remains elusive, with the Chiefs having won three straight playoff meetings, including a nail-biting 27-24 victory in last season’s divisional round.
Key Contributions
James Cook fueled Buffalo’s offense with two first-half rushing touchdowns, while Allen connected with Curtis Samuel for a 12-yard score early in the fourth quarter. The Bills never relinquished the lead after Tyler Bass’s 33-yard field goal closed the first half.
Kansas City’s offense, however, struggled to find its rhythm. Despite three touchdown passes from Mahomes—two to Noah Gray and one to Xavier Worthy—the Chiefs managed a season-low 259 yards of total offense.
Looking Ahead
Buffalo heads into their bye week riding a six-game win streak and in a strong position to claim their fifth straight AFC East title. Meanwhile, the Chiefs face a regrouping challenge as they prepare for the stretch run of the season.
“This is not the finish line,” McDermott said of the win’s significance. “We’ve got work to do.”
Despite playing through injuries, including a sore throwing hand for Allen, the Bills look poised for a deep playoff run. The victory over Kansas City serves as a statement win and a potential preview of another playoff clash between these two AFC powerhouses.
