KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The rivalry between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs has thrived over the past four years, with the two teams meeting seven times during that period. Kansas City safety Justin Reid acknowledged that the Super Bowl champions now operate under the assumption they will face the Bills twice each season—once during the regular season and once in the playoffs. This preparation has become a key strategy for the Chiefs, who dedicate their offseason to analyzing Buffalo’s offensive and defensive schemes, setting their sights on the playoffs. Despite the Bills winning all four regular-season contests and previously defeating the Chiefs once this season, Kansas City has managed to win all three postseason encounters.
On Sunday night, the Chiefs will aim for an unprecedented third consecutive Lombardi Trophy, while the Bills look to break a streak of playoff frustration and capture the AFC championship by finally overcoming Kansas City. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen shared his determination, reflecting on past disappointments: “You always remember the feeling of not pulling through. That sticks with you for a while, and it really doesn’t leave,” he said, emphasizing the valuable lessons learned over the years. “We’re just grateful and humbled to have another opportunity at it.”
The excitement surrounding this matchup is underscored by the star-studded roster on both teams. Allen is a strong contender for the MVP award this season, while his counterpart Patrick Mahomes already boasts two of these titles. The Bills feature talents like James Cook and Amari Cooper on offense, along with Gregory Rousseau and Von Miller on the defensive side. The Chiefs will field stars such as Travis Kelce, DeAndre Hopkins, Chris Jones, and Trent McDuffie. Fans can expect a spectacular atmosphere, possibly enhanced by the presence of Taylor Swift in a luxury suite.
Patrick Mahomes noted the significance without overemphasizing it. “I don’t think anyone is making this too big of a moment. Everybody knows how big it is,” he said, while also emphasizing the importance of sticking to their routine and process. The Chiefs have been successful and surely want to maintain that momentum. The Bills, on the other hand, remember their previous heartbreaks against Kansas City, with several playoff losses marked by narrow margins. In the 2020 AFC title game, for instance, Buffalo started strong but got outscored significantly afterward. In another heartbreaking defeat during the 2021 divisional round, Allen’s late touchdown was ultimately undermined by Mahomes’ game-tying drive and subsequent overtime loss.
Reid elaborated on the nature of their encounters with the Bills, remarking, “It feels like a divisional game. We know them really well; they know us. We’re preparing for each other because we know we’ll face each other twice, as it seems to happen every year.” The competitive spirit is palpable, making this matchup an exciting event for fans.
Historically, the Bills have struggled in road playoff games under coach Sean McDermott, holding a 0-4 record. Their last road playoff victory dates back to the 1992 season AFC championship game. Heartbreaking losses have included two overtime defeats and the notorious “Music City Miracle” from 1999, where a last-second kickoff return spelled disaster.
In terms of risk-taking, McDermott isn’t known for excessive gambling on fourth downs, yet he has been notably successful this season. Buffalo converted 16 out of 22 opportunities for a commendable conversion rate of 72.7%, ranking them second in the league. This marks a significant improvement from his first season as head coach, where they converted just two out of fifteen attempts. McDermott reflects on his growth, saying, “You grow through the years. You learn things… But you continue to try to put your team in position to win.”
The Chiefs will benefit from the return of key players who missed the previous meeting with the Bills, including pass rusher Charles Omenihu and cornerback Jaylen Watson. Their presence could prove invaluable in containing Allen and the Bills’ offense come Sunday.
Turnovers have also been a crucial factor, with the Bills boasting an impressive plus-24 turnover differential in the regular season, while the Chiefs stand at plus-6. Mahomes emphasized the impact of ball security in playoff success, stating, “Every team that’s won ball security, won the turnover battle, has won the game so far. That is important to us.” Allen and his squad have done an excellent job maintaining possession this season, adding pressure on the Chiefs to match that standard.
Getting to Allen, however, presents a formidable challenge. The Chiefs showcased their defensive strength last week against the Texans, recording eight sacks—only the second time in franchise playoff history that they achieved this feat. Yet, Allen has proven elusive, being sacked just 17 times during the regular season and evading a single sack from Kansas City in their last matchup. Coach Andy Reid acknowledged this challenge, stating, “Once you have ahold of him, you’d better know he’s going to be difficult to bring down.”
