By The Associated Press’s Dave Skretta
Kansas City, Missouri. At Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night, everything appeared so familiar: Travis Kelce kissing Taylor Swift, grabbing the microphone, pleading with fans to continue partying the night away, Andy Reid hugging Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, and Patrick Mahomes lifting the AFC championship trophy as confetti showered down.
A opportunity for an extraordinary three-peat had been earned by the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
On the way, they had once again dismissed the Buffalo Bills.
This time, the Kansas City defense’s crucial stops, two more touchdowns running, and Mahomes’ arm and legs—245 yards throwing and a touchdown—were what kept the team from losing to the Bills 32-29 in the AFC championship game.
“I don’t take it for granted, and it’s just so difficult to get to the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said, adding that it was amazing to repeat the experience at Arrowhead Stadium. When you glance around the stage after receiving the trophy, you notice that every seat is occupied; it’s a unique moment.
The Eagles, whom the Chiefs defeated for the championship two years ago, will be a familiar opponent in the big game. Philadelphia defeated the Commanders 55-23 earlier Sunday to secure a trip to New Orleans to play the champions on February 9.
The Chiefs have terminated the Bills’ playoff run for the fourth time since January 2021. It followed a heavyweight bout between two of the AFC’s best teams, which ended in a 29-all draw after Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen found Curtis Samuel in the end zone to add a little more drama to the conference title game.
But Mahomes was just unflappable. He put the Bills in another do-or-die position in Kansas City by completing four straight passes on the next series, which led to Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal with 3:33 remaining.
On Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, Patrick Mahomes, 15, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, fumbles during the first half of the team’s NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
Although Allen ran for a first down to start their drive, his next two throws were swatted at the line of scrimmage. The Bills decided to go for it after he connected Amari Cooper for a short gain on third down. At that time, they were 4 of 5 on fourth downs, and the Kansas City blitz pushed Allen to raise his hand in the hopes that Dalton Kincaid would be unable to corral far downfield.
After taking control and gaining a few first downs, the Chiefs started to rejoice once more.
It’s not about just one individual, as I’ve constantly stated. It has nothing to do with a couple of men. Mahomes stated that the team as a whole is the focus. The defense got stops when we needed them to. We made plays, offence. We are so unique because of this.
With its tenth straight playoff victory, Kansas City became just the fourth team to reach at least three consecutive Super Bowls, led by a touchdown run from Kareem Hunt and six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown from Xavier Worthy.
Clark Hunt, whose father Lamar’s name is on the AFC championship trophy, remarked, “Every one of these is so special.” Today’s game is amazing. Travis, Patrick, and their teammates consistently manage to complete tasks. All year long, such was the case. And kudos to Coach Reid and his outstanding team. The opportunity to do something that has never been done before is now ours.
On Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) jumps into the end zone for a score against Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game. Ashley Landis/AP Photo
James Cook ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns of his own, while Allen passed for Buffalo for 237 yards and two scores.
However, the Bills have yet to make it to the Super Bowl since a four-game streak in 1990–93.
“I love them,” said Bills coach Sean McDermott, “and I told them they have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Since Kansas City defeated Buffalo in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium under identical circumstances to go to the Super Bowl in January 2021, the Bills and Chiefs have met eight times and have become close over the years.
In the regular season, Buffalo has won each of its four games. In the postseason, Kansas City has won the four crucial games.
As the game progressed, all of that familiarity was apparent, as was the fact that McDermott had previously worked for Reid. While Kansas City tried all in its power to prevent Allen from defeating him with his arms or legs, the Bills refused to allow Kelce to defeat them, as he did against the Texans in the divisional round.
On Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) scores a touchdown reception against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann for AP)
Following a wild first half, the Chiefs led 21-16 going into the locker room.
As the teams traded the lead, Worthy had a touchdown reception and Mahomes and Kareem Hunt rushed for scores. Cook made it to Buffalo’s end zone, and Mack Hollins’ incredible touchdown catch shortly before halftime kept the Bills in the game.
Cook barely crossed the goal line for a touchdown, the Chiefs stopped Allen inches from the marker on fourth down, Mahomes blasted into the end zone for a touchdown, and the Bills responded with a 70-yard drive in which their MVP-candidate quarterback hit Samuel on fourth-and-goal to tie the score at 29 all. The second half was still a game of inches.
Fifty-three minutes and forty-five seconds were no longer relevant. It all boiled down to the game’s final 6:15.
Hey, that’s football. The loss is painful. Von Miller, a pass rusher with the Bills, stated that’s what makes this game what it is. We exerted every effort to prevail. And simply ran out of time, you know.
Injuries
Christian Benford, a cornerback for the Bills, was taken off during the first quarter after being ruled out due to a concussion. Before being authorized to play on Sunday, he had been in the concussion protocol for the whole week.
Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, delivers a touchdown pass in the first half of Sunday, January 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, during the AFC Championship NFL football game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. (Photo by Ed Zurga/AP)
Up next
For the second time in three years, the Chiefs will travel to the Big Easy to play the Eagles in the Super Bowl. They overcame a 24–14 halftime deficit in the first game, winning 38–35 thanks to a 27-yard field goal by Butker.
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