The Kansas City Chiefs no longer have to worry about chasing the 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, they may have to worry about the 2024 Buffalo Bills chasing them.
The Chiefs came in with a perfect 9-0 record, but the Bills defeated them in a 30-21 victory. Suddenly, the 9-2 Bills are just one loss behind Kansas City in the standings, and the head-to-head tiebreaker is in place. The race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC is on.
Josh Allen’s 26-yard touchdown run on a fourth down just before the two-minute warning was the knockout punch that other teams have been unable to land against Kansas City this season.
The Chiefs had escaped with narrow victories all season, such as last week when they blocked a short potential game-winning field goal in the final game against the Denver Broncos. Ultimately, in bizarre fashion, the Chiefs would not win a close game. The Bills’ aggressive play-calling in the fourth quarter, going for it instead of attempting a field goal that would have given them five points, was the difference.
The Bills were the right team to hand the Chiefs their first loss. It could be a costly affair for Kansas City.
Buffalo starts hot
Buffalo has played well for most of the season and has competed hard against the Chiefs in recent seasons despite some heartbreaking playoff losses to Kansas City. The Bills started fast, picking off Patrick Mahomes when Mahomes tried to force a pass while going down on a sack. That led to a Bills touchdown and some early momentum.
The game was close throughout, but the Bills always seemed to be one step ahead. They were never more than a point behind in the match. The Bills offense wasn’t explosive against a good Chiefs defense, but Josh Allen made enough plays to keep Buffalo moving. They led 23-14 early in the fourth quarter.
But it’s the Chiefs who never get out of contention. And all of Buffalo knew it.
Kansas City got a touchdown from tight end Noah Gray, his second touchdown of the game and Mahomes’ third passing touchdown. That cut the Bills’ lead to 23-21. Buffalo was in a big spot, with a chance to put the Chiefs away with a long touchdown drive.
They got the long drive, but it didn’t end in a touchdown. The Bills found themselves in Kansas City territory and had an interesting decision. On fourth-and-2, instead of attempting a field goal from about 45 yards out, Buffalo went for it with 2:27 to go.
Then Allen made a spectacular play that could be big in the AFC playoff race.
Josh Allen gives the Bills an edge
Allen dropped back and began scrambling, had a pump fake near the line of scrimmage and ran through the attempted tackles of three Chiefs defenders. That 26-yard touchdown put the Bills ahead 30-21 with 2:17 remaining.
The Bills understood that kicking the field goal would give Mahomes a chance to beat them in the final minute. They went for the kill shot and were rewarded.
That could be a huge move in the AFC this season. The Bills will still need the Chiefs to stumble at least once again to have a shot at No. 1, but getting a bye and home field advantage would be huge. It wouldn’t guarantee anything — the Chiefs showed last season they’re capable of winning on the road in the postseason, including at Buffalo — but it would be a big help.
Kansas City is chasing a historic third straight Super Bowl this season. They were unscathed in the first nine games. One Allen touchdown run might have made the road back to the Super Bowl significantly more difficult.