Bills hold on to avenge playoff loss in Kansas City

The Bills faced the Kansas City Chiefs in their biggest game of the season yet this past Sunday in week six. Buffalo looked to avenge their heartbreaking divisional loss to the Chiefs last year. The Bills were coming off of a dominant showcase against the Steelers, while the 4-1 Chiefs looked to keep rolling after their close win over the Raiders. Notable Bills’ inactives for the game included wide receiver Jake Kumerow (ankle), and multiple healthy scratches highlighted by running back Zach Moss. 

Buffalo started with the ball and quarterback Josh Allen immediately tossed a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Gabe Davis to bring the team to about midfield. After multiple short rushes by running back Devin Singletary that pushed the team into the red zone, an unlucky shovel pass from Allen to wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie was dropped and the fumble was recovered by Kansas City. The Chiefs were able to drive the ball 80-yards down the field, but pressure from the Bills’ defense led to an interception by cornerback Kaiir Elam in the back of the endzone.

Towards the end of the first quarter, the Bills regained possession, and on the first play of the drive, Allen connected with wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a 31-yard catch-and-run to bring the ball to their 49-yard-line. Allen created an unbelievable 9-yard scramble for himself, but the team could not punch the ball into the endzone as the drive resulted in a 39-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Bass.

A quick yet effective drive by Kansas City gave the team the lead after a 42-yard touchdown pass from Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. The Bills responded with a long eleven-play drive that consisted of short completions and rushes, however, three straight incompletions from the three-yard line turned the ball back over. 

The Chiefs were able to shift the momentum toward them until linebacker Von Miller sacked Patrick Mahomes toward the end of the half which led to a punt. The Bills were forced to begin their drive from their two-yard line but after three completions the team scored with a long 34-yard catch as Gabe Davis blew past his defender to take the lead with sixteen seconds left on the clock. 

As we learned in the playoffs last year, the Chiefs do not need long to score, and they proved it again by completing two quick passes to put them into field goal range. An impressive 62-yard field goal by Kansas City knotted up the game at ten going into the half. 

The Chiefs opened up the half with a long drive that ended with a missed 51-yard field goal, keeping the game tied. The Bills took over at their 41-yard line and worked the ball downfield after multiple long completions before Stefon Diggs was able to grab the ball in the endzone for a 17-yard score. Kansas City responded immediately after another huge 41-yard play put the team in position to score another touchdown. 

With the game tied, the Bills were unable to take the lead, turning the ball over, but another huge play by Von Miller kept the Chiefs to a field goal. The Bills started their drive with 4:27 left and Allen kept them in the game as he converted a two-yard rush on fourth down. Two connections between Allen and Diggs brought the team to the Chiefs’ 28-yard line at which point Allen shocked the Kansas City crowd with a huge leap over the defender amidst a 16-yard rush. Allen was able to find tight end Dawson Knox on a hard-fought touchdown, giving the Bills a 24-20 lead with 1:04 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The dominant Bills offense could only watch and hope their defense would hold the lead as the Chiefs offense took the field for one last time. On the first play, however, Mahomes was intercepted by cornerback Taron Johnson, sealing the win for Buffalo. 

The Bills went into Arrowhead Stadium and stole a win from the Chiefs for the second straight season, proving that they are still the team to beat in the AFC. They turn next to their bye week before returning to Buffalo to play the Packers on Sunday Night Football in week eight.