NFL fans got a late Christmas present on Monday when the buffalo bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, setting up a showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Playoffs.
The two AFC powers will meet in the postseason for the third time in four years, in what has essentially become an annual tradition.
The Kansas City Chiefs offense sets up at the line of scrimmage before the snap against the Buffalo Bills defense on December 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
buffalo and Kansas City They have been the two best teams in the conference over the last few years, and the two organizations have the longest active streaks of 10-win seasons.
Sunday night's matchup will be for the right to play in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens or the Houston Texans. It will be the first road playoff game of Patrick Mahomes' career as Kansas City looks to advance to its sixth straight conference championship game.
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“We've played in a lot of big games,” Mahomes said Wednesday, according to ESPN. “I'm excited for the challenge. I grew up watching those [Tom Brady-Peyton Manning] games and I remember how many memories I have of that, and hopefully we can play in these great games too and give memories to the kids that come after us.”
Let's take a look at the last two playoff games between the Bills and the Chiefs.
2020 AFC Championship Game
The first playoff meeting between two of the NFL's young star quarterbacks went in Mahomes' favor.
In Buffalo's first championship game since 1994, Mahomes lit up the Bills' secondary for 325 yards and three touchdowns. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill surpassed 100 yards receiving as Kansas City advanced to the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills watches during the first half against the Eagles in Philadelphia on Nov. 26, 2023. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
jose alen He threw for 287 yards and rushed for 88 in his fourth postseason game, but Kansas City won 38-24.
The Chiefs would lose to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
2021 AFC Divisional Round
The Chiefs and Bills played one of the greats NFL playoff games at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022. So good, in fact, the NFL was forced to change its overtime rules.
Mahomes and Allen went toe-to-toe for five quarters before the Chiefs prevailed. Kansas City took a 26-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter before things got a little crazy.
Allen threw two touchdown passes in the quarter and Buffalo took a 36-33 lead with just 13 seconds left in the game. Kansas City inexplicably found a way to go 44 yards in 10 seconds, setting up Harrison Butker for a 48-yard field goal that tied the game and sent the game into overtime.
Kansas City won the toss and marched down the field for a game-winning touchdown from Mahomes to Kelce. In 2021, an overtime touchdown ended the game without each team gaining a possession.
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Patrick Mahomes, left, of the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills meet after their game in Kansas City, Missouri, on Dec. 10, 2023. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
“This time it worked out for us,” Mahomes said after the game. “When you have two teams going back and forth, it sucks when you can't see the other one going. But all you can do is follow the rules the way they're explained, and that's what we did.”
The Chiefs would lose to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.
The public outcry was overwhelming, and most were upset that the game was decided by a coin flip.
In March 2022, NFL owners approved new overtime rules to allow both teams to have possession of the ball. The only way the game ends without both teams receiving the ball is through a safety by the receiving team on the opening possession of overtime.
NFL fans have the Bills and Chiefs to thank for extended overtime in the playoffs.
2023 AFC Divisional Round
The next chapter of the rivalry will have a different aspect.
For the first time, Mahomes will go on the road in the playoffs as the Chiefs head to orchard park with a berth in the AFC Championship Game on the line.
The Bills enter the game red-hot, winners of six straight after defeating the Steelers in the wild card round. Allen was spectacular against the Steelers, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for 74 yards and a score.
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills talks with Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs after their game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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Despite their postseason failures against Kansas City, Buffalo has had the Chiefs' number during the regular season, winning the last three matchups, including a Week 14 victory at Arrowhead.
“The Bills are a big challenge,” Mahomes said, according to ESPN. “I think everyone understands that they've gotten my number plenty of times. We were lucky enough to get them to the playoffs, but they beat us earlier this year. So, we understand that we're going to have to do it.” “Play our best football to win the game, especially on their field, but it's not about ending someone's season for us.”
“It's just about moving forward, trying to find a way to survive and advance and get to the next round, and whatever it takes this weekend, we're going to try to do it and try to go out and win a football game.”
Kansas City comes into the matchup on a three-game winning streak after a season filled with unusual struggles.
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Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sideline before the game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
After starting the season 6-1, the Chiefs lost five of their eight games as the offense struggled. Mahomes and Kansas City got back on track in the final two weeks of the regular season before completely beating the Miami Dolphins last week.
“They've been to the top of the mountain, they know what it takes to get there,” Allen said after Wednesday's practice, according to the Bills website. “We still have to do that. As a competitor, as a player, to be in a situation like this is something you dream about.”
Buffalo and Kansas City start Sunday at 6:30 pm ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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