The Bills were in complete control of the game as the first half was winding down, leading 14-0 and in possession of the ball. But then Josh Allen threw yet another inexcusable interception and naturally, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs capitalized.
KANSAS CITY – By now, it’s safe to say that the Buffalo Bills have grown pretty comfortable playing at Arrowhead Stadium.
After all, Sunday afternoon will be their fifth game at the home of the nemesis Kansas City Chiefs since January 2021 and while their two appearances in the postseason went poorly, they have won in back-to-back games here in the regular season, doing so in 2021 and 2022.
The only visiting team since 2016 that has won in consecutive years at Arrowhead are Kansas City’s AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, who like the Bills overcame what is widely considered to be the toughest environment to play in the NFL.
If the Bills don’t stretch their streak to three games, their tremendously underachieving season will reach critical mass because they will fall below .500 and their chances of earning an AFC playoff berth will dwindle precipitously.
That possession was crazy. The Bills began from their 25-yard line and after Josh Allen tightrope completion to Latavius Murray and a short pass to Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo was at midfield. Then offensive tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown were called for holding penalties, Josh Allen was sacked for 11 yards and Buffalo faced fourth-and-38 from their 19-yard line. Sam Martin punted 50 yards to the Chiefs’ 31.
Josh Allen makes the most Josh Allen play for first down
Josh Allen went school-yard football. Allen escaped pressure and somehow flipped the ball into the field of play as he was being pushed out of bounds on the left sideline. Running back Latavius Murray made a catch before the ball popped loose. The ball bounced around with players from both players nearly possessing it before it popped out of bounds. Kansas City challenged the play and it was upheld.
The Chiefs have scored touchdowns in two straight possessions spanning the second and third quarters. Kansas City went drove 75 yards in nine plays, including three that went for at least 11 yards. Patrick Mahomes completed to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for 15 yards to start the drive and then hit Travis Kelce for 11 yards. Later in the drive, Kelce made a 22-yard catch to reach the Bills’ 11. Mahomes capped it with a 4-yard touchdown to Rashee Rice in the back of the end zone.
Buffalo started with two straight first down plays. Josh Allen completed over the middle to Dawson Knox for 12 yards and James Cook followed with an 11-yard run. Two plays later, Cook scampered for 15 yards to the Chiefs’ 34. Khalil Shakir’s 12-yard catch put the Bills in the red zone. Tight end Dawson Knox was flagged for holding and Stefon Diggs got 8 yards back on a reception. Ty Johnson lost a yard on a catch and defensive tackle Chris Jones was called for a neutral zone infraction. On third-and-8, Allen was pressured and gained a yard. Tyler Bass made a 31-yard field goal.
Buffalo was in control for most of the first half until Josh Allen’s interception led to Kansas City’s first points. Allen has completed 14 of 25 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and interception. James Cook leads the Bills with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Patrick Mahomes is 13 of 21 for 130 yards and an interception.
Kansas City had done nothing on offense in four possessions, but then Allen, under pressure on a third-and-4, escaped to the right and tried to throw across his body to Trent Sherfield and Chamarri Conner picked him off at the Chiefs 48.
Mahomes quickly took advantage of the short field and marched the Chiefs 52 yards, the drive capped by a seven-yard TD run on third-and-4 by Jerick McKinnon and so now, the Bills lead is cut to 14-7.
You couldn’t have asked for a much better start for the Bills. The Chiefs have done nothing three possessions, and the Bills have now scored on their last two as they opened a 14-0 early in the second quarter.
This time, Josh Allen scored on a six-yard run, assisted by several players pushing him across the goal line ala the Eagles and their tush push. That play capped a 12-play, 73-yard drive and included a fourth-and-1 conversion when Allen avoided a sack and found Dalton Kincaid for the first down.
And James Cook, who scored the first touchdown, contributed heavily to this most recent scoring drive with a 12-yard run and a 27-yard pass reception.
One thing that has been evident since Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator: He wants to get Cook involved in the passing game and so far, the Chiefs have had no answers for that.
Buffalo won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Kansas City recorded three first downs and had second-and-5 from the Bills’ 30. Patrick Mahomes pass was tipped and intercepted by defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who returned it 7 yards to the Bills’ 47.
