Final score: Chiefs defeat Bills 32-29, advance to Super Bowl LIX

Kansas City is headed for New Orleans — and maybe a date with history.

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance following a 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s AFC Championship on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs will now face the NFC’s Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9.

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First quarter

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The Chiefs won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The AFC Championship began with a Harrison Butker touchback to start the Bills at their own 30-yard line. Quarterback Josh Allen started with a four-yard run before nearly throwing interceptions on the next to plays. The Chiefs did not get the turnover, but they held the Bills to a three-and-out. Nikko Remigio called for a fair catch of Sam Martin’s punt to start the Chiefs at their own ten-yard line.

Patrick Mahomes was complete on his first to throws to wideout Hollywood Brown to quickly gain 19 yards. On second-and-1 from the 29-yard line, Mahomes scrambled for four yards to move the chains. After rookie Xavier Worthy caught a ten-yard pass, Isiah Pacheco took the game’s first called run for three-yards. On the next play, Mahomes found JuJu Smith-Schuster on the run for a 32-yard gain to the Bill’s 23-yard line. Kareem Hunt then came on the field to churn ten hard-earned yards over the next two plays to set up a first down at the 12. The veteran then rumbled for the remaining dozen yards for a touchdown. Butker’s extra point sealed a 7-0 lead for the Chiefs.

The Bills again started at the 30 after another touchback, but an illegal formation foul would ultimately start them five yards further back. Tight end Dalton Kincaid caught a pass for 11 yards on first-and-15. After running back Ty Johnson gained only a yard, Allen found wide receiver Khalil Shakir for a first down gain to the Bills 49-yard line. Allen was incomplete deep on first down under heavy pressure from George Karlaftis before a nine-yard throw to Amari Cooer and a sneak by Allen set up first-and-10 at the Kansas City 40. James Cook gained five yards, but most of that was lost as Allen fumbled the snap on second down. On third-and-9 from the Chiefs’ 39-yard line, Allen’s pass to Shakir gained only four yards. Kicker Tyler Bass came on for a successful 53-yard field goal to trim Kansas City’s lead to 7-3.

Remigio returned the kickoff to the 35-yard line to start the drive. Mahomes was incomplete deep to Brown on first down, but picked up 12 yards on a scramble on the next play. On first-and-10 from the 44-yard line, Worthy gained eight yards on a rush. After an injury timeout, an offsides penalty on Buffalo moved the drive to the 43-yard line, the Chiefs appeared to be moving with a 12-yard rush by Hunt and an eight-yard pass to Worthy. Mahomes could not get the handoff to Pacheco on second down, however, and the Bills fell on the loose fumble to take possession at their own 28.

Cook started the drive with a nine-yard run. The first quarter came to an end with Cook forcing ahead for two yards for a new set of downs at the Buffalo 40.

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Second quarter

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The second frame stated with Allen eluding pressure to find Cook on the run to the Kansas City 44. Allen was incomplete deep on the next play, but a defensive holding call against Nick Bolton gave Buffalo a first down at the 39. Rookie runner Ray Davis gained four on first down, but Justin Reid stopped Shakir for a four-yard loss on the next play. On third-and-9, Allen read a zero blitz to find Cooper for a new set of downs at the 28. Mike Danna dropped Allen for a ten-yard loss on the next play, with the quarterback narrowly keeping a fumble. A short throw to Hollins set up third-and-13. Allen found Shakir for a 24-yard pass to the six-yard line. Cook found a small opening take the first down carry to the end zone. Bass’ extra point gave Buffalo a 10-7 lead.

Remigio took the kickoff for a touchback to the 30. Mahomes’ first pass to Travis Kelce with for an eight-yard first down gain, but Hunt could not gain the needed yards on the next two downs. After a time out, the Chiefs left the offense on the field for fourth-and-one from their own 39. Mahomes scrambled for six yards and continued the drive. A one-yard Hunt carry was followed by a ten-yard pass to Worthy for a first down at the Buffalo 44. Mahomes found DeAndre Hopkins for ten more yards. Pacheco gained six yards over the next two plays, and the Chiefs called their second timeout of the drive with third-and-4 looming at the Buffalo 27. Mahomes found Worthy for a key conversion, and a facemask penalty on Buffalo moved the ball to the 11. Mahomes found Worthy for a touchdown on the next play. Butker’s extra point gave the Chiefs a 14-10 lead.

Another touchback saw the Bills take over at their own 30 with 4:13 remaining in the first half. Nick Bolton broke up Allen’s first down throw to Kincaid, and receiver Curtis Samuel could not hold onto a second down pass. On third-and-10 from the 30-yard line, Allen was incomplete to rookie Keon Coleman, resulting in a three-and-out. Remigio fielded Martin’s punt at the Chiefs’ 25-yard line — and returned it 41 yards to the Bills’ 34 to start the Chiefs’ drive with 3:39 remaining in the half.

Hunt gained a quick five yards before Kelce dropped a screen pass on second down. On third-and-five, a scrambling Mahomes threw up a prayer that Worthy somehow fought through safety Cole Bishop to bring down at the three-yard line. Mahomes was incomplete to Hopkins in the end zone. A short carry by Pacheco brought the first half to the two-minute warning with the Chiefs facing third-and-goal from the one-yard line. Mahomes kept the ball and rushed into the end zone. Butker’s extra point extended the Chiefs’ lead to 21-10.

Ray Davis returned the kickoff to the Buffalo 26-yard line to start the drive with 1:48 remaining until halftime. Jaylen Watson was called for a pass interference penalty for a new set of downs at the 36, and Cooper gained nine yards on first down. Two short runs by Johnson put Allen in position for a 12-yard pass to Coleman. After an incomplete deep shot, Allen found Hollins on the next play for a 34-yard touchdown. Bass’ extra point was initially called good, but the Bills elected to attempt a two-point conversion from the one-yard line after Justin Reid was called offsides. Allen was stopped short of the goal line, and the Bills were only able to trim the Chiefs’ lead to 21-16.

Remigio brought the kickoff out of the back of the end zone to the Kansas City 22-yard line. Mahomes kneeled to end the half.

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Third quarter

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Remigio returned the second half kickoff to the 25-yard line. The Chiefs’ first offensive snap saw Mahomes deliver an 11-yard scramble. Hunt escaped what appeared to be a four-yard loss on the ensuing first down to be pushed for an eventual three-yard gain. After a Buffalo penalty gave Kansas City a first down, the Chiefs appeared set to execute trick play, but Pacheco fell down making a catch, limiting it to a two-yard gain. After a five-yard Hunt gain, Mahomes found Brown for a 16-yard gain to the Buffalo 36. The drive would stall, however, after Hunt lost a yard on first down. Mahomes was incomplete on second down, and he was sacked at the 42-yard line on third-and-11. Matt Araiza’s first punt on the night hit the end zone for a touchback, giving Buffalo the ball at the 20-yard line.

Buffalo’s first play of the second half was a five-yard run by Cook. On the next play, Cook eluded Nazeeh Johnson for a 33-yard gain to the Kansas City 42. Three short runs brought up fourth-and-1 at the 33, and Allen moved the chains to continue the drive. Allen fooled everyone with a disguised handoff to Johnson before keeping it to set up first-and-goal at the ten. After an eight-yard pass to tight end Dawson Knox, Allen came down just short of the goal line on third down. On fourth-and-goal from the one, Cook caught a short pass and just extended the ball over the goal line for a touchdown. Allen was brought down in the backfield on the two-point conversion, giving Buffalo a 22-21 lead.

Remigio downed the kickoff in the end zone for a touchback. Hunt was held to no gain on first down, and the drive ended with a three-and-out two plays later. Shakir fielded Araiza’s punt at the Buffalo 24-yard line and advanced six yards to the 30 to start the drive.

A four-yard Cook run followed by a Chiefs penalty quickly gained nine yards. He gained nine-more yards a play later. Neither Davis nor Allen could gain the final yard on the next two plays, and the third quarter came to an end with Buffalo facing fourth-and-1 from their own 48-yard line.

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Fourth quarter

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Allen gained the needed yard to open the final frame. From midfield, the Bills gained nine yards on three plays to set up another fourth-and-1. This time the Chiefs narrowly kept Allen from converting, and the stop was upheld on review. The Chiefs took over at their own 41.

Mahomes started the drive with a seven-yard rush before finding Smith-Schuster for 29-yard gain to the Buffalo 23. Hunt moved the ball to the ten over the next two plays to set up first-and-goal. Mahomes faked a handoff to Hunt before keeping it for his second rushing touchdown of the night. The face of the league connected with wideout Justin Watson in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion to give the Chiefs a 29-22 lead.

Another touchback started the Bills at the 30. Cook gained nine yards on a first down pass. A 23-yard pass to the back then moved the ball to the Kansas City 38-yard line. After two ineffective rushes set up third-and-8 from the 36, Allen found Hollins at the four for 32 yards. The Chiefs held Allen to no gain on first before the quarterback was incomplete on the next two downs to set up fourth-and-goal. Allen found Samuel in the back of the end zone, and Bass’ extra point tied the game at 29-29.

Remigio took the kick in front of the end zone and advanced to the 33-yard line to start the drive. After a six-yard pass to Hunt, a facemask penalty moved the ball into Bills’ territory. Mahomes and Kelce connected on an 11-yard gain. Two plays later, Worthy caught a 23-yard pass to set up first-and-goal at the ten. The drive stalled, however, as Mahomes took a sack on first down before being incomplete on his next two throws. Butker came on for a 35-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 32-29 lead.

A touchback started Buffalo at their 30 with 3:33 remaining in regulation. Johnson was stopped in the backfield to lose a yard on first down before Allen rushed for 13 and a new set of downs a play later. Allen was incomplete on his next to passes before finding Cooper for a five-yard gain on third down. The game reached the two-minute warning with the Bills facing fourth-and-5 from their own 47-yard line. Allen was incomplete deep to Kincaid, and the Chiefs took over.

After Hunt gained a yard on first down, Pacheco moved the chains for a new set of downs. Crucially, however, he was forced out of bounds to stop the clock. After two short runs saw the Bills call their final two timeouts, the Chiefs faced third-and-9 at the Buffalo 35-yard line with 1:35 remaining. After not touching the ball the entire game, running back Samaje Perine took a short pass 17 yards for a new set of downs, icing the game. After Mahomes knelt twice, the clock hit 0:00, keeping the Chiefs’ threepeat hopes alive. For the second time in three seasons, the Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles for the Lombardi Trophy, this time at Super Bowl LlX in New Orleans.

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Injuries

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In the first quarter, safety Justin Reid left with training staff. He returned later in the drive.

Wide receiver Nikko Remigio appeared to be injured returning a kickoff in the first quarter. He returned in the second quarter.

Running back Kareem Hunt left the field with trainers in the second quarter before returning two plays later.

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Special Teams

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Wide receiver Nikko Remigio recorded a 41-yard punt return in the second quarter to start a Kansas City possession at the Buffalo 34-yard line.

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Statistics

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