Bills vs. Chiefs Divisional Round Preview: Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen Saga Continues

Bills vs. Chiefs Divisional Round Preview: Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen Saga Continues

The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills will host the No. 3-seeded Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium, where Buffalo is 5-1 in playoffs since 2017. However, the Bills have yet to beat Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs in the playoffs.

The Divisional Round matchup is highlighted by two of the most exciting quarterback in the league in Josh Allen and Mahomes. History shows to expect a thrilling battle. The last time the teams met in the AFC Divisional Playoff round was in 2021, a.k.a. the "13 seconds game" when Buffalo lost in overtime, 42-36. 

Buffalo looks to get after Mahomes in his first road playoff game of his career. This season, Mahomes led Kansas City to its eighth-straight AFC West title and completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Mahomes, Allen / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Keep an eye on Chiefs rookie Rashee Rice, who has stepped into a reliable receiving role for an offense that's lacked a consistent passing game. In one of the coldest games in NFL history, the Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins, 26-7 in the AFC Wild Card and Rice caught 8 of 12 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown.

Buffalo earned its sixth-straight win on Monday, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-17. To start their current six-game win streak, the Bills defeated Kansas City 20-17 in December. Things have now come full circle a bit in the playoffs. 

The Bills' season has been full of ups and downs, but fortunately for them, they are on a postseason high. Allen is a rollercoaster and is fresh off making NFL history in the Wild Card victory: Allen became the first player in playoff history to throw three or more touchdowns while also rushing for 70+ yards and a touchdown in a playoff game.

WEATHER REPORT: Temperatures are predicted to be a high of 26 degrees and a low of 18 on game day with WSW at 16 mph. Small chance of snow for Sunday but a midweek storm could impact travel in Western New York and snow removal issues at Highmark Stadium as the week rolls on.

FLASHBACK: Over the past three years, the Bills have made the AFC Championship game once and lost in the Divisional Round twice.

REGULAR SEASON RECORDS: Buffalo Bills (11-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)

ODDS: Buffalo is a 2.5-point favorite vs. the Chiefs 

GAME TIME: Sunday, Jan. 21st, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Highmark Stadium - Orchard Park, NY

TV/RADIO: CBS, 98.5 FM THE SPORTS HUB

THE FINAL WORD:

“It’s going to take a team effort,” Allen said of the Chiefs. “They’re playing really good football right now. We’re going to need everyone in Bills Mafia to come out and support us… just thank God we get to play another football game.”