Get ready for Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen: Playoff Edition Part III.
However, the twist in this matchup doesn’t revolve around the possibility of spotting Taylor Swift at Buffalo’s renowned wing joints. From a football standpoint, the noteworthy shift is that the Kansas City Chiefs (12-6) are departing from the chilly familiarity of Arrowhead in January to enter the equally freezing and snowier territory of Highmark Stadium for the AFC divisional round playoff clash on Sunday night.
Rather than being serenaded by the “Tomahawk Chop,” the Chiefs will be greeted by a fanbase better known for trashing folding tables and which celebrated Buffalo’s playoff-opening rout over Pittsburgh by throwing tufts of snow in the air like confetti on Monday.
Though this will be Mahomes’ second trip to Western New York following the Chiefs’ 26-17 regular-season win in 2020, it’ll be the quarterback’s first true playoff road game.
Fittingly, it’s Buffalo, where the Bills (12-6) and their fans have long fantasized over how home-field advantage might turn the tables after two of their past three playoff runs ended in Kansas City.
There was the lopsided 38-24 blowout loss in the AFC championship game in the 2020 season.
More immemorable was the heart-wrenching 42-36 overtime loss in the divisional round a year later in a game dubbed “13 Seconds” by Bills fans.
Prepare for Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen: Playoff Edition Part III. However, this time, the twist doesn’t involve potential sightings of Taylor Swift at Buffalo’s famous wing joints. From a football perspective, the significant change is that the Kansas City Chiefs (12-6) are leaving the chilly comforts of Arrowhead in January and heading to the equally frigid and snowier Highmark Stadium for an AFC divisional round playoff showdown on Sunday night.
Unlike the familiar “Tomahawk Chop” at Arrowhead, the Chiefs will be met by a fanbase known for trashing folding tables and celebrating Buffalo’s playoff-opening rout over Pittsburgh by throwing snow in the air like confetti.
While Mahomes has visited Western New York before, this marks his first true playoff road game. Fittingly, the game takes place in Buffalo, where the Bills (12-6) and their fans have dreamed of home-field advantage turning the tables after two recent playoff runs ended in Kansas City.
The memories of a lopsided AFC championship loss in 2020 and a heart-wrenching overtime defeat in 2021 still linger for the Bills. This season, Buffalo earned the right to host the game with a win at Kansas City on Dec. 10, sparking a five-game winning streak to close the season and secure their fourth straight AFC East title.
However, the Bills are aware that beating the Chiefs won’t be easy, having split their previous six meetings, including playoffs, since 2020. Coach Sean McDermott acknowledges the challenge, especially after the Chiefs’ dominant playoff-opening win over Miami.
Adding to the complexity, the Bills face a shorter week due to a rescheduled playoff opener caused by a lake-effect storm. Injuries are also a concern, with key players on defense hurting in the previous game.
Despite the challenges, quarterback Josh Allen remains optimistic, counting on the energy from the passionate “Bills Mafia” to make a difference. The Bills’ running attack, providing balance with 179 yards against Pittsburgh, is identified as a positive aspect. However, the team’s training staff is dealing with injuries, including punter Sam Martin.
LB A.J. Klein’s impactful performance and PK Tyler Bass’s struggles are highlighted in the stock report. Coach McDermott, having faced former college teammate Mike Tomlin, now confronts his mentor in Kansas City coach Andy Reid, as McDermott was part of Reid’s staff in Philadelphia from 1999-2010.