Following their epic showdown in 2022, Mahomes and Allen were anticipated to face off in the post-season numerous times. Prior to their most recent match-up, some speculated whether they could develop a rivalry akin to legendary quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
This was Allen’s best opportunity yet to outshine his off-season golf buddy in the playoffs, as the Chiefs’ recent dominance meant Mahomes’ 16th playoff game was his first on the road.
Buffalo held possession for 37 minutes, 14 more than the visitors, and 27-year-old Allen rushed for two touchdowns. However, Mahomes capitalized on his opportunities with the ball, passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns to Travis Kelce.
After a cautious start, Allen scored his first touchdown in the second quarter, and the Chiefs narrowed the deficit to 10-6 with their second field goal.
The lead changed hands five times over the next 20 minutes, with Kelce diving into the corner for a 22-yard score, followed by Allen’s charge to give the Bills a 17-13 lead right before half-time.
In just three minutes of the third quarter, Mahomes led the Chiefs downfield and back into the lead through Kelce’s second touchdown, surpassing Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski for the most TD connections in playoff history (16).
Allen threw a 13-yard pass to Khalil Shakir to cap off a Buffalo drive lasting more than eight minutes, and at the start of the fourth quarter, Isiah Pacheco surged over to put the Chiefs back in front.
This set the stage for a tense finish, and Buffalo turned over the ball on downs before Kansas City’s Mecole Hardman fumbled while reaching for the end zone.
Buffalo breathed a sigh of relief as the Chiefs failed to recover a fumble by Allen, and the Bills kept the drive going to set up a 44-yard field-goal attempt with less than two minutes left.
However, Tyler Bass sent the kick wide right, much like Scott Norwood did in 1991 as the Bills suffered the first of four straight Super Bowl defeats. Their latest loss to Kansas City extends their wait to return to the NFL’s title game.