Kansas City Chiefs – Buffalo Bills : 32-29
In a playoff meeting that has become a classic, the two best teams in the AFC conference, Chiefs and Bills, delivered an anthology show. At the end of an exciting encounter and a breathtaking final, it was once again the Chiefs who snatched victory and remained in the race for an incredible hat-trick.
The Chiefs had not exceeded 30 points this season, they waited for the conference final for that, proof if it was still needed to what extent this team is cut out for big meetings and has a mentality of steel.
The key moment: 4th failed attempt by the Bills
There was no shortage of major moments in this AFC final, but the Bills’ last failed attempt sealed the fate of the match. Forced to at least go for the field goal to win overtime, Buffalo and Josh Allen have their backs to the wall. Quickly stuck in the middle of the field, Allen has no choice but to attempt a 4th attempt with 5 yards to go. Faced with crazy pressure from the Kansas City line, the quarterback attempts a desperate pass. Kincaid cannot grab the leather, the Chiefs regain control of the ball and head towards New Orleans.
Le MVP : Xavier Worthy
The rookie receiver had an almost perfect game. He greatly contributed to getting his attack out of the rut and moving the chains. A contribution that amounts to 101 cumulative yards and a touchdown that he went for. His speed and availability have been valuable weapons for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
The flop: Travis Kelce and arbitration
Usually brilliant in big matches and a key man in his team’s success, Travis Kelce went through the meeting like an almost anonymous person. Only 2 balls caught and 19 small yards. He stood out more for his provocations towards his opponents than for his contribution to the game.
One day perhaps, the level of the refereeing body will be up to the challenge. Questionable decisions to say the least, handkerchiefs thrown at (very) late notice, in the richest and most powerful sports league, we have the right to expect something else.
At state: 4
The Bills lost for the 4th time in 5 years against the Chiefs. Despite an ascendancy in the regular season, again proven last November, Buffalo stalled against Patrick Mahomes in the elimination matches. A 4th defeat in the form of a complex which will be anything but easy to overcome in the future.
The match film
If Buffalo had difficulty getting the machine going, the Chiefs as regulars did not need to break in. 90 yards collected in 9 plays, and Kareem Hunt is already entering the end zone. The double champions seem launched and serene. Not so much. On the following series, Mahomes messed up and lost the ball twice. If the first is unfairly canceled by the referees, the second is indeed stolen by Buffalo.
Josh Allen and especially James Cook gain momentum and begin to install their game. The turnover is enhanced into a touchdown by a good effort from the runner.
-But it takes more to make Andy Reid’s men panic, even more in front of their home crowd. Mahomes moves forward. Unvarnished but efficient, he connects the passes. The rookie Xavier Worthy has been on his feet since the start of the match, and he is the one who goes for the touchdown in the corner. A defensive stop, and a 40-yard punt return and Kansas City is already back in the red zone. The quarterback himself concludes on the ground.
The match keeps all its promises and the two teams go blow for blow. Just before the break, Allen found Mack Hollins deep for a 34-yard touchdown.
Returning from the locker room, Buffalo’s defense tightens the game. Matt Milano puts Mahomes on the ground, and Buffalo forces the opposing punt for the first time in the game. Rebelote on the next series. Between pressure and good coverage, the Chiefs must return the leather very quickly. Conversely, the Bills offense holds the ball, and shows it. More than 7 minutes gone, and James Cook’s undermining work on the ground works. The running back even gets his second touchdown of the evening and allows his team to go ahead for the first time.
But with the game in hand, the ascendancy on both sides of the ball, the Buffalo attack slowly but surely begins to thwart. The game is stereotyped and the leather has all the difficulty in the world moving forward. After a first alert on a 4th attempt finally succeeded by Allen, the Chiefs managed to stop the next one. And the punishment is immediate. Five plays later Mahomes goes at it alone. And he adds 2 points on the conversion by Justin Watson.
But in the legendary match, legendary final. Josh Allen revives his team again. On a 4th attempt in the form of a cleaver, the quarterback connects with Curtis Samuel. Equality.
In a stifling finale, and after a field goal from the Chiefs, the Bills have 3 minutes to at least go for the equalizer. Under pressure from a defense unleashed on a 4th attempt in the form of a match point, Allen did not find his target. Kansas City flies to New Orleans and the Super Bowl.
And now ?
Super Bowl 59 will be the remake of Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs will attempt their incredible three-peat against the Eagles, easy winner of the Commanders and champion of the NFC conference. Without having shone, they are there to try to write the most beautiful page of the NFL in the Super Bowl era.
For Buffalo, this is a 4th defeat in as many playoff games against the Bills in the Josh Allen era. A curse that all the talent of the quarterback and his team cannot break. Once again, we will have to get up, strengthen ourselves and hope to finally defeat this Indian sign to find a Super Bowl which has eluded them since 1994.
