Josh Allen and Buffalo Bills hand Kansas City Chiefs first loss of the season

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season, winning 30-21 in a highly anticipated AFC showdown at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The win marked the Bills’ 9th victory of the season and a significant milestone in their quest for playoff positioning. For the Chiefs, it was their first defeat of the year, dropping their record to 9-1.

The game got off to a rough start for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had been playing at an MVP level all season. On the first possession of the game, Mahomes threw an interception, allowing the Bills to capitalize on the turnover. Buffalo running back James Cook punched in a three-yard touchdown to give the Bills an early 6-0 lead, though they missed the extra point.

Despite the early setback, Mahomes, a two-time Super Bowl champion, bounced back in typical fashion. In the second quarter, he found rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a 10-yard touchdown pass, giving the Chiefs a 7-6 lead. The Bills responded immediately, with Cook scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game, putting Buffalo back in front.

However, the game’s momentum continued to swing. With just over seven minutes left in the first half, Josh Allen threw an interception to Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner, which set up a touchdown pass from Mahomes to tight end Noah Gray. Kansas City took a 14-13 lead. But Buffalo would regain the advantage before halftime, as kicker Tyler Bass nailed a 33-yard field goal, giving the Bills a 16-14 lead at the break.

The second half started slowly, with neither team scoring in the third quarter. In the fourth, the Bills managed to extend their lead to 23-14 when Allen connected with wide receiver Curtis Samuel on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Chiefs, not ones to go down easily, responded with a Mahomes-to-Gray touchdown, his second of the game, to cut the deficit to just two points at 23-21.

The tension was palpable in Orchard Park as the game reached its final moments. The Bills, determined to break their recent streak of tough losses to Mahomes and the Chiefs, found themselves with a critical fourth-down situation inside Kansas City’s 30-yard line. Allen, known for his athleticism and ability to make plays under pressure, scrambled out of the pocket, eluding the Chiefs’ pass rush, and dove into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown, effectively sealing the game and putting the Bills up 30-21.

With Buffalo’s defense smelling victory, they forced Mahomes to throw his second interception of the game, all but ending Kansas City’s hopes of a comeback. The Chiefs, who had been remarkable in close games, including a 9-game streak of comeback wins when trailing by seven or more points, saw that run come to a halt. This loss also snapped their 15-game win streak, which included regular season games, playoffs, and even a Super Bowl title.

For the Bills, the win was a significant statement. Josh Allen solidified his position as an MVP contender with a strong performance, throwing for 262 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also contributed with 57 rushing yards and a touchdown. Mahomes, on the other hand, threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns but was undone by two costly interceptions, which played a pivotal role in the outcome of the game.

After the game, the two quarterbacks shared a moment of respect on the field, with Mahomes, who is a two-time MVP, telling Allen, “We’ll do it again, baby.” Allen, who now holds a 4-1 regular season record against Mahomes, acknowledged the win but downplayed its significance in the grand scheme. “It was just another Week 11 win,” Allen said. “Knowing how things usually play out, we’ll see this team again at some point. We have to get there first.”

While Allen’s success over Mahomes in the regular season has been well-documented, it’s worth noting that Mahomes has a perfect 3-0 record over Allen in the playoffs, so the rivalry remains far from settled. The Bills will now enjoy a bye week before hosting the San Francisco 49ers on December 1. The Chiefs, meanwhile, will travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers next week.

With the Bills’ win, the AFC playoff race continues to tighten, and fans can expect more intense matchups between these two powerhouse teams as the season progresses.