Josh Allen completes comeback, exorcises demons in epic win
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs always make for incredible football. Today, was no different. The Bills and Chiefs battled it out, with the Bills eeking out a 24-20 victory over Kansas City. The win exorcised some demons after the infamous 13 seconds game in the playoffs last year. Additionally, the narrative that Josh […]
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs always make for incredible football.
Today, was no different. The Bills and Chiefs battled it out, with the Bills eeking out a 24-20 victory over Kansas City.
The win exorcised some demons after the infamous 13 seconds game in the playoffs last year.
Additionally, the narrative that Josh Allen and the Bills can't win close games is dead.
Even before the game, the franchise quarterback was locked into the matchup.
Normally, Allen leaves a smile and a wink with a thumbs up, today it was all business.
Turnovers early and often
Josh Allen was driving down the field, tearing apart the Kansas City defense.
Unfortunately, on an apparent RPO, Isaiah McKenzie fumbled the ball giving it right back to the Chiefs.
McKenzie had another costly mistake in the end zone at the end of the first half. The wide receiver was wide open in the end zone and slipped, causing a turnover on downs.
The same story happened to Mahomes during his first drive. Kansas City drove down the field before a costly interception to rookie Kaiir Elam in the back of the endzone.
In fact, this was the first time this century that both teams, during their opening drives, had a turnover in the red zone.
Josh Allen put on a show
Josh Allen started off red-hot before cooling down a little bit before the end of the first half.
The Chiefs' defensive coordinator pressured Allen, seemingly rattling the franchise quarterback before the last drive of the first half.
Allen, however, was able to shine throughout with his arm strength and ability to extend the play with his legs.
Allen's first-half numbers weren't historic like last week, he wound up going 13-23 for 180 yards and a touchdown.
Allen faced adversity during his last drive of the first half. On a third and long from within his own one-yard line, he was able to convert.
Fast forward a few plays later and Josh Allen connected with Gabe Davis on a laser for a touchdown before the end of the half.
Going into the second half, Allen was able to secure 13 straight completions, lighting up the Chiefs' depleted secondary. In fact, Allen broke a career-high with a pass to Diggs.
Josh Allen was everything we'd hoped he would be in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. Allen put the team on his back and shined, yet again. Allen completed the comeback with a touchdown to Dawson Knox with under two minutes left to go.
The MVP-front runner finished his day going 27 – 40 with 329 yards and three touchdowns.
Patrick Mahomes put up a fight
Patrick Mahomes is an incredible quarterback, and today was yet another example of that.
However, for the first time in his entire career, Mahomes was an underdog at home.
Mahomes was able to carve up the Bills' defense early and often as the defensive line struggled to get to the star quarterback early. His first touchdown was a highlight reel play where he was able to avoid the pressure and find his receiver.
Mahomes ended the first half with eerily similar numbers to Allen. He finished the first half by going 13-23 for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The star quarterback found Travis Kelce early and often, wreaking havoc on the Bills' defense. Kelce has a history of dominating the Bills and today was no different.
Unfortunately, Mahomes ended his day with a costly interception that sealed the deal for Buffalo.
Mahomes finished his day going 25 – 40 with 338 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Bills success running the football
The Bills were dominant on the ground. Surprisingly, before the game the Bills' scratched Zack Moss which meant the duties would be left to Devin Singletary and James Cook.
Singletary made his presence known with dominant rushes throughout the game. The young running back was able to power through for impressive yards after initial contact.
Singletary's early success forced the Chiefs' defense to respect the run, which allowed Allen to have success against the Chiefs' secondary.
Leading up to the game, Singletary had 40 rushes for over 170 yards on the ground. Singletary finished his impressive day with 17 carries for 85 yards.
The real star of the show was Allen, yet again. While he didn't lead the team in rushing, his 32 yards on the ground were crucial.
Perhaps the biggest run of the game was another highlight reel run from the star quarterback.
Red zone woes
One of the biggest weaknesses for the dominant offense is getting a touchdown inside the 20-yard line, something the team looked to clean up throughout the season.
Josh Allen and the Bills continued their inability to score in the red zone. Early in the game, the Bills were 0 for two with some costly mishaps that left points off the board.
Mahomes and the Chiefs struggled as well, they were one for zero in the red zone in the first half.
However, the red zones woes didn't matter as the Bills were able to score when it mattered most. The Bills finished their day in the red zone going two for four.
Penalties
Fans of both teams were frustrated with the calls made during the matchup. The first half was almost a farce with how many penalties were thrown.
This trend continued throughout the second half, taking away from two star quarterbacks in their prime battling it out.
Anytime referees swing the games, and not the teams battling it out, it's a disservice to the fans and the entire league.
Not only that, but Bills fans were clamoring for apparent holding calls all game from the Chiefs' offensive line.
Late in the fourth quarter, a blatant tripping penalty was missed, forcing the Bills to punt which gave the ball right back to Mahomes. A devastating blow to the team.
The game totaled 12 total penalties for 93 yards.
Von Miller is worth every penny
Another game, another dominant Von Miller performance.
Miller had not one but two huge sacks in this game.
Miller's leadership has been one of the most underappreciated parts of his game. He has completely transformed the Bills' defensive line into a dominant force.
Pressuring Patrick Mahomes while avoiding the blitz was a big talking point heading into the matchup.
Miller, during the most crucial part of the game, pressured Mahomes which allowed Taron Johnson to step in front of his pass to seal the game.
Johnson has a history of late-game heroic interceptions.
Stefon Diggs finally made his presence known
Diggs, during the playoff game, was non-existent. The star wide receiver made his presence known throughout the matchup.
Allen was able to connect with Diggs for multiple big-yard plays including an impressive touchdown to cap off the Bills' first drive after half-time.
Late in the fourth quarter, Diggs made his presence known with 3 crucial catches late in the fourth quarter.
The star receiver ended his day with 10 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.
Second half adjustments
Coming into the matchup, the Bills have only allowed seven total points. However, the Chiefs are second in the NFL as they have scored 77 total points in the 2nd half of games.
The Bills, for a brief time, were able to keep their third-quarter scoreless streak alive as Butker missed a 51-yard field goal to open the Chiefs' first drive.
With 2:44 seconds left in the third quarter, the Bills' scoreless streak ended with a Mahomes touchdown to Mecole Hardman.
When you are facing Patrick Mahomes, the bend-don't-break philosophy was one that Leslie Frazier incorporated.
The defense ended the day allowing 14 second-half points and a total of 387 yards.
This one felt good
Beating the Chiefs was a huge step for this Bills team.
The win now has the team sitting in first place in the AFC and looking at home-field advantage in the playoffs.
We have a really good feeling these teams will meet again.
This time, hopefully, it's in Buffalo.
Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
