QB Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs player to watch. Despite the fact that all five of his divisional playoff games have taken place at Arrowhead Stadium, he has never lost. The two-time NFL MVP will be traveling for the first time during the postseason. The one and only time Mahomes played at Highmark Stadium, he prevailed—but that was in the midst of the 2020 epidemic, when no spectators were present. After ending the Bills’ second season in the previous three years, he also seemed to have the Bills’ number.
BILLS PLAYER TO WATCH: Josh Allen, the quarterback, will have to throw a lot more passes to counter a defense that might be without a few important starters. Allen just finished a four-TD, no-turnover game that includes a 52-yard scoring run that set a franchise playoff record. Allen has completed 55 of 85 passes for 616 yards with six touchdowns and an interception in the two previous playoff games with the Chiefs, both of which were losses.
Key Matchup: Chiefs TE vs. Bills D Kevin Travis. It remains to be seen who on Buffalo’s thin defense will take on the difficult task of covering Kelce due to injuries. Kelce has 21 receptions for 214 yards and three scores in two postseason games, including a game-winning interception in OT two years ago. One major contributing factor to the Chiefs’ defeat to Buffalo last month could have been Kelce. In the waning minutes, a rare offensive offside call against Kadarius Toney negated the tight end’s lateral to Toney, which would have resulted in the game-winning score.
KEY INJURIES: Following their absence from the Miami wild-card game, the Chiefs may be able to use LT Wanya Morris (concussion) and Toney (hip) after Jones (knee) and DT Derrick Nnadi (elbow) missed practice this week. The Bills have a lengthy list. Backup S Taylor Rapp (calf), backup LB Baylon Spector (back), backup CB Christian Benford, and backup wide out Gabe Davis (knee) are all sidelined. Starting nickelback Taron Johnson has six days to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol, while starting linebacker Terrel Bernard (right ankle) is unlikely to participate. P Due to his hamstring injury (left), Sam Martin is doubtful; this week, Buffalo added Matt Haack to the practice squad. Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) and starting CB Rasul Douglas (knee) could play again after missing one game each.
The Chiefs have hosted the past five meetings between the teams since 2020, when they last faced off for the seventh time overall, including a third playoff meeting. The two founding teams of the American Football League have split their last six games. In the postseason, Kansas City has prevailed twice, first in the AFC championship game in 2020 (38-24) and again in a divisional round matchup the following year (42-36 in overtime). Buffalo lost the game in 2021 despite having a three-point lead in the last 13 seconds of regulation. Buffalo and the Chiefs have a 3-2 postseason record, with the Bills having won twice in the 1990s.
Stats and information: The Chiefs are on track to make their sixth consecutive AFC championship game as they are in the divisional round for the sixth time in franchise history. The Dolphins were restricted to seven points by Kansas City, which is more than 22 points less than their season average. Miami had 264 yards but was just 1 for 12 on third down. … Mahomes must pass Drew Brees (37) for No. 6 on the postseason roster with two touchdown passes. To move up to fifth place, he needs to pass Peyton Manning (40). … With 140 postseason catches, Kelce is second only to Jerry Rice (151) in NFL history. With eight catches for 130 yards against Miami, Rashee Rice set rookie marks for the Chiefs in a postseason game. The square footage was
