Mahomes Leads Chiefs 32-29 Past Bills in AFC Championship Thriller

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Mahomes Leads Chiefs 32-29 Past Bills in AFC Championship Thriller/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes’ brilliance, edged the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game to advance to their third consecutive Super Bowl. Mahomes tallied three touchdowns—two rushing and one passing—and Harrison Butker’s late field goal sealed the victory. The Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, aiming for an unprecedented three-peat.

Donna Kelce, Andrea Swift and Taylor Swift, from left, watch play between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Chiefs’ AFC Championship Win: Quick Looks

Game Highlights: Mahomes threw for 245 yards, scored three total touchdowns, and led the Chiefs’ game-winning drive.
Bills’ Resilience: Josh Allen threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bills fell short again in the playoffs.
Defense Shines Late: Kansas City’s blitz forced Allen into a failed fourth-down throw, clinching the win.
Super Bowl Matchup: Chiefs will face the Eagles on February 9 in New Orleans.
Key Injury: Bills cornerback Christian Benford suffered a concussion in the first quarter.

Side Headlines:

“Mahomes Magic Pushes Chiefs to Third Straight Super Bowl”
“Chiefs Outlast Bills in AFC Championship Classic”
“Kansas City Sets Up Super Bowl Rematch with Philadelphia Eagles”
“Josh Allen Falls Short as Bills’ Playoff Run Ends Again”

Mahomes Leads Chiefs 32-29 Past Bills in AFC Championship Thriller

Deep Look

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the third straight year, the Kansas City Chiefs are heading to the Super Bowl, riding Patrick Mahomes’ heroics and a late defensive stand to beat the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mahomes dazzled with 245 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and two rushing scores, cementing his legacy as one of the NFL’s most clutch performers. “It’s just so hard to get to the Super Bowl, and I don’t take it for granted,” Mahomes said after hoisting the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

Game Recap: Mahomes Outduels Allen

The game was a heavyweight battle between two of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Josh Allen kept the Bills alive with 237 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a gutsy performance on the ground. But it was Mahomes’ steady hand and Butker’s 33-yard field goal with 3:33 remaining that proved decisive.

After the Bills tied the game at 29-29 with a fourth-and-goal touchdown pass from Allen to Curtis Samuel, Mahomes responded with precision. Four consecutive completions on the ensuing drive set up Butker’s go-ahead field goal.

Buffalo had one last chance, but the Chiefs’ defense stepped up. A blitz forced Allen into a desperation heave on fourth down, sealing Kansas City’s victory.

Team Effort Propels Kansas City

While Mahomes and Travis Kelce led the offense, the Chiefs’ defense played a crucial role in the win. Key moments included:

Goal-Line Stand: Stopping Allen inches short of a first down earlier in the game.
Late Pressure: Forcing Allen into hurried throws in the game’s final minutes.

“We’re special because it’s not just one guy—it’s the entire team,” Mahomes said.

Bills Come Up Short Again

The loss marked Buffalo’s fourth playoff exit at the hands of Kansas City since 2021. Despite their regular-season success against the Chiefs, the Bills have been unable to overcome them in the postseason.

“I told them they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of,” said Bills coach Sean McDermott. “And I love them.”

First Half: A Back-and-Forth Battle

The teams traded blows in a thrilling first half.

Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to Xavier Worthy and rushed for another score.
Buffalo’s James Cook ran for a touchdown, and Mack Hollins made a spectacular catch to keep the Bills close.

The Chiefs led 21-16 at halftime.

Second Half: Inches Decide the Game

The second half was a game of inches:

Cook’s second touchdown run barely crossed the goal line.
Mahomes bulldozed into the end zone for a crucial Kansas City score.
Allen’s fourth-and-goal strike to Samuel tied the game, setting up a dramatic final six minutes.

Ultimately, Kansas City’s ability to execute in clutch moments proved the difference.