AFC championship game: Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs – live

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Payments 10-14 Chiefs, 2:36 second quarter

Huge cross in direction of the endzone! Worthy and Bishop have palms on it, and Worthy rips it free! What a catch and rip proper there! Plus a defensive holding name on the Payments, declined clearly.

That is the Worthy Bowl proper now! No marvel KC traded up with Buffalo to get this man final draft.

Ball on the Buffalo 3.

Payments 10-14 Chiefs, 3:13 second quarter

Allen goes massive down the far sideline! Riverboat gambler stuff! Incomplete, within the course of Coleman.

Three and out for Buffalo. That’s not good. Particularly as a result of KC have plenty of time right here and a terrific punt return! It’s Remigio, contemporary off the apply squad, shaking and baking and transferring and grooving and all the remaining! When it’s finished, it’s right down to the Buffalo 29!

A 41-yard return! It regarded like this!

Payments 10-14 Chiefs, 4:02 second quarter

Allen seems to be for Samuel on 2nd & 10, he’s open however can not hold on. Come on man, you’ve gotta make that catch, you’re open with room to run!

So it’s third & 10!

Payments 10-14 Chiefs, 4:06 second quarter

Payments begin from their very own 30. Allen, hit as he throws, searching for Kincaid, who couldn’t hold on. And a flag – unlawful formation, offense. That’s the second a kind of in the present day. The Chiefs decline and take the down as a substitute.

Oh, and Mahomes is 9/10 in the present day. His QB score is 144.2. That’s good by the way in which.

The way it occurred!

Eleven performs, 70 yards, 6:12. It appeared quicker! That clock barely stopped on that drive, much less the 2 timeouts.

This was all due to that loopy name on 4th & 1 on their very own 39. Online game soccer.

TOUCHDOWN! Payments 10-14 Chiefs, 4:13 second quarter

It’s Worthy once more, he has it and dives in direction of the pilon – he’s up and in!

The Chiefs are up as soon as extra on one other wholesome drive. Has Mahomes thrown an incomplete cross but? Good lord.

Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 4:41 second quarter

Mahomes within the shotgun, he has a completion to Worthy for a primary down on the far sideline.

And there’s a flag: private foul, protection. And ouch, that tacks on 15!

Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 4:41 second quarter

Pacheco, and his hell elevating runs, I really like to look at him go, and he goes for 5. So it’s third & 4 from the 28.

Timeout! The Chiefs name their second TO!

It will be one thing if the Payments may maintain KC to a subject purpose.

Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 5:50 second quarter

Worthy and Mahomes hook up on the close to sideline for 10 yards. Then Mahomes is on the opposite aspect of the sector, firing to Hopkins for 11. Chiefs on the Payments 33 – good response!

This quarter is actually transferring!

Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 7:34 second quarter

It seems to be like they are going to go, or do the try to draw the Payments offside factor.

However no, they go, and Mahomes runs to his proper in direction of the sideline! First down!

Man, that’s completely bananas. However they received away with it, as a result of they all the time do. Considered one of lately, that isn’t going to work.

Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 8:29 second quarter

Hunt runs and is flipped behind the road of scrimmage! Wow! That’s wild! And no manner they go for it right here, proper? Properly, the Chiefs name their first timeout.

I imply, they’re on their very own 39. I don’t suggest it.

Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 9:23 second quarter

OK, the Chiefs begin at their 30 and Mahomes is again and firing away, hitting Kelce – there’s a reputation we haven’t heard but – for eight yards.

Then Hunt runs for a yard. It’s third & 1!

The way it occurred!

Sure, it was a run from James Cook dinner that gave the Payments the lead! It regarded so much like this:

It took 10 performs, it went 67 yards, it took 5:32.

TOUCHDOWN! Payments 10-7 Chiefs, 10:25 second quarter

Cook dinner runs down the far sideline and he’s in! The Payments money in on that muffed change between Mahomes muffed handoff and so they’re within the lead!

Up to date at 19.30 EST

Payments 3-7 Chiefs, 10:40 second quarter

Now it’s third & lengthy however Allen hooks up with Shakir on the six! The Payments are within the purple zone – first and purpose to go!

Payments 3-7 Chiefs, 11:20 second quarter

Allen dumps it off to Cook dinner on the far sideline and there’s some room! A wholesome 17-yard achieve.

Then Allen goes on an journey – he’s working, pointing, escaping then chucking a fluttering ball in direction of the endzone that’s not excessive proportion work! It’s damaged up, however it doers’t matter – defensive holding on the Chiefs! First down on the Chiefs 38!

Later….on 2nd & 6, Shakir has a completion, however he’s then smacked and pushed for a loss. Ouch! So it’s third & 9!

Big play proper right here. Allen within the shotgun – fast throw and full! Cooper has it for a primary down!

Lastly, on the subsequent play, Allen is stripped! However recovers, someway, whereas being tackled. Fairly a trick!

Ball on the KC 37.

The kick cometh

Do you have to be inquisitive about that advantageous 53-yard kick by Mr Bass…

Payments’ kicker Tyler Bass simply MADE a 53-yard FG.The kick was open air at GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium.BUF 3, KC 7 (3:45 – 1st)Estimated Make Likelihood: 66percentLevel of Problem (STUD): 84th Percentile pic.twitter.com/lFjNwRCYWW

— Subject Aim Bot (@FieldGoalBot) January 27, 2025

Payments 3-7 Chiefs, finish of first quarter

Cook dinner on 2nd & 1, a affected person run the place he bounces and waits for a gap, which he does discover, plunging forward to the Payments 40 and a 3 yard gallop – first down Buffalo because the quarter involves a detailed.

Loads of motion!

TURNOVER! Payments 3-7 Chiefs, 0:57 first quarter

Mahomes drops it! The Payments have it! Ed Oliver recovers it for Buffalo and the Payments take over from the 28! That’s simply what they wanted, even when it was type of an unforced error.

They’ll take it!

Bedford

It doesn’t look good, he’s being pushed off. One other hit to the Payments secondary which are already lacking Taylor Rapp.

After which the ball slips away from Mahomes and KC recovers however the ball goes backwards fairly away! However there’s a penalty on the Payments, so actually it by no means occurred.

Now Worthy is working for eight yards, and that’s three straight rushed for 28 yards whole. Chiefs on the Payments 23.

It’s the Eagles

What each Giants fan desires to listen to: Philly are heading to the present, with some working again man who’s OK, not nice. Learn all about it.

Payments 3-7 Chiefs, 2:38 first quarter

Whereas I’m posting emails the Chiefs are busy transferring throughout midfield, at blistering tempo. it’s because of a Mahomes scramble and a Worthy run!

Now there’s a break as Payments nook Bedford suffers a head-to-head with a teammate that was not a enjoyable watch. Hopefully he’s OK.

Electronic mail!

Tom Hopkins has recommendation and wonders:

“Come on David, with no working data of Roman numerals you’re placing your self at a extreme drawback when it comes to each cryptic crosswords and the dates motion pictures have been copyrighted. Actually, Tremendous Bowl years is the least of your worries. Additionally, I don’t observe NFL that intently. Do Kansas Metropolis actually get preferential remedy from officers and, in that case, why?”

I don’t suppose it’s acutely aware bias however I feel there’s some bias, sure. However KC will not be the primary stars to get the calls in sport.

Liam in China has a joke:

Greetings from Beijing, the place it’s -7c and approaching 8am on Monday. Your reference to the weird manner they quantity the Superbowls jogged my memory of that joke:

‘I, for one, is a roman numeral.’

Good joke! Very uncommon! Thanks!

FIELD GOAL! Payments 3-7 Chiefs, 3:45 first quarter

Tyler Bass his a giant boot and he’s true from 53! Wow!

So the Payments have considerably of a solution. They confirmed they’ll transfer the ball and recovered effectively from that horrific first drive. However this isn’t gonna work except Buffalo’s protection can get some stops.

Let’s see what they realized on these tablets whereas they waited.

Payments 0-7 Chiefs, 4:06 first quarter

Allen drops the snap! However then he falls proper on it! CBS says the Payments haven’t misplaced a fumble since week 4. Good stat!

It’s third & 9. Shakir has a catch on the far aspect, he juts backwards, looking for an edge, however he can’t, so Buffalo are brief.

Right here comes the sector purpose unit!

Payments 0-7 Chiefs, 5:52 first quarter

Allen is warming up, discovering Cooper on a slant for 9 yards. It’s third & 1, and the tush push works it’s magic. Allen makes it on the second push throughout the push. First down! Ball on the KC 40!

Payments 0-7 Chiefs, 6:52 first quarter

All types of play altering on the line by Allen, transferring items, finger pointing after which a completion to Kincaid for 11 yards. It was price it!

Then Cook dinner will get hammered and solely will get a yard rush for it.

On third & 3, Allen varieties Shakir for 12 yards, and the Payments have a primary down!

That’ll calm these in Orchard Park only a wee bit. Ball on the Payments 48.

Payments 0-7 Chiefs, 8:51 first quarter

A contact again, then a Cook dinner run for about 5 yards. However there’s a flag for unlawful formation on the Payments. Come on of us! Get it collectively!

So it’s 1st & 15 now from the 25. Gulp!

The way it occurred!

Ninety yards, 9 performs in simply 5:05. Right here’s the way it ended.

Now, can Allen throw just a few passes in direction of a few of his personal gamers?

TOUCHDOWN! Payments 0-7 Chiefs, 8:56 first quarter

Kareem Hunt, up the center, after which a fast lower to his proper and into the endzone! And similar to that, 90 yards, melts away, like butter and a sizzling knife.

Payments 0-0 Chiefs, 9:41 first quarter

KC’s offense is transferring simply, freely, splendidly. Pacheco runs up the center for 3 yards on first down.

Then J.Smith-Schuster is discovered up the center, and he runs. AND RUNS! A great deal of room and he’s not finished till 32 yards later!

Now Hunt runs for eight! to the Buffalo 13. That is WAY too straightforward.

Payments 0-0 Chiefs, 12:16 first quarter

Proper now it’s all Hollywood Brown! Two straight receptions for a complete of 20 yards., Then Patrick runs for 4, choosing up a primary down. The Chiefs are on the transfer, as much as their 34.

Payments 0-0 Chiefs, 14:08 first quarter

Allen is simply flinging the capsule round prefer it’s nothing! On third & 6 he throws what ought to have been his second interception, however someway, it’s not. And that’s actually miraculous. So the Payments punt and the Chiefs will begin at their 10.

We’re off!

The Payments have it first, and Cook dinner runs to his proper for about 4 yards! Then the opposite Cook dinner, the one within the Chiefs secondary, nearly picks off Allen! Whao, that ought to have been intercepted!

And I quote:

“We all know what we’re right here to do” says Mr Mahomes in a fast pregame interview for CBS TV right here in the USA, when requested concerning the “three-peat”.

I imagine him.

Nationwide Anthem

Retired Navy Petty Officer First Class (say that 3 times quick) Generald Wilson is belting out the Nationwide Anthem and is sort of convincing. Rock stable model, no points right here. I give it a 7.5. Right here’s what it appeared like in 2023 in KC when you really feel the necessity. Simply bear in mind to please rise and take away your cap.

It went somewhat one thing like this.

Right here they arrive

The Chiefs are working onto the sector, by means of circa 1950’s, holey, middle-American banners. It’s all very heat and healthful, and Mahomes and Kelsce regarded simply nice.

Talking of heat, it’s fairly balmy weather-wise in KC in comparison with what it’s been currently. It’s 31F, -0.5C. So climate won’t be an element tonight.

Crimson, yellow and zebra

In case you suppose the highlight will likely be shining brilliant on these two groups in the present day, contemplate the referees. The non-Chiefs soccer world was disgusted final week after just a few calls went the way in which of KC, with accusations of “pampering” Patrick being hurled in direction of refs and the league. Is he pampered? Properly, most fancy QB’s are. Extra so than most? Possibly. With all of the whining this week, it’s curious to notice that the NFL assigned Clete Blakeman to go the officers this night.

Ryan Miller of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle notes the next:

“Mahomes is 6-5 in video games officiated by Blakeman. It’s his second-worst document amongst 20 referees who’ve officiated his video games. The 5 losses below Blakeman’s crew account for 21.7% of Mahomes’ 23 profession losses.”

After which there’s this piece to learn if you wish to pursue extra statistical gasoline:

I noticed a loopy stat yesterday on ESPN that I couldn’t imagine

the final 4 years, over the Chiefs 11 playoff video games:

0 video games the Chiefs had extra penalties

10 video games opponents had extra penalties

wow

so I in contrast them to different playoff groups…

READ:https://t.co/PETv5OoHFL

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 21, 2025

Up to date at 18.32 EST

Eagles fly to the Huge Simple

No, it’s not over, however presently the Eagles look set to symbolize the NFC on the Tremendous Bowl LIX on 9 February, as they’re presently housing Washington 48-23.

By the way in which, I needed to ask the web what quantity LIX is. I actually love how the NFL refuses to dumb down their Tremendous Bowl years.

“LIX is the Roman numeral for 59. To transform 59 to Roman Numerals, write it in expanded kind, i.e. 59 = 50 + (10 – 1), then exchange the transformed integers with corresponding roman numerals to get 59 = L + (X – I) = LIX.”

Up to date at 18.15 EST

Three-peats

In case you suppose successful back-to-back Tremendous Bowl video games is hard, how about three on the trot? It’s so tough that it’s by no means occurred. The Chiefs are the ninth staff within the Tremendous Bowl period to have a crack at it. Of these eight groups, solely the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 1990 San Francisco 49ers made it to the championship stage. Pittsburgh, who had overwhelmed the Oakland Raiders in back-to-back AFC title video games lastly succumbed to the silver and black, 24-7, whereas the Giants famously (for NYG followers) ousted the Niners, in San Francisco with a final second subject purpose.

Legendary broadcaster Patt Summerall introduced “there will likely be no three-peat” after Bahr linked that afternoon. Can the Chiefs flip that script in the present day?

We’re dwell!

Hey and welcome to our dwell protection of the AFC Championship recreation, the place the Buffalo Payments have schlepped to Kansas Metropolis to tackle the Chiefs! The winner takes on the winner of the Commanders and Eagles NFC Championship recreation, which is going on proper now, and be happy to hop on over to that till it’s determined. I gained’t be offended.

Within the meantime, right here’s a query for you. Andy Reid is 90-26 in his final seven seasons as head coach of the Chiefs. Throughout that point he’s 15-3 within the playoffs together with an eight recreation postseason successful streak. This season, KC gained 15 video games and misplaced two, one actually: that final loss to the Broncos was every week off. So how is it {that a} staff like this, with two straight Tremendous Bowl victories within the can, is barely favored by two factors v the Payments? Shouldn’t or not it’s extra, contemplating their monitor document?

The reply is, as all the time, the bookies know stuff. And the stuff is, sure, the Chiefs gained 15 video games, and sure, they discover a approach to win on a regular basis, with and with out the debatable VIP remedy from officers, however this staff, they’re actually pushing it. They don’t actually have sufficient. They function on the margins: simply take a look at this statistical season comparability, They’re doing it with smoke, mirrors, great teaching and muscle reminiscence.

And that is the narrative that we’ve all been listening to, and there’s a great purpose for it: it appears to be true. Right here’s a reddit publish that claims primarily based on level differential, KC ought to have gained 59.73% of their video games. As an alternative, KC gained over 88% of their video games. This allegedly beats out the 2022 Minnesota Vikings as probably the most over performing staff of all time, at the least in accordance with one other reddit publish. These Vikings received beat by one other over performing staff, the New York Giants, who subsequently received destroyed within the divisional spherical after which fell deep into the abyss.

Now, every week after enjoying a faux staff, KC should play an actual one. The Chiefs received fortunate by avoiding the Ravens, who’re higher than the Payments regardless of their loss in Buffalo final week. That stated, Josh Allen additionally is aware of how one can win with much less round him: Buffalo misplaced their key wideout and a few vital cogs they may not afford to hold on to. What they’ve works: Keon Coleman, James Cook dinner and Khalil Shakir.

Mainly, KC are due for a whipping, will or not it’s the Payments that cease KC’s playoff win streak? That’s what we’re about to search out out. Oh, and I ought to ask, what do you suppose? Let me know through “x” or electronic mail and we’ll get you within the paper. In any other case, put together for the sport of the season and stand by for extra protection!

Persist with us!

David will likely be right here shortly. Within the meantime, right here’s Graham Searles on in the present day’s recreation:

Story of the season: Simply as in 2023, the Chiefs have been subpar for a lot of final 12 months, rolling within the decrease gears able to strike within the playoffs. They continue to be the best-coached and most well-prepared staff within the NFL. Their solely stumbling block: the Payments. Josh Allen’s game-sealing landing run on fourth and two when the groups met within the common season was a smudge on an in any other case pristine copybook. So can Buffalo do it once more? Can Allen lastly make a definitive mark after dropping to Mahomes 3 times within the postseason? The stress is on in what is bound to be one other prompt basic.

What Buffalo must do to win: Run the ball. Kansas Metropolis’s protection has a weak spot that may be exploited by James Cook dinner and Allen. The Chiefs have softened up considerably since limiting the Payments to a decent 104 dashing yards after they met in Week 11. Of their previous 5 video games, Kansas Metropolis have allowed a mean of 150 dashing yards, whereas the Payments have persistently dominated on the bottom, averaging 170 yards within the eight video games since beating the Chiefs. Crucially, within the playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos – the NFL’s finest and third-best run stoppers when it comes to whole yards allowed in 2024 – every gave up a season-high whole towards Buffalo. If that’s the harm Cook dinner and Allen can do to opponents who specialize in shutting down runners then the duo will probably trigger Kansas Metropolis severe hassle.

What Kansas Metropolis must do to win: Put the ball in Xavier Worthy’s palms. In head coach Andy Reid’s scheme, the speedy extensive receiver can stretch Buffalo deep down the sector. That ought to give Mahomes an explosive goal to unlock a Payments secondary doubtlessly lacking star cornerback Christian Benford, who’s in concussion protocol. Reid must also work in inventive touches for Worthy when the Chiefs have the ball contained in the purple zone. He brings an important playmaking risk to assist the extra routine, environment friendly manufacturing of Travis Kelce. The Payments have struggled in tight video games within the postseason in latest season, and jitters have been evident once more final week as Lamar Jackson rampaged within the second half. Reid can depend on Worthy to be an X-factor a lot as Tyreek Hill was within the Chiefs’ epic divisional-round win over Buffalo in 2022.

Key participant for the Payments: Spencer Brown, proper deal with. Brown has had a implausible season defending his quarterback and run blocking. Allen has been sacked solely 17 occasions throughout his 19 video games this season whereas Brown and his offensive line helped Buffalo rating greater than 30 factors on 13 events. Most fun for the Payments is that the 6ft 8in, 310lbs bruiser was lacking from their regular-season win over the Chiefs. When they should rating, they’ll depend on Brown to do the soiled work that makes Allen shine.

Key participant for the Chiefs: Jaylen Watson, cornerback. The distinction for Kansas Metropolis may very well be Watson returning to the secondary. The defensive again, who missed the regular-season loss to the Payments, loved a well timed warm-up towards Houston. The Chiefs’ protection is phenomenal with Trent McDuffie alongside him. They need to enable Steve Spagnuolo to focus his protection on extra vital issues: stopping the run.

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