The previous nine matchups between three-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) and 2024 NFL MVP quarterback Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills (5-2) were separated by just a single point: 243 to 242 across five wins by the Chiefs and five wins by the Bills. Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park in Week 9 was no different in the first half with the Bills on top 21-13.
Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid proved to be the early X-factor in the first 30 minutes. Kincaid caught an opening drive touchdown from Allen from 23 yards out after faking a route over the middle before cutting outside to break Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill’s ankles, and he also set up Buffalo’s second touchdown. On top of his opening drive touchdown, he snuck behind Tranquill and defensive back Nohl Williams on a crossing route and found open field. Kincaid ran all the way down to the Chiefs’ 8 for a gain of 47 on the play. Kincaid is already up to three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on just three targets: he’s absolutely cooking Kansas City. Two plays later, running back Ty Johnson powered his way into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown to put Buffalo out in front 14-10. The Chiefs ripped off 10 points in a row in between the Bills’ first two touchdowns with a three-yard, direct snap rushing touchdown by wide receiver Rashee Rice plus a 46-yard field goal.
Dalton Knox, the Bills’ other tight end, broke free for a 30-yard sprint down the right sideline to get the ball down to the Chiefs’ 3 late in the half. Allen bulldozed his way into the end zone on a one-yard tush push score two plays later, which put the Chiefs in a 21-10 with 1:33 left in the first half. Fortunately for the visiting Chiefs, Mahomes found wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown for a 40-yard gain down to the one with 20 seconds left in the half. However, Kansas City couldn’t get into the end zone with that little time remaining and just one timeout. A run up the middle by Kareem Hunt was stuffed, and then consecutive incompletions forced the Chiefs’ to settle for a 19-yard field goal.
Will the Chiefs rally back in the second half after beginning the third quarter with the football? Or will the Bills hang on for a key win over their longtime arch nemesis? Stay tuned to our live blog below to find out!
