The Kansas City Chiefs are aiming for an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl win, which would solidify their place as one of the best teams in NFL history. To achieve this, they first have to defeat the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs—a challenge they have successfully met three times since 2021.
As the Bills try to beat the Chiefs after losing to them in past postseasons, DAZN News looks at three key factors that could impact the game.
The quarterback battle between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen is important, though it is not the only factor that will decide the game. Both are crucial to their teams’ success. In the 2024 AFC Divisional playoffs, Mahomes had an impressive performance, completing 17 out of 23 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, earning a quarterback rating of 131.6. On the other hand, Allen struggled, especially with deep passes, finishing with only 186 yards on 39 attempts and a lower quarterback rating of 86.1.
Mahomes has a strong record in the playoffs, with a 3-0 record against the Bills, and he is known for stepping up in critical moments, especially in the fourth quarter. This gives him a mental edge heading into this matchup.
Bills’ Pass Rush vs. Chiefs’ Offensive Line
For the Buffalo Bills’ defense to win this game, they need to make Mahomes uncomfortable in the pocket. However, the Chiefs have an advantage here. While the Chiefs have had some issues with pass protection this season, they still have the edge against Buffalo’s pass rush.
In 2024, the Chiefs allowed the 16th-most sacks, compared to the second-fewest sacks allowed in 2023. But Buffalo’s pass rush hasn’t been very effective, ranking only 20th in the league with 39 sacks during the regular season. They only managed two sacks in their two playoff games this year.
In their earlier meeting in Week 11, the Bills pressured the Chiefs 13 times, but Kansas City made adjustments by moving Pro Bowler Joe Thuney to left tackle. If Buffalo is to succeed, they need to improve their pass rush.
Travis Kelce and the Chiefs’ Receivers vs. the Bills’ Secondary
Travis Kelce remains a significant threat to opposing defenses. Even at 35 years old, he still has the strength to overpower defensive backs and the speed to get past linebackers. While his regular-season numbers in 2024 were lower than usual (823 yards and three touchdowns), he has a history of delivering big performances in important games, like his 117-yard, one-touchdown performance in the 2024 Divisional Round.
The Bills have some talented players in their secondary, including Taron Johnson, who will try to limit Kelce’s impact. The Bills also hope that Matt Milano’s return will help them improve on defense, as they led the NFL in takeaways.
However, Mahomes has a tendency to spread the ball around to different receivers, including fast players like Xavier Worthy. Therefore, the entire Bills’ defense needs to be prepared for a variety of threats.
Conclusion
While Josh Allen and the Bills have the talent to overcome any NFL defense, their success in this game will depend on overcoming the history of past playoff losses to the Chiefs. Both teams have strong rushing games that could help them secure a win if they get an early lead.
The Bills must start fast and build a solid lead, but they must be cautious of the Chiefs’ ability to win close games in the final moments. Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid, known for his success in the NFL, will likely create a game plan that takes advantage of these key matchups.
