Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats and AFC Championship Analysis – January 26, 2025

Introduction

The AFC Championship Game on January 26, 2025, between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs was a thrilling chapter in one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries. Officiated by referees Clay Martin, Greg Bradley, Rich Martinez, Phil McKinnely, Jimmy Russell, Mark Stewart, and Danny Short, the game lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes. Kansas City’s 32-29 victory at Arrowhead Stadium cemented their status as the AFC’s dominant force, advancing them to Super Bowl LIX while extending Buffalo’s postseason woes against Patrick Mahomes (0-4 in playoffs). This article provides a unique, detailed analysis of Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats, key moments, and strategic elements, drawing on the latest data to offer original insights into this epic playoff showdown.

• Sport: American Football
• League: National Football League (NFL)
• Match Type: Playoff – AFC Championship Game
• Date: January 26, 2025

Key Points

• The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 32-29 on January 26, 2025, in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, securing their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years.
• Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs with 245 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 43 rushing yards, and 2 rushing touchdowns, outdueling Josh Allen in a clutch fourth quarter.
• Josh Allen threw for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns but was stopped on a critical fourth-and-5, with the Chiefs’ blitz forcing an incomplete pass to Dalton Kincaid.
• The Chiefs’ defense pressured Allen on 45.9% of dropbacks, and Harrison Butker’s 35-yard field goal with 3:33 left proved decisive in a game defined by big plays and turnovers.

Game Context and Significance

The Chiefs, the No. 1 seed with a 15-2 record, entered the game fresh off a 23-14 Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans, where Travis Kelce recorded 117 receiving yards. The Bills, the No. 2 seed with a 13-4 record, advanced with a 27-25 Divisional Round victory over the Baltimore Ravens, powered by Josh Allen’s 2 rushing touchdowns. This matchup was a rematch of their Week 11 encounter on November 17, 2024, where Buffalo won 30-21, handing Kansas City their only loss with starters playing. As 1.5-point favorites, the Chiefs leaned on their playoff pedigree, having won three straight postseason meetings against Buffalo since 2020. The stakes were monumental: Kansas City aimed for a historic three-peat, while Buffalo sought their first Super Bowl appearance since 1993.

Detailed Recap

The game opened with Kansas City asserting dominance, as the Chiefs’ defense forced a three-and-out, and Mahomes led a 9-play, 90-yard drive, capped by Kareem Hunt’s 12-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Buffalo answered with a 53-yard field goal by Tyler Bass after a fumbled exchange between Allen and Cook stalled a drive. Early in the second quarter, Ed Oliver forced and recovered a fumble from Mahomes at the Buffalo 28, setting up a 7-yard touchdown run by James Cook, giving Buffalo a 10-7 lead. The Chiefs responded with a 26-yard pass to Xavier Worthy, upheld after a Buffalo challenge, leading to Mahomes’ 1-yard touchdown run for a 14-10 lead. Nikko Remigio’s 44-yard punt return set up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Worthy, pushing the lead to 21-10. With 23 seconds left in the half, Allen connected with Mack Hollins for a 34-yard touchdown, but a failed 2-point attempt kept the score at 21-16 at halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, with Buffalo taking a 22-21 lead on Cook’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal, stretching the ball over the goal line after a 7-minute drive. The Chiefs’ 2-point attempt was stopped when Allen was sacked. In the fourth quarter, Kansas City regained the lead at 29-22 with Mahomes’ 10-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion pass to Justin Watson, aided by a facemask penalty on Matt Milano. Buffalo tied it at 29-29 with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Curtis Samuel on fourth-and-goal, set up by a 32-yard catch by Hollins. Mahomes answered with an 8-play, 51-yard drive, culminating in Butker’s 35-yard field goal with 3:33 left (32-29). Buffalo’s final drive reached their own 48, but on fourth-and-5, a Chiefs’ cornerback blitz forced Allen to heave a deep pass to Dalton Kincaid, who couldn’t secure it. Mahomes connected with Samaje Perine for a first down, and the Chiefs ran out the clock, sealing their Super Bowl berth.

Player Performances and Statistics

Below are the detailed statistics for key players, highlighting their contributions to this high-stakes game:

Kansas City Chiefs Player Stats

• Patrick Mahomes (QB): 18/26, 245 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 104.8 passer rating; 7 rushes, 43 yards, 2 TD (1, 10 yards); 1 fumble lost; +10 plus-minus
  • Mahomes delivered a masterful performance, setting season highs in dropback success rate (64.7%) and dropback EPA (+21.5), per Next Gen Stats. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Worthy and 2 rushing touchdowns, including a bulldozing 10-yard score, were pivotal. His 4 consecutive completions on the game-winning drive set up Butker’s field goal, and his 43 rushing yards exploited Buffalo’s focus on his passing. Despite a fumble forced by Oliver, his clutch playmaking was the difference.
• Kareem Hunt (RB): 8 rushes, 41 yards, 1 TD (12 yards); 1 reception, 6 yards; +7 plus-minus
  • Hunt’s 12-yard touchdown run capped the opening drive, and his 5.1 yards per carry provided balance. His physicality set the tone early, though his carries were limited in the second half as the Chiefs leaned on Mahomes’ legs.
• Xavier Worthy (WR): 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD (12 yards); +8 plus-minus
  • The rookie was a breakout star, hauling in a contested 26-yard catch and scoring on a 12-yard touchdown. His 85 yards led the team, and his 14.2 yards per catch stretched Buffalo’s secondary, exploiting Rasul Douglas in single coverage.
• Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (WR): 3 receptions, 52 yards, 0 TD; +4 plus-minus
  • Brown’s 28-yard catch on third-and-10 kept a drive alive, though he couldn’t secure a deep sideline pass on third-and-15. His speed forced Buffalo to adjust their coverage, opening underneath routes.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR): 2 receptions, 43 yards, 0 TD; +3 plus-minus
  • Smith-Schuster’s 32-yard catch set up the game-winning field goal, showcasing his reliability in clutch moments. His limited targets reflected Kansas City’s focus on Worthy and quick passes.
• Travis Kelce (TE): 2 receptions, 19 yards, 0 TD; +2 plus-minus
  • Kelce, coming off a 117-yard Divisional Round, was held in check by Buffalo’s bracket coverage, with Taron Johnson and Matt Milano limiting him to 9.5 yards per catch. His 8-yard catch converted a third-and-5, but he was a non-factor compared to his usual playoff dominance.
• Nick Bolton (LB): 9 tackles (6 solo), 1 tackle for loss; +6 plus-minus
  • Bolton’s hit on Allen on fourth-and-inches stopped a quarterback sneak, forcing a turnover on downs. His coverage on Cook and Samuel limited Buffalo’s underneath passing game.
• Charles Omenihu (DE): 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss; +5 plus-minus
  • Omenihu’s sack on Allen during the 2-point attempt after Cook’s third-quarter touchdown preserved a one-point deficit. His pressure (3 quarterback hits) disrupted Buffalo’s rhythm.
• Chris Jones (DT): 4 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hit; +4 plus-minus
  • Jones’ pressure on 30% of Allen’s dropbacks, including a shared sack with Omenihu, forced hurried throws. His penetration collapsed Buffalo’s pocket, particularly on third downs.
• Harrison Butker (K): 1/1 FG (35 yards), 3/3 XP; +5 plus-minus
  • Butker’s 35-yard field goal with 3:33 left was the game-winner, capping an 8-play, 51-yard drive. His reliability under pressure was crucial in a three-point game.

Buffalo Bills Player Stats

• Josh Allen (QB): 22/34, 237 yards, 2 TD (34, 4 yards), 0 INT, 103.9 passer rating; 11 rushes, 39 yards, 0 TD; +6 plus-minus
  • Allen was sharp, completing 64.7% of his passes and throwing touchdowns to Hollins and Samuel. His 24-yard laser to Khalil Shakir on third-and-13 set up Cook’s first touchdown, and his 4-yard touchdown pass to Samuel tied the game at 29-29. However, he completed just 5 of 14 passes for 66 yards under pressure (45.9% of dropbacks), and his fourth-and-5 incompletion to Kincaid, forced by a Chiefs’ blitz, ended Buffalo’s hopes. His 39 rushing yards included a fourth-and-1 conversion.
• James Cook (RB): 17 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD (7, 1 yards); 2 receptions, 10 yards; +7 plus-minus
  • Cook was Buffalo’s offensive engine, scoring on a 7-yard run after Oliver’s fumble recovery and a 1-yard stretch on fourth-and-goal. His 5.0 yards per carry and 21-yard run exploited Kansas City’s weakened run defense (2.83 yards per carry in prior two games). His fumble on a second-quarter exchange with Allen led to a field goal.
• Mack Hollins (WR): 3 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD (34 yards); +5 plus-minus
  • Hollins’ 34-yard touchdown catch with 23 seconds left in the first half kept Buffalo in the game, and his 32-yard grab set up Samuel’s touchdown. His 22.0 yards per catch were a bright spot, exploiting Chiefs’ cornerback Jaylen Watson.
• Khalil Shakir (WR): 4 receptions, 44 yards, 0 TD; +4 plus-minus
  • Shakir’s 24-yard catch on third-and-13 was a clutch moment, setting up Cook’s first touchdown. His 11.0 yards per catch were limited by Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid’s coverage.
• Curtis Samuel (WR): 3 receptions, 19 yards, 1 TD (4 yards); +3 plus-minus
  • Samuel’s 4-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal tied the game at 29-29, showcasing his reliability in the red zone. His limited yardage reflected Buffalo’s focus on deeper targets.
• Amari Cooper (WR): 2 receptions, 15 yards, 0 TD; +2 plus-minus
  • Cooper’s 9-yard catch on third-and-8 kept the final drive alive, but he was underutilized, with Chiefs’ cornerback Trent McDuffie shadowing him effectively.
• Dalton Kincaid (TE): 2 receptions, 22 yards, 0 TD; -1 plus-minus
  • Kincaid’s drop on the fourth-and-5 deep pass was the game’s final play, as he couldn’t secure Allen’s throw under pressure from a Chiefs’ blitz. His 12-yard catch earlier sustained a drive.
• Ed Oliver (DT): 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery; +6 plus-minus
  • Oliver’s strip-sack and recovery of Mahomes’ fumble at the Buffalo 28 flipped momentum, leading to Cook’s first touchdown. His pressure disrupted Kansas City’s interior line.
• Matt Milano (LB): 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss; -2 plus-minus
  • Milano’s facemask penalty on Mahomes aided a Chiefs’ touchdown drive, and he missed a tackle on Worthy’s 26-yard catch. His coverage limited Kelce but couldn’t stop Kansas City’s late surge.
• Taron Johnson (CB): 6 tackles, 1 pass defended; +3 plus-minus
  • Johnson’s coverage on Kelce held the tight end to 2 catches, but he was beaten on Brown’s 28-yard grab. His pass breakup on a third-down throw to Watson forced a punt.
• Tyler Bass (K): 1/1 FG (53 yards), 2/2 XP; +4 plus-minus
  • Bass’ 53-yard field goal got Buffalo on the board, and his extra points were flawless, but he had no late-game opportunities to tie the score.

Team Statistics and Comparison

The following table summarizes the team statistics, highlighting the game’s competitiveness:

The Chiefs’ slight edge in total yards (362-350) and third-down efficiency (55.6% vs. 40.0%) reflected their ability to sustain drives. Both teams were efficient in the red zone, but Kansas City’s pressure on Allen (45.9% of dropbacks) and clutch fourth-down stop were decisive. Buffalo’s 113 rushing yards outpaced Kansas City’s recent averages, but their 1 turnover and failed fourth-down attempt tipped the scales.

Strategic Insights and Analysis

The Chiefs, under Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo, executed a balanced game plan, leveraging Mahomes’ quick passing (18/26, 245 yards) and mobility (43 yards, 2 TD) to counter Buffalo’s aggressive blitz (48.4% of dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats). Spagnuolo’s cornerback blitz on the final fourth-and-5, led by Jaylen Watson, forced Allen to rush his throw, a tactic that echoed Kansas City’s 2021 AFC Championship win over Buffalo. Worthy’s emergence (6 catches, 85 yards) compensated for Kelce’s quiet game, as Buffalo’s bracket coverage on Kelce opened opportunities for Brown and Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs’ run game, bolstered by Hunt and Mahomes, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, exploiting Buffalo’s 4.6 yards-per-carry allowed in the playoffs.

Buffalo, coached by Sean McDermott and Joe Brady, leaned on their rushing attack, with Cook and Allen combining for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Their 4/6 fourth-down conversions, including Cook’s 1-yard touchdown and Samuel’s 4-yard score, showcased McDermott’s aggressive play-calling, a departure from past conservatism. However, Allen’s struggles under pressure (5/14, 66 yards) and the secondary’s depletion—Christian Benford’s first-quarter concussion and Taylor Rapp’s absence (hip/back)—allowed Mahomes to exploit mismatches. Buffalo’s run defense, which allowed 176 yards to Baltimore in the Divisional Round, held Kansas City to 117, but Milano’s facemask penalty and missed tackles on Worthy proved costly.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Opening Touchdown Drive (Q1): Mahomes’ 9-play, 90-yard drive, capped by Hunt’s 12-yard touchdown, set the tone, exploiting Buffalo’s early defensive alignment issues (7-0).
• Oliver’s Fumble Recovery (Q2): Oliver’s strip-sack and recovery of Mahomes’ fumble at the Buffalo 28 led to Cook’s 7-yard touchdown, giving Buffalo a 10-7 lead and flipping momentum.
• Worthy’s Contested Catch (Q2): Worthy’s 26-yard grab, upheld after a challenge, set up Mahomes’ 1-yard touchdown run, regaining the lead at 14-10 and showcasing Kansas City’s resilience.
• Hollins’ Halftime Touchdown (Q2): Allen’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Hollins with 23 seconds left kept Buffalo within 21-16, preventing a double-digit deficit.
• Cook’s Fourth-Down TD (Q3): Cook’s 1-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal, stretching the ball over the goal line, gave Buffalo a 22-21 lead, capping a 7-minute drive.
• Chiefs’ Fourth-Quarter Surge (Q4): Mahomes’ 10-yard touchdown run and 2-point pass to Watson, aided by Milano’s facemask penalty, put Kansas City up 29-22, reclaiming control.
• Samuel’s Tying Touchdown (Q4): Allen’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Samuel on fourth-and-goal, set up by Hollins’ 32-yard catch, tied the game at 29-29 with 6:15 left.
• Butker’s Game-Winner (Q4): Butker’s 35-yard field goal with 3:33 left, after Mahomes’ 4 consecutive completions, gave Kansas City a 32-29 lead, forcing Buffalo to respond.
• Final Fourth-Down Stop (Q4): The Chiefs’ blitz on fourth-and-5 forced Allen’s incompletion to Kincaid, sealing the game as Kansas City ran out the clock with Perine’s first-down catch.

Playoff Context and Series Implications

The Chiefs’ victory marked their seventh straight AFC Championship Game appearance, an NFL record, and their fifth Super Bowl trip in six years. Mahomes improved to 4-0 against Allen in the playoffs, passing Joe Montana for the second-most postseason wins by a quarterback (17), trailing only Tom Brady. The Chiefs’ 17th straight win in one-score games set an NFL record, per ESPN, and their Super Bowl LIX matchup against the Eagles offers a chance to become the first team to three-peat. For Buffalo, the loss dropped Allen to 0-2 in AFC Championship Games and extended their Super Bowl drought since 1993. Despite a 15-4 overall record, Buffalo’s 0-4 playoff record against Mahomes raises questions about their ability to overcome Kansas City’s postseason dominance.

Historical Context

The Chiefs and Bills have met eight times since 2020, with Kansas City holding a 5-3 edge, including 4-0 in the playoffs. Their 2020 AFC Championship Game saw the Chiefs win 38-24, and their 2021 and 2024 Divisional Round clashes were decided by a combined 9 points. Buffalo’s 30-21 regular-season win in Week 11 of 2024, where they forced 2 turnovers, gave them hope, but Kansas City’s playoff adjustments—new route concepts and Spagnuolo’s blitz packages—proved decisive. This game, the closest of their postseason encounters, underscored the Chiefs’ clutch execution and Buffalo’s persistent struggle to close out big games.

Looking Ahead

The Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, a rematch of their 38-35 win in 2023. Mahomes’ ability to elevate in the postseason, combined with Worthy’s emergence and a bolstered defensive line (27 sacks in 6 games with Omenihu), makes them formidable. Buffalo’s offseason will focus on bolstering their secondary, with Benford’s concussion and Rapp’s absence exposing vulnerabilities. Allen’s growth (career-high 103.9 passer rating in this game) and Cook’s reliability offer hope, but addressing their 8-game road playoff losing streak and Mahomes’ postseason mastery will be critical for 2025.

Conclusion

The January 26, 2025, AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs was a playoff masterpiece, defined by Patrick Mahomes’ clutch performance, Josh Allen’s valiant effort, and critical plays that swung a 32-29 Chiefs victory. Mahomes’ 245 passing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, paired with Xavier Worthy’s breakout game, powered Kansas City, while Allen’s 237 yards and James Cook’s 2 scores kept Buffalo in contention. The Chiefs’ defensive pressure and Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal, combined with Buffalo’s fourth-down failure, cemented Kansas City’s Super Bowl berth. As the Chiefs chase history, this game will linger as a testament to their dynasty and Buffalo’s ongoing quest to conquer their postseason nemesis.