Chiefs down Bills in AFC championship game, advance to Super Bowl 59: Highlights

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It came down to a key stop after the two-minute warning and the Kansas City Chiefs maintained their chance at history with a 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game.

Buffalo's offense had the ball near midfield facing 4th-and-5 with a chance to keep their season alive. Kansas City sent a cornerback blitz and forced Josh Allen to take a deep shot to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who couldn't hold on for a conversion. A pair of first downs sealed the win and the Chiefs' shot at a record third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Things got off to a slow start for Buffalo with a three-and-out to open the game. The Chiefs capitalized and drove 90 yards for a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead. Buffalo answered with a field goal and a Patrick Mahomes fumble led to a Bills touchdown as the visitors took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Kansas City scored 14 unanswered points, seven on a touchdown pass from Mahomes to Xavier Worthy and another on a one-yard touchdown run by Mahomes. Buffalo managed another touchdown drive before halftime to cut the Chiefs' lead to 21-16.

The Bills responded well to open the second half by getting two stops on defense and scored a go-ahead touchdown with a one-yard run by James Cook. Their second two-point conversion attempt of the night failed but the Bills kept a 22-21 lead.

Allen couldn't convert a 4th-and-inches in a close call early in the fourth quarter which gave Kansas City the ball back. The Chiefs' offense made them pay for the turnover, driving 59 yards for a go-ahead score on a 10-yard touchdown run by Mahomes.

Buffalo responded on the next drive as Allen found Curtis Samuel for the game-tying touchdown to make it 29-29 with six minutes to go in the game. Kansas City responded on their ensuing possession as kicker Harrison Butker made a 35-yard field goal to make it 32-29.

The Chiefs' defense made a big stop on fourth down and held on to seal the franchise's third consecutive Super Bowl berth. They'll face the Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl 57.

Buffalo has lost to Kansas City in the playoffs four times in the last five years. They're 4-1 against the Chiefs in the regular season with Josh Allen at quarterback but 0-4 in the playoffs.

Mahomes joins Tom Brady and John Elway as the only starting quarterbacks to reach the Super Bowl five times.

The latest chapter in the Mahome-Allen rivalry has been written.

Paste BN Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the AFC championship game between the Bills and Chiefs on Sunday below. All times are Eastern.

Chiefs-Bills final score: Kansas City punches ticket to Super Bowl

Chiefs 32, Bills 29

Chiefs vs. Bills AFC championship game highlights

Bills can't convert on 4th-and-5, turn the ball over on downs

Buffalo's season was on the line on 4th-and-5 from their own 47-yard line. The Chiefs sent a blitz on the right side and Josh Allen threw it deep towards tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid couldn't hold on and the Chiefs take over on downs.

Bills facing 4th-and-5 after two-minute warning

As the game clock hits two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Bills are facing the biggest down of the game. They're at 4th-and-5 from their own 47 with their season on the line.

Chiefs-Bills score: Harrison Butker hits 35-yard FG to take the lead

Kansas City broke the tie again with an eight-play drive but the Bills' defense got a key sack on 1st-and-goal to keep the Chiefs from scoring a touchdown. Harrison Butker made his first field goal of the night from 35 yards out to give Kansas City the lead with 3:33 left in the game.

Chiefs 32, Bills 29

Chiefs-Bills score: Josh Allen hits Curtis Samuel for game-tying TD

Facing 4th-and-goal from the Chiefs' 4-yard line, Josh Allen dropped back and threw to the back right of the end zone to wide receiver Curtis Samuel for a touchdown. Tyler Bass' extra point is good and the game is tied with 6:15 to go in the fourth quarter.

Allen found Mack Hollins again for a deep shot on the drive, this time a 32-yard completion on 3rd-and-8 from the Chiefs' 36.

Chiefs 29, Bills 29

Chiefs-Bills score: Mahomes runs it in from 10 yards out

Kansas City made the most of the Bills' turnover on downs, going 59 yards in just five plays to get the go-ahead score on a 10-yard run by Patrick Mahomes. He found wide receiver Justin Watson for the two-point conversion.

The Chiefs did not face a third down all drive as Mahomes found wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 29-yard gain deep into Buffalo territory. The Bills will get the ball back with 10:14 to go in the game.

Chiefs 29, Bills 22

Bills can't convert 4th-and-inches, turn the ball over on downs

Buffalo had converted their previous three fourth-down attempts but couldn't get a fourth one as Josh Allen couldn't get less than a yard on a sneak attempt. Allen converted a 4th-and-1 near midfield earlier in the drive but the Bills couldn't keep the drive alive.

Kansas City's offense will take over from their own 41-yard line down 22-21 with 12:55 to go in the fourth quarter.

Bills facing 4th-and-1 to open fourth quarter

Buffalo's offense has the ball at their own 48-yard line as the third quarter comes to a close. Josh Allen's run up the middle on 3rd-and-1 didn't get past the first-down marker and the Bills offense will open the final quarter of the AFC championship game facing a crucial 4th-and-1.

Chiefs lose five yards in four plays, settle for another punt

Patrick Mahomes found wide receiver Marquise Brown deep down the left sideline on 3rd-and-15 following a false start penalty, but Brown couldn't keep both feet inbounds. The Chiefs punted for the second time tonight from their own 25.

Buffalo will take over on offense at their own 30-yard line with 1:56 to go in the third quarter.

Chiefs-Bills score: James Cook reaches for go-ahead TD

Buffalo's offense capitalized on the Chiefs' first punt of the game by driving the ball 80 yards in just over seven minutes, capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by James Cook on 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line. The Bills went for the two-point conversion but quarterback Josh Allen was sacked.

Allen's three-yard run on 4th-and-1 from the Chiefs' 33-yard line kept the drive alive and his legs brought the Bills to goal-to-go distance with a 13-yard run two plays later. Buffalo holds a one-point lead with 2:56 to go in the third quarter.

Bills 22. Chiefs 21

Bills' Matt Milano sacks Patrick Mahomes to force punt to open second half

Kansas City's offense was driving past midfield but the Buffalo defense came up big to force the Chiefs' first punt of the game. Linebacker Matt Milano spied Patrick Mahomes and sprinted over to him before the Kansas City quarterback could scramble for more yards on 3rd-and-11 from the Bills' 37-yard line.

After a short punt and touchback, Buffalo will take over at its own 20-yard line with 10:01 to go in the third quarter.

Chiefs halftime player stats vs. Bills in AFC championship game

Passing

Patrick Mahomes: 10/13 passing, 132 passing yards, 1 TD

Rushing

Kareem Hunt: 8 carries, 41 rushing yards, 1 TD
Patrick Mahomes: 6 carries, 17 rushing yards, 1 TD
Xavier Worthy: 2 carries, 16 rushing yards
Isiah Pacheco: 4 carries, 11 rushing yards

Receiving

Xavier Worthy 5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
JuJu Smith-Schuster: 1 reception, 31 yards
Hollywood Brown: 2 receptions, 20 yards
DeAndre Hopkins: 1 reception, 11 yards
Travis Kelce: 1 reception, 8 yards

Bills halftime player stats vs. Chiefs in AFC championship game

Passing

Josh Allen: 13/20 passing, 150 passing yards, 1 TD

Rushing

James Cook: 4 carries, 23 rushing yards, 1 TD
Ty Johnson: 3 carries, 10 rushing yards
Josh Allen: 3 carries, 6 rushing yards
Ray Davis: 1 carries, 4 rushing yards

Receiving

Mack Hollins: 2 receptions, 41 yards
Khalil Shakir: 5 receptions, 41 yards
Amari Cooper: 3 receptions, 28 yards
James Cook: 1 reception, 17 yards
Keon Coleman: 1 reception, 12 yards
Dalton Kincaid: 1 reception, 11 yards

Halftime score: Chiefs 21, Bills 16

Kansas City kneeled to close out the first half with a five-point lead behind a good first half from Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs' quarterback completed 10 of 13 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown pass to wide receiver Xavier Worthy. His fumble late in the first quarter was a rare mistake and set up Buffalo for their first touchdown drive of the half.

Buffalo rebounded from a quick three-and-out to open the game. Quarterback Josh Allen completed 13 of 20 passes in the first half for 150 yards and a touchdown. The Bills have run the ball just 11 times in the first half compared to 36 times total last week against the Ravens.

Kansas City will receive the second-half kickoff.

Chiefs-Bills score: Josh Allen hits Mack Hollins for late-half TD

Buffalo marched 73 yards in just 92 seconds to cut the deficit to five points before halftime behind a 34-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to wide receiver Mack Hollins.

After a penalty on the extra point, the Bills attempted a two-point conversion, but Allen could not run it in from one yard out. Kansas City holds a five-point lead with 23 seconds to go in the first half.

Chiefs 21, Bills 16

Chiefs-Bills score: Mahomes scrambles for 1-yard TD

The Chiefs maximized the long punt return and found the end zone once again before halftime, this time on a one-yard run by Patrick Mahomes. Harrison Butker's extra point is good again and the Chiefs take a two-score lead with 1:55 to go before halftime.

Kansas City got inside the 5-yard line thanks to a 26-yard throw from Mahomes to wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Buffalo challenged whether Worthy had possession and ultimately ruled he did. Four plays later, Mahomes ran it in from one yard out.

Chiefs 21, Bills 10

Must-see play: Bills punt, Chiefs get excellent field position on return

Josh Allen threw three incomplete passes in a row and the Bills offense had to punt for the second time in the first half. Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio took the kick 41 yards to the Bills' 34-yard line and the Chiefs will have a good chance to score once again before halftime.

Chiefs-Bills score: Mahomes finds Xavier Worthy for go-ahead TD

Kansas City's offense responded to Buffalo's touchdown drive with one of their own. Patrick Mahomes found rookie wide receiver for an 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown to put Kansas City back ahead. Harrison Butker's extra point is good and the Chiefs take the lead with 4:13 to go in the first half.

Mahomes completed all five pass attempts on the drive and scrambled for six yards on a crucial 4th-and-1 conversion to keep the drive going near midfield.

Chiefs 14, Bills 10

Chiefs-Bills score: James Cook gives Buffalo the lead

The Bills offense capitalized on Patrick Mahomes' fumble with a 10-play, 72-yard scoring drive that culminated in running back James Cook sprinting down the left side for a six-yard touchdown run. Tyler Bass' extra point is good and the Bills get their first lead of the game with 10:25 to go in the second quarter.

Buffalo had multiple key third-down conversions, starting with a 10-yard pass from Allen to Amari Cooper on 3rd-and-9 to extend the drive closer to the red zone. Allen fumbled on the next play but found Khalil Shakir for a 24-yard gain on 3rd-and-13 to get the Bills in a goal-to-go situation.

Bills 10, Chiefs 7

End of first quarter: Bills get new set of downs as first quarter closes

Buffalo's gone 12 yards in two plays after recovering the Chiefs' fumble. The Bills offense will be facing 1st-and-10 from their own 40-yard line to start the second quarter.

Bills get turnover on Patrick Mahomes fumble

Kansas City was driving near the red zone when Patrick Mahomes fumbled a fake handoff to running back Isiah Pacheco. The ball hit the ground and Buffalo defensive lineman Ed Oliver corralled it at the Bills' 28-yard line. Buffalo will take over on offense with 57 seconds to go in the first quarter.

Chiefs-Bills score: Buffalo gets on the board with Tyler Bass FG

Buffalo's second offensive drive of the game went much better than the first as the Bills picked up a pair of first downs. A fumbled exchange between Josh Allen and running back James Cook on 2nd-and-5 from the Chiefs' 35-yard line stopped the Bills' progress, though, and Buffalo couldn't convert on 3rd-and-9. Tyler Bass knocked through a 53-yard field goal to get Buffalo on the board with 3:45 to go in the first quarter.

Chiefs 7, Bills 3

Chiefs-Bills score: Kareem Hunt opens up the scoring with 12-yard touchdown

After the Bills' three-and-out, Kansas City took over on offense and marched 90 yards in nine plays, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Kareem Hunt. Harrison Butker's extra point is good and the Chiefs hold an early lead in the AFC championship game.

Buffalo will take over with 8:56 to go in the first quarter.

Chiefs 7, Bills 0

Bills punt after Josh Allen narrowly avoids INTs twice on opening drive

Buffalo wasn't able to move the chains on their first drive of the game. Quarterback Josh Allen narrowly missed interceptions on his first two passes of the game, one on a throw over the middle to Mack Hollins and another on a deep shot down the left sideline to Keon Coleman.

Chiefs vs. Bills start time

Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

The Bills and Chiefs game will wrap up the conference championship matchups kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Chiefs vs. Bills TV channel

Cable TV: CBS

Chiefs inactives vs. Bills

There are no surprise inactives for the two-time defending Super Bowl champs in the AFC championship.

Bills inactives vs. Chiefs

There are no shocking inactive players for Buffalo in the AFC championship. The most significant absence will be safety Taylor Rapp.

Is Taylor Swift at the Chiefs vs. Bills game?

Yes, Swift is in attendance to watch Travis Kelce in action against the Bills. She was spotted entering Arrowhead Stadium with Donna Kelce and figures to be in her usual suite.

Chiefs vs. Bills predictions, picks

Here's how the Paste BN Sports staff feels the AFC championship between the Bills and Chiefs will shape up:

Lorenzo Reyes: Bills 31, Chiefs 23
Tyler Dragon: Chiefs 26, Bills 22
Jordan Mendoza: Bills 29, Chiefs 28

Chiefs vs. Bills live stream

Live stream: Fubo | Paramount+

For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.

Chiefs vs. Bills odds, moneyline, over/under

The Chiefs are favorites to defeat the Bills, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.

Spread: Chiefs (-2)
Moneyline: Chiefs (-130); Bills (+110)
Over/under: 48.5

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Who is the highest-paid NFL player? 

The NFL's top 18 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the league's highest-paid player before the 2024 season, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on the highest-paid list after striking a four-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason. 

Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?

We have a complete list at every position: 

Chiefs vs. Bills best bets

Looking to make the Chiefs-Bills playoff matchup a bit more interesting? Here are some of the best bets for the game:

Kareem Hunt OVER 34.5 rushing yards (-115)
Dawson Knox OVER 14.5 receiving yards (-115)
Travis Kelce anytime TD scorer (+130)

Super Bowl odds

Here are the Super Bowl odds for the remaining four teams in the NFL playoffs, according to BetMGM:

Philadelphia Eagles: +180
Kansas City Chiefs: +200
Buffalo Bills: +260
Washington Commanders: +850

How many Super Bowls have the Chiefs won?

The Chiefs have won four Super Bowls. They are as follows:

Super Bowl 4
Super Bowl 54
Super Bowl 57
Super Bowl 58

Three of those championships have come with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes as the team's coach and quarterback. They are going for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat in 2025 and will need to win just three more games to accomplish that goal.

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?

The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six.

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups.

NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:

➤ Super Bowl winners: All-time scores, results for NFL title game

Did Patrick Mahomes have his baby?

Mahomes' wife Brittany gave berth to the couple's third child – a daughter, Golden Raye – during Kansas City's playoff bye week. Sterling Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes III (a.k.a. Bronze) are the couple's other two children.

Updated 2025 NFL playoff bracket

Just two games remain before NFL fans will know who plays in Super Bowl 59. They are as follows:

NFC championship game: Eagles vs. Commanders
AFC championship game: Chiefs vs. Bills

Where is Chiefs vs. Bills?

The Chiefs are defending home turf vs. the Bills on Sunday, as Buffalo travels to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri for the matchup.

Chiefs vs. Bills weather updates

Temperatures will peak at 33 degrees on Sunday. That's a bit chillier than Saturday's estimated high of 41 degrees, but there is still a chance that the temperature won't drop below freezing until after the AFC championship game kicks off.

Below are the full details of Sunday's forecast for Kansas City, Mo., according to the National Weather Service.

High temperature: 33 degrees
Low temperature: 21 degrees
Chance of precipitation: 0%
Wind: 3-6 mph

There is not expected to be any precipitation during Sunday's game nor is there expected to be much wind.

What happened to Rashee Rice?

The Chiefs placed Rice on injured reserve following the team’s Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Rice injured his right knee while trying to tackle Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton following an interception by Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter. As Rice went in for the tackle, Mahomes inadvertently collided with the wideout as he attempted to take down Fulton.

Rice underwent successful surgery to repair the LCL in his right knee.

Current NFL draft 2025 order

Here's the projected 2025 NFL draft order entering the AFC and NFC championship games (picks Nos. 29-30 will be decided by today’s results): according to Tankathon.com:

Tennessee Titans: 3-14 record; .522 strength of schedule (SOS)
Cleveland Browns: 3-14; .536 SOS
New York Giants: 3-14; .554 SOS
New England Patriots: 4-13; .471 SOS
Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-13; .478 SOS
Las Vegas Raiders: 4-13; .540 SOS
New York Jets: 5-12; .495 SOS
Carolina Panthers: 5-12; .498 SOS
New Orleans Saints: 5-12; .505 SOS
Chicago Bears: 5-12; .554 SOS
San Francisco 49ers: 6-11; .564 SOS
Dallas Cowboys: 7-10; .522 SOS
Miami Dolphins: 8-9; .419 SOS
Indianapolis Colts: 8-9; .457 SOS
Atlanta Falcons: 8-9; .519 SOS
Arizona Cardinals: 8-9; .536 SOS
Cincinnati Bengals: 9-8; .478 SOS
Seattle Seahawks: 10-7; .498 SOS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-7; .502 SOS
Denver Broncos: 10-7; .502 SOS
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7; .502 SOS
Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .467 SOS
Green Bay Packers: 11-6; .533 SOS
Minnesota Vikings: 14-3; .474 SOS
Houston Texans: 10-7; .481 SOS
Los Angeles Rams: 10-7; .505 SOS
Baltimore Ravens: 12-5; .529 SOS
Detroit Lions: 15-2; .519 SOS
Washington Commanders: 12-5; .436 SOS
Buffalo Bills: 13-4; .467 SOS
Philadelphia Eagles: 14-3; .453 SOS
Kansas City Chiefs: 15-2; .488 SOS

Who will winner of Chiefs vs. Bills play next?

The winner of tonight’s AFC Championship between the Chiefs and Bills will advance to the Super Bowl and play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

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