There aren’t many rivalries in the NFL better than what we’ve seen from Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The two quarterbacks continually battle in classic games, and it’s a rivalry that is fueled by respect rather than animosity.
That was clear once again on Sunday.
In an absolutely electric scene at Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season. And while Kansas City showed signs of rallying in the fourth quarter, it was Allen who closed the door with his touchdown run to stretch the game to two possessions.
And if we’ve learned anything from Chiefs-Bills games in the Mahomes-Allen era, it’s that we’ll probably get more of it in January. Mahomes was thinking that when the two players met at midfield after the Bills’ 30-21 win.
The Buffalo #Bills defeated the #Chiefs 30-21 in Week 11 to break Kansas City’s undefeated record.
The Kansas City Chiefs had their hopes for an undefeated season dashed by the Buffalo Bills in Week 11.
The Bills, who entered the game with an 8-2 record, ended Kansas City’s nine-game winning streak in a game that ended in a 30-21 final score in Buffalo’s favor.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen put together an impressive performance, throwing for 262 yards and one touchdown against the Chiefs’ outstanding defense.
Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions in the game but threw three touchdown passes in the game that kept Kansas City within striking distance of Buffalo.
The matchup’s most consequential play came late in the fourth quarter when Allen ran for a touchdown to put the Chiefs down by two scores.
Though this game didn’t end the way fans in Kansas City had hoped it would, the Chiefs showed outstanding effort on both sides of the ball and may get their chance for revenge against the Bills in the AFC playoffs.
The loss was Kansas City’s first of the 2024 season. The last time the Chiefs had lost was on Christmas.
Allen threw a touchdown pass in addition to running for the late TD.
The Bills managed to contain Patrick Mahomes, who threw three touchdown passes but only for 196 yards and had two throws picked off.
The Bills improve to 9-2 and the Chiefs fall to 9-1.
On 4th & 2 with 2:27 left in regulation, Josh Allen dropped back before breaking off a 26-yard TD run.
Allen had just a 1.2% chance of scoring a touchdown once he tucked the ball to run. It was Allen’s first scramble TD run against the Chiefs in his career.
Kansas City #Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner came down with an impressive interception against Buffalo #Bills QB Josh Allen in Week 11.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of a heated Week 11 battle with the Buffalo Bills as they look to keep their undefeated season alive.
After an early turnover by quarterback Patrick Mahomes led to a Bills touchdown, Buffalo’s offense decided to return the favor with a turnover of their own.
When Bills quarterback Josh Allen marched Buffalo’s offense downfield with the chance to go up two scores, the Bills found themselves in a fourth-down situation and decided to test the Chiefs’ defense.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, Allen was stopped by second-year defensive back Chamarri Conner, who made a beautiful leaping interception.
Take a look at Conner’s leaping interception, which the Chiefs posted from their official account on Twitter:
If Kansas City’s defense can continue to give Allen fits in today’s game, the reigning Super Bowl champs could earn their tenth regular season win at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
See all the players who appeared on the #Bills’ injury report heading into Buffalo’s Week 11 matchup against the Kansas City #Chiefs.
The Buffalo Bills need every advantage they can get today to topple the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the NFL’s only undefeated team through 10 weeks of the regular season.
However, Buffalo is heading into Week 11 with 17 players on its injury report, so a win over the defending Super Bowl champions won’t come easy for the Bills this afternoon.
Star quarterback Josh Allen could find himself short of available targets, as the depth of Buffalo’s receiving corps has been decimated by injuries.
The Bills will be without starting wide receiver Keon Coleman and budding tight end Dalton Kincaid. Veteran wideout Amari Cooper is also listed as questionable, as well as starting offensive lineman Spencer Brown.
Take a look at the full report, which Chiefs senior team reporter Matt McMullen shared on Twitter:
Though Kansas City’s season has been plagued by injuries, their struggle to stay healthy pales in comparison to Buffalo’s current situation heading into Sunday’s game. The Bills may be forced to adjust on the fly to break the Chiefs’ impressive winning streak.
Are the #Chiefs playing today? Here’s a look at Kansas City’s schedule and the games to come.
Will the Kansas City Chiefs be on the field today in Week 11 of the NFL’s regular season schedule?
The Chiefs have traveled to Orchard Park, New York to visit the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium for a showdown of AFC powerhouses that will take place at 3:25 p.m. CT and be broadcast on CBS.
This tilt between the top two teams in the AFC will have implications on the AFC playoffs, and is a crucial moment for both franchises. It is expected to be among the most exciting games of the season.
Josh Allen and the Bills will present themselves as tough contenders. Allen is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and Buffalo is competent on both sides of the ball.
Watch Kansas City attempt to snap the Bills’ five-game win streak to keep its perfect season intact heading into Week 12.
Which brings us to this question: will she attend Sunday’s Bills game against the Kansas City Chiefs (and will she see Taylor Swift there?)?
It’s a home game, for what it’s worth, so maybe that helps. So maybe she’ll attend given that it’s one of the biggest games of the year? We’ve seen no indication either way.
Causes for concern as the Bills face the Chiefs in Week 11
The Buffalo Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Week 11.
The Bills (8-2) and Chiefs (9-0) are the top two seeds in the AFC currently. The second-place Bills are riding a five-game win streak while the top-seeded Chiefs haven’t lost since Christmas Day in 2023.
Even though Buffalo is favored to win the game, there are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.
Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 11:
Chris Jones is a disrupter
Chris Jones continues to be a menace on the defensive line for the Chiefs in his ninth season. His specialty is getting after the passer. Pro Football Focus grades him as the best pass rusher of all interior defenders in the NFL, with a pass rush grade of 90.8.
They don’t just use him in the interior, either. He bounces around the defensive line and can take advantage of mismatches wherever they see fit. If the Bills are without right tackle Spencer Brown, Jones could be even more of a problem for quarterback Josh Allen and the offense.
Time of possession
The Chiefs average the most time of possession per game in the NFL. Their average of just over 33 minutes of possession per game means they possess the ball about six minutes longer then their opponent. Allen is right up there with Patrick Mahomes as far as quarterback talent, but if Allen has the ball six minutes less than Mahomes, it will make it hard to bring down the undefeated, reigning champs.
If the Bills defense can’t get the Chiefs off the field, then it will play into exactly how the Chiefs have been winning games this year. They’ve had long drives on offense and on defense they have held their opponents to 17.9 points per game (T-5th in the NFL).
Babich’s first go-round with KC
This will be a big game for first-year defensive play caller Bobby Babich. It will be his first time calling plays against Andy Reid and the Chiefs offense. Babich has had an excellent first year as defensive coordinator, but he has struggled against some of the league’s better offenses like the Baltimore Ravens.
This will be a big stepping stone in his young career. If his defense is flying around and making plays against Mahomes, then it is a huge win for the Bills going forward. If the Bills struggle with some of the creativity that is usually seen from a Reid offense, then it could be a long day for Buffalo.
Kansas City #Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis discusses matchup with the Buffalo #Bills: ‘We’ve got to bring our A-Game’ | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs defense had a late-game scare against the Denver Broncos last week but is using the experience to sharpen up for Week 11. Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis explained to reporters on Friday that he is very familiar with this Sunday’s opponent.
“They got great guys all over the board, starting with their quarterback, running back, offensive line, receivers, and great defense, too. It’s a tough environment to play,” said Karlaftis. “We obviously played a lot of close games with them, having won once at least since I’ve been here in the regular season. Beat them in the playoffs, obviously. We got to bring our A-Game this week.”
The defense will focus on Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen, who has played almost error-free football this season. Karlaftis acknowledged Allen’s talent and the need to slow him down to secure the victory.
“What’s unique about him is he could run. First of all, he’s like one of the best quarterbacks in the league, right? That goes without saying.” said Karlaftis. “He can move as well as he does, and he’s my size, if not a little bigger. You respect that even a little more. So he’s, like I said, one of those elite guys who can make all the throws with his dangerous feet. So, you got to have stuff, and you got to prepare all week for a guy like that.”
The Bills are one of the top teams in the conference and are well aware of the potential impact a victory over the league-leading Chiefs could have on their postseason seeding.