UPDATE: As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for a crucial matchup against the Buffalo Bills on November 5, 2023, Patrick Mahomes is well aware that the Bills’ fans won’t be rolling out the red carpet. “They don’t like us,” Mahomes candidly stated, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two teams.
This animosity stems from Mahomes and the Chiefs blocking the Bills’ Super Bowl aspirations since 2020, with four playoff victories, including a thrilling 32-29 AFC Championship game loss for Buffalo in January. The memory of their 42-36 overtime victory in January 2022, famously known as “13 Seconds,” remains fresh, as it showcased Mahomes’ ability to rally under pressure.
While the stakes for this upcoming game may not be as high as in past playoffs, both teams are vying for key playoff positioning. The Bills, who have won their last four regular-season encounters against the Chiefs, are eager to assert their dominance again. However, Mahomes and his potent offense, now at full capacity, will present a formidable challenge.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen expressed the mutual respect shared between the two teams, despite the fierce competition. “Sometimes it just kind of happens, we’re walking by and sometimes we look for each other,” Allen remarked regarding his interactions with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Allen holds a 4-1 regular-season record against Kansas City, averaging 252 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions.
On the flip side, Allen faces a daunting task against Spagnuolo’s defense, which ranks fourth in the NFL and third against the pass. Kansas City has allowed only 24 points across their last three games, showcasing a strong defensive effort.
The Bills’ offensive struggles have been evident as well, with Allen throwing four interceptions and fumbling in recent games. “It’s just some of the smaller things and again, it pertains to what I’m doing,” he admitted, acknowledging the need for improvement.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo ground game is thriving, highlighted by James Cook’s career-best performance of 216 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a decisive 40-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers last weekend.
For his part, Mahomes is riding high, eager to embrace the electric atmosphere of Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium. “When you watch on TV growing up, that’s the environment you want to play in,” he said, aware that this could be his last game at the historic venue before the Bills move to a new facility next year.
As kickoff approaches, fans and players alike are bracing for what promises to be a heated showdown. The game is not only pivotal for playoff seeding but also a chance for both teams to solidify their standing in the AFC.
Expect the tension to boil over as Mahomes and the Chiefs aim to continue their dominance, while Allen and the Bills fight to reclaim their status as contenders. Be sure to tune in—this clash is shaping up to be a memorable chapter in their ongoing rivalry.