The Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the NFL’s first-ever three-peat by defeating the Buffalo Bills 42-36 in an instant classic. The Chiefs’ offense moved the ball at will in the first half, scoring three touchdowns on four possessions. However, the Bills overcame an 11-point deficit in the third quarter, tying the game in the fourth quarter.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ star quarterback, was sensational in the big moments, rushing for his second touchdown of the day and leading an eight-play, 51-yard field goal drive for the winning score. Mahomes set season highs in dropback success rate (64.7%) and dropback EPA (+21.5), per Next Gen Stats.
The Chiefs’ defense repeatedly stuffed Josh Allen, the Bills’ quarterback, on third-and-short situations, and generated pressure on 45.9% of his dropbacks, the most pressure Allen faced all season. The Bills’ defense, meanwhile, was no match for Mahomes, allowing 17 first downs and 217 total yards in the first half.
The Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, a rematch of their epic Super Bowl LVII bout. The Eagles will attempt to avenge their loss, while the Chiefs will try to bookend their three-peat with wins over Philly.
