Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) slips past Kansas City cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (13) to score on a 26-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y.Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press
Josh Allen ran for a 26-yard touchdown on fourth down with 2:17 left, sealing the Buffalo Bills’ 30-21 win over Kansas City on Sunday and handing the two-time defending Super Bowl champions their first loss of the season.
James Cook rushed for two touchdowns and Allen threw a 12-yard TD pass to Curtis Samuel for Buffalo (9-2), which closed the gap on Kansas City (9-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed.
Patrick Mahomes and KC were the NFL’s last undefeated team and finally ran out ways to eke out one-score victories and overcome second-half deficits. KC had won 15 in a row, including playoffs.
The Bills have won six in a row and moved closer to their sixth consecutive AFC East title.
Buffalo has defeated Kansas City in four straight regular-season meetings, though Kansas City holds the postseason edge, having won the past three matchups dating to 2020. And it wouldn’t be a surprise if the teams met again in January.
The packed stadium erupted in chants of “MVP!” as the videoboard showed replays of Allen’s touchdown. Bills coach Sean McDermott opted to go for it on fourth-and-two instead of kicking a field goal for a five-point lead. Allen faked a pass to his left and then broke up the middle, where he bounced off two KC defenders before crossing the goal line.
Allen played through a sore throwing hand, which was examined on the sideline during the game. He finished 27 of 40 for 262 yards with the TDs passing and rushing and an interception.
The rushing touchdown was the 58th of Allen’s career, moving him into second on the Bills list, one ahead of O.J. Simpson, and seven behind Thurman Thomas. Allen’s two-touchdown outing also increased his total to 244, tying Jim Kelly for first in team history.
Buffalo’s defence ended Kansas City’s desperate final drive linebacker Terrel Bernard intercepted Mahomes.
Mahomes finished 23 of 33 for 196 yards with three touchdown passes – two to tight end Noah Gray and another to Xavier Worthy – and two interceptions.
A highly anticipated showdown between two of the NFL’s top quarterbacks turned into a battle of defences through three quarters. The Bills went ahead 23-14 a little more two minutes into the fourth quarter when Allen capped a 10-play, 83-yard drive with a short pass to Samuel, who sidestepped a defender and raced into the end zone.
Mahomes responded by marching KC on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a one-yard TD catch by Gray with 7:53 left.
Kansas City had shown resolve in winning its first nine games by a combined 58 points, with four decided on the final play. This time there were no late-game dramatics for a KC offence that finished with a season-low 259 yards.
Taylor Swift update: The world’s No. 1 pop star was apparently not at Highmark Stadium to watch her boyfriend, KC receiver Travis Kelce. Despite being only a two-hour drive (or 40-minute flight) from Buffalo, Swift is said to have decided to stay in Toronto, where she had completed three of her six shows in the Eras Tour. Her sold-out shows resume in Toronto on Thursday.