Buffalo Outlasts Kansas City in Another Mahomes–Allen Classic

by Jake Lax, November 03, 2025

Source: AP Photo

The Kansas City Chiefs traveled to Buffalo Bills in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship. This would be the 10th matchup between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Before Sunday’s matchup, Allen had the upper hand in the regular season matchups, going 4-1. However, in the important playoff matchups, Mahomes is still undefeated against Allen, 4-0.

Bills Strike First

The Bills received the opening kickoff, and quarterback Josh Allen came out sharp, connecting three times with wide receiver Khalil Shakir to move the chains and keep the drive going. Running back James Cook added a couple of short runs to move the Bills downfield. On 3rd and 8 from the Kansas City 23-yard line, Allen dropped back and fired a dart to tight end Dalton Kincaid for a touchdown. This gave the Bills a 7-0 lead on the opening drive. The Chiefs’ offense struggled on their opening drive, going 3 and out after two incomplete passes from Patrick Mahomes.

As Buffalo got the ball back, hoping to go up two scores, they started on the ground with Cook, who was able to take two rushes for 15 yards, bringing the Bills to midfield. Allen made a couple of short passes but failed to move the chains, setting up a 4th and 2, where Allen missed his wide receiver, Shakir, turning the ball over on downs. Mahomes and the Chiefs had great field position to start their second drive right at midfield.

Mahomes and Rice Respond

Patrick Mahomes got things rolling with a 20-yard strike to wide receiver Rashee Rice, who found space over the middle to move the chains. From there, the Chiefs leaned on the run game, with Kareem Hunt powering through the Buffalo front seven for a series of tough gains. Hunt’s running brought Kansas City all the way to the Bills’ 3-yard line as the first quarter came to a close. On the first play of the second quarter, the Chiefs set up a direct snap to Rashee Rice, who took it over the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown. The score tied the game at 7–7 early in the second. The next Bills drive saw short gains on first and second down, setting up a 3rd and 3. On 3rd down, defensive end George Karlaftis broke through the line and dropped Allen for a sack, forcing a quick three-and-out and swinging momentum back to Kansas City.

Patrick Mahomes opened the drive by hitting Rashee Rice for a 24-yard gain. Kareem Hunt followed with a 13-yard run and setting the Chiefs up near field goal range. But the drive stalled from there. Facing 3rd-and-12, Mahomes found Xavier Worthy on a short route, but the wideout was stopped short of the sticks. That brought out kicker Harrison Butker, who drilled a 46-yard field goal to give Kansas City its first lead of the night, 10–7.

Bills’ Second Quarter Surge

Josh Allen opened the drive with an 18-yard strike to Jackson Hawes. Two plays later, Allen threw a deep ball down to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who hauled in a 47-yard catch to set Buffalo up at the Kansas City 8-yard line. From there, running back Ty Johnson took over. After a short gain on first down, Johnson powered through the line on a 3-yard touchdown run, capping off the drive and putting Buffalo back in front, 14–10.

Kansas City’s offense stalled again on its next possession, coming up short on a 4th-down attempt and handing the ball right back to Buffalo. The Bills wasted no time capitalizing. Josh Allen found tight end Dawson Knox on a 30-yard strike, setting Buffalo up at the Chiefs’ goal line. Josh Allen would take it from there. He powered through the middle for a 1-yard rushing touchdown, extending Buffalo’s lead to 21–10 late in the second quarter.

With just over a minute remaining in the second quarter, Kansas City pieced together a quick drive to stay within striking distance. The Chiefs reached the Buffalo 1-yard line but couldn’t punch it in, settling for a 19-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. The kick brought the score to 21–13 heading into halftime.

Bills and Chiefs Trade Stops

The third quarter turned into a defensive grind, with both offenses struggling to find rhythm and trading punts. But as the quarter was coming to an end, Josh Allen and the Bills finally got something going. Allen spread the ball around, connecting with three different receivers to keep the chains moving. Buffalo’s 74-yard drive brought them to the doorstep once again, and there was no mystery about what came next. Allen took the snap and powered forward for a 1-yard touchdown run, his second rushing score of the night. The drive closed out the third quarter and gave Buffalo a commanding 28–13 lead heading into the final quarter.

On the next Kansas City drive, facing an early 3rd-and-10, Mahomes found Hollywood Brown for a 33-yard gain, giving them life. But after a sack and an incomplete pass, the Chiefs faced a daunting 4th-and-17 from the Buffalo 40. Rather than punt, the Chiefs rolled the dice. Mahomes stepped up and fired a laser to Rashee Rice, who made a clutch catch for 29 yards to move the chains and set Kansas City up in the red zone. From there, Kareem Hunt took over, grinding out tough yards before finally punching it in on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Kansas City went for two, and Mahomes delivered again, finding Travis Kelce in the end zone to cut the deficit to 28–21 early in the fourth quarter.

Chiefs’ Late Push Falls Short

After forcing a Bills punt, the Chiefs got the ball back, but Mahomes missed his receiver, Xavier Worthy. The pass was intercepted by Maxwell Hairston, giving the Bills the ball back and a chance to close it out. Buffalo ran the clock down all the way to 26 seconds, where they attempted a 52-yard field goal to win the game. Kicker Matt Prater missed it, hitting the right upright and giving the Chiefs one last breath. Mahomes would only complete one pass for 18 yards, then miss his next three passes to end the game, as the Bills win another classic 28-21.

Final Stats and Takeaways

• Josh Allen: 273 Passing Yards, 3 Total TDS
• Dalton Kincaid: 6 Receptions, 101 Yards, 1 TD
• Patrick Mahomes: 250 Passing Yards, 1 INT
• Rashee Rice: 4 Receptions, 86 Total Yards, 1 TD

The Chiefs fall to 5-4 on the season and 3rd in the AFC West and are on their bye week following the loss. The Bills improve to 6-2 on the season and are still behind the Patriots for 1st place in the AFC East. Buffalo will travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins next week, where they’ll look to win their 3rd straight.