Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - An MVP moment from Josh Allen, and a closing statement for the Buffalo Bills.
A 26-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter from the Bills quarterback helped Buffalo seal a 30-21 win on Sunday at Highmark Stadium over the Chiefs, ending Kansas City's unbeaten run to start the 2024 season.
Buffalo got off to a great start defensively, picking off Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the opening drive. On the second play of the drive, Mahomes overthrew his intended target and was intercepted by Bills safety Taylor Rapp.
The Bills offense took advantage of the turnover, as eight plays later, running back James Cook found his way into the end zone from three yards out for the game's opening touchdown.
However, the score remained 6-0 after Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed his extra point attempt wide to the right.
After an exchange of punts, the Chiefs were able to take their first lead of the game as the game bled into the second quarter.
Mahomes targeted wide receiver Xavier Worthy heavily on the drive, as the rookie had four receptions for 61 yards on the drive, and capped it off with a 10-yard touchdown reception to help Kansas City to a 7-6 lead.
Buffalo got a big play from wide receiver Amari Cooper en route to reclaiming the lead. The veteran wideout reeled in a 25-yard pass down to the Chiefs' 7-yard line, setting up Cook for his second rushing touchdown of the game. This time, it came from six yards out to give Buffalo a 13-6 lead.
Despite forcing a three-and-out of the Chiefs, Buffalo failed to take advantage of some favorable field position on its next drive. While sitting in field goal range at the Chiefs' 34-yard line, the Bills chose to go for it on a 4th-and-3, but a miscommunication between Allen and tight end Dawson Knox led to an interception for Kansas City safety Chamarri Conner.
Like Buffalo did to Mahomes after his interception, Kansas City took advantage of the turnover from Allen, as it ended with tight end Noah Gray capping off the short drive with a two-yard touchdown reception to give the Chiefs a 14-13 lead.
Buffalo had one more chance to retake the lead before halftime, and got into field goal range for Bass to drill a 33-yard kick to give the Bills a 16-14 lead as the half ticked to its end.
The third quarter provided far less excitement, as neither team was able to sustain any drives, and the score remained 16-14 entering the final 15 minutes of play.
The fourth quarter started with the Bills driving, and it ended with wide receiver Curtis Samuel scoring his long-awaited first touchdown with the Bills. Despite a throw from Allen being a bit behind him, Samuel reeled in the pass, stayed on his feet, and scampered into the end zone from 12 yards out.
Kansas City clawed back to within two points on its next drive, as Mahomes capped off a 10-play, 70-yard drive with another touchdown toss to Gray, this time from one yard out.
With 7:53 to go on the clock, the goal for the Bills became eating as much clock as possible, while finding a way to extend their lead and put the pressure on the Chiefs in the dying moments.
After going 12 plays and killing 5:36 off the clock, Allen delivered the killing blow on a 4th-and-2 by using his legs to step up in the pocket, then take off and scamper 26 yards for, what could be, the play of the year in the NFL.
With the Bills leading 30-21 and just 2:17 remaining on the clock, the Chiefs needed a touchdown and then some luck on a potential onside kick to have any chance of keeping their unbeaten season alive.
However, Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard ended any hope of a miracle comeback with an interception of Mahomes on a 4th-and-13 play to seal the victory for Buffalo.
With the win, the Bills improve to 9-2 on the season, a mark that has not been reached since the 1992 season.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 6-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (10:00) - James Cook rushes to the outside for a 3-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt misses wide-right)
Drive info: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:15
Second Quarter:
- 7-6 KANSAS CITY: Chiefs touchdown (14:53) - Patrick Mahomes connects with Xavier Worthy, who escapes for a 10-yard touchdown reception. (Spencer Shrader's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 11 plays, 88 yards, 5:27
- 13-7 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (10:08) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:45
- 14-13 KANSAS CITY: Chiefs touchdown (2:51) - Patrick Mahomes fires a 2-yard strike to Noah Gray for a touchdown. (Spencer Shrader's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:34
- 16-14 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (0:00) - Tyler Bass' 33-yard field goal attempt is good
Drive info: 12 plays, 62 yards, 2:51
Third Quarter:
- No scoring plays
Fourth Quarter:
- 23-14 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (12:51) - Josh Allen connects with Curtis Samuel for a 12-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 83 yards, 6:03
- 23-21 BUFFALO: Chiefs touchdown (7:53) - Patrick Mahomes tosses a 1-yard touchdown pass to Noah Gray. (Spencer Shrader's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:58
- 30-21 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (2:17) - Josh Allen takes off and powers his way into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:36
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills hit the bye week before returning home to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. EST, with all the play-by-play action being available on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.