The AFC Championship on Sunday, Jan. 26, is a battle between two of the best teams in the NFL, with a little recent history thrown in for good measure. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to continue their dynasty and make NFL history. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, are trying to slay the dragon and start a run of their own.
The Chiefs are trying to do what no team has done before: win three straight Super Bowls. They have also beaten the Bills in their last three playoff meetings. Buffalo, on the other hand, is the only team to beat Kansas City this season when all of the Chiefs starters were playing.
The key for the Bills this season is to win the turnover battle. They lead the NFL in that category, having taken the ball away 35 times over the season. And according to coach Sean McDermott, the team has also grown up a little bit.
“It is a maturation for some, and some, where they are at in their careers of, ‘Hey, I haven’t been able to get to this spot,’ or, ‘I know the days are winding down a little bit –– or the years are winding down’ –– and just saying ‘Hey, I’m going to do everything I can to make it all about the team,’ and that’s so, that’s so important,“ said McDermott.
The Bills offense will lean on quarterback and MVP candidate Josh Allen. He has had the best season of his six-year career. His average of 313 yards per game is the most by a quarterback in NFL history.
However, Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie says his teammates know all the stats and are ready for Allen. “Really strong arm –– can really just do it all, make all the throws, can run the ball very well,” said McDuffie. “This year, you can kind of just see his confidence, y’know what I mean? He’s making smarter decisions, not turning the ball over as much, and he’s really got that offense rolling. We know it’s going to be a big challenge, but we’ve played them a few years, we know what he’s about.”
It’s clear from the last few seasons that the Chiefs are built for the playoffs and seemingly relentless in games like this, no matter who makes the big plays. Stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and head coach Andy Reid are trying to make their fifth Super Bowl appearance in the last six seasons.
When asked about the secret to that success, Kelce said, “Don’t let the lights blind you. It’s a big moment. You’re going to hype it up yourself because you’ve been dreaming about moments like these. The thing is that you’re good enough; you don’t have to be anybody that you’re not. You don’t have to force yourself to be somebody greater than who you are.“
The oddsmakers are giving the Chiefs a 2-point edge. The winner will have a date with either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Washington Commanders at the 2025 Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
