Bills beat Chiefs. Three takeaways.
- Lewis Green
- Nov 20, 2024
- 2 min read
The Kansas City Chiefs' pursuit of perfection came to a halt in Buffalo, as the Bills outlasted them in a physical 30-21 affair. The streak may be over, but this loss isn’t a death knell—it’s a reality check and a potential springboard for what matters most: the threepeat.
If history has taught us anything, losing to Buffalo in the regular season tends to set Kansas City up for a postseason success. Let’s dive into three takeaways from this game:
Takeaway One: Relax, this loss takes KC from the one seed, to the one seed.
Perspective is key, Chiefs Kingdom. Kansas City remains atop the AFC standings despite the 30-21 loss, still in position to control their playoff destiny. Sure, the margin for error has shrunk, but this team knows how to rebound from adversity.
Buffalo controlled the game with over 34 minutes of possession, converting 9 of 15 third downs to methodically extend drives. The turning point came late in the fourth quarter, when Josh Allen capped off his performance with a 26-yard touchdown run to ice the game. Allen’s dual-threat performance (262 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, 2 total TDs) was a frustrating reminder of why he’s one of the league’s elite.
For Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes battled through adversity to keep the Chiefs within striking distance, finishing 23-for-33 with 3 touchdowns. His connection with Noah Gray (2 TDs) was the bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent offensive outing. History tells us a loss to Buffalo in the regular season doesn’t derail championship aspirations. In fact, it might serve as a timely wake-up call. The perfect season may be gone, but the quest for a threepeat is alive and well.
Takeaway Two: Offensive line worries.
Mahomes faced relentless pressure all night, as the Bills’ defensive line executed their game plan to perfection. Buffalo’s front stymied KC’s pass protection, disrupting Mahomes’ rhythm and forcing him into two interceptions.
Kansas City’s issues were compounded by their inability to establish a dominant ground game. Kareem Hunt led the team with 60 yards on 14 carries, but the Bills consistently won in the trenches. The offensive line’s struggles were glaring late in the game, when the Chiefs’ stalled under duress.
Buffalo’s ability to collapse the pocket raises the question: can Kansas City’s offensive line hold up against elite defenses when it matters most? As the Chiefs couldn’t protect Mahomes or establish balance on offense.
Takeaway Three: Xavier Worthy breakout looming?
Xavier Worthy continues to provide hope for the Chiefs’ receiving corps. Against Buffalo, he delivered one of his most promising performances, catching 4 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Mahomes found him for a 10-yard score early in the second quarter, showcasing their growing chemistry.
Worthy’s explosive ability was on full display, as he found space against Buffalo’s secondary. While he narrowly missed another potential big play—a theme in his young career—his reliability in the red zone is becoming a valuable asset. His 6 touchdowns now tie him with Marvin Harrison Jr. for the most among rookies, further cementing his impact as a first-year player.
With Mahomes continuing to build trust in him, Worthy’s breakout moment feels inevitable. As the Chiefs enter the final stretch of the season, his development could provide the spark this offense needs to elevate its play.
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