Hello Everyone, and welcome to the 2nd volume of Weekly Write. Weekly Write is a twice-a-month STL or National sports article by me, Charlie Bilyeu. This week I’m writing about the rival matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional round. 

A look back

The Bills and the Chiefs are both looming threats to any team trying to claim a Lombardi trophy. The Chiefs, led by former MVP, two-time Superbowl winner and starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, were the favorites to win. On the other hand, the Bills weren’t a team to sleep on. Led by fan-loved quarterback Josh Allen and star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Bills and their die-hard fan base were set to host the AFC Divisional round playoff game on Jan. 21st. This wouldn’t be the first time these teams met in the playoffs. Just two seasons ago in 2021 the Bills and the Chiefs played the most exciting, suspenseful and watched game other than the Superbowl that year. In the point-filled ending, the Chiefs prevailed 42-36. 

On Jan. 21st the fans were both excited and cold, leading up to last week’s playoff game. The forecast showed temperatures of 24 degrees or possibly lower. 

The First Quarter

The Bills kicked the game off with a sustained drive that featured a 14-yard sideline pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid and solid runs from James Cook. They drove down to the nine-yard line and Kicker Tyler Bass put the Bills on the board with an early field goal; 3-0 Bills. 

The Chiefs Now had their chance to respond. Two Runs from Rookie Running Back Isiah Pacheco rallied the Chiefs down to mid-field. A pass from Mahomes to 9x Pro-bowl Tight End Travis Kelce Put the Chiefs in field goal range. Another pass attempt would fall short and the Chiefs would also attempt a field goal. Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker attempted and made a 47-yard field goal; 3-3

The Bills’ second possession, much like the first, was a slow and physical drive. Running Backs James Cook and Ty Johnson Helped Buffalo get to the 5-yard line. On a 2nd & 3, Quarterback Josh Allen Trotted in for a rushing Touchdown. With the extra point from Tyler Bass, the score was now 10-3 Bills. 

The Second Quarter

With the score now 10-3 in favor of the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs had to respond quickly, and quickly they did. Patrick Mahomes would float a 29-yard pass to Tight End Travis Kelce. However, the Bills defense would again force Kansas City to kick another field goal, Butker kicked, and he didn’t miss; 10-6 Bills.

The Bills now had a golden opportunity to extend their lead, however, Chiefs Saftey Chamarri Conner would make a crucial tackle to force the Bills to punt. 

The Chiefs didn’t wait to strike with their next possession. Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire made a juke move to the outside and ran for 28 yards. The Defending Superbowl winners didn’t stop there. Mahomes threw a 22-yard Touchdown pass to none other than Star Tight End Travis Kelce. The Extra point was up and good; 13-10 Chiefs. 

The Bills had just over three minutes to try to score again before halftime. Passes from Josh Allen pushed Buffalo Downfield. From the two-yard line, Josh Allen Spirnted through the middle of the Chiefs defense for his second rushing Touchdown of the game. The extra point was good; 17-10 Bills.

The Third Quarter

The Chiefs are known to not take “No” for an answer. That narrative continued. On the first play of the second half, Patrick Mahomes launched a 30-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Excellent performance from Mahomes continued. A quick pass to Travis Kelce Resulted in his second Touchdown of the game. Butker made the Extra point; 20-17 Chiefs.

Bill’s Fans Still Showed hope, and so did the team. Physical Runs from James Cook and Ty Johnson, as well as accurate passes from Josh Allen, drove the Bills down to the 14-yard line. An amazing Toe-Tap Touchdown catch from Khalil Shakir, along with the extra point from Bass, made the score 24-20 Bills.

The Fourth Quarter

The Chiefs again didn’t wait to strike back. A 32-yard Throw from Patrick Mahomes to Valdes-Scantiling set up an 8-yard Touchdown run from Isiah Pacheco. The extra point from Harrison Butker was good; 27-24 Chiefs.

The Bills offense just couldn’t start its motor again. They set up for a punt, A FAKE PUNT! That was easily stopped by the Chiefs. Fans started to get nervous. 

Chiefs ball. The Chiefs Rookie Running Back Isiah Pacheco Ran and Ran till the Chiefs Muscled their way to the three-yard line. Mahomes Handed the ball off to Wide Receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. He ran to the outside, was wrapped up by the Bills defense, and FUMBLED THE BALL! 

The Bills now had the ball, and 12 minutes left to make a comeback. But their offense still struggled. They punted after a dropped ball by Trent Sherfield. 

Chiefs ball. All Kansas City had to do was bleed out the clock and score a touchdown. They did neither. On a 3rd & 10, Mahomes tried to run for the first down but was quickly pulled down by Bills Linebacker Dorian Williams.

Bills ball. After the Offense kept losing yards and stalling, Josh Allen decided he needed to take things into his own hands. He ran and ran and FUMBLED THE BALL! Bills Offensive Lineman Spencer Brown recovered the ball. The people of Buffalo could take a sigh of relief. The clock winded down as the Bills slowly but surely made their way down the field. Josh Allen threw a pass to the end zone, but the pass was high over the head of Stefon Diggs. They had to attempt a field goal. Tyler Bass Stepped up for a 44-yard field goal. If Tyler Bass makes it, the game will be tied. The Snap, the Hold, and the kick is up, NO GOOD. He missed the kick wide right!

Chiefs ball. All they needed was a first down to win and advance to the AFC Championship game. Mahomes Handed the ball off the Isiah Pacheco. The linemen blocked. The defense tried to stop the run. And Isiah Pacheco Ran for the first down. GAME OVER.

Player of The Game

The Chiefs are moving on to the AFC Championship for the sixth season in a row. They are set to face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, January 28th. In my opinion, the big reason the Chiefs are moving on is Tight End Travis Kelce. Two touchdown catches and 75 receiving yards from Kelce helped the Chiefs win. No one knows how the Chiefs season will end. a Super Bowl game? Or watching another team win and move on to the Super Bowl. You’ll have to wait until next week on Weekly Watch.