User:James161723/Bills–Chiefs rivalry draft

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Bills–Chiefs rivalry

Bills–Chiefs rivalry

Buffalo Bills Kansas City Chiefs
First meeting	November 6, 1960 Texans 45, Bills 28
Latest meeting	December 10, 2023 Bills 20, Chiefs 17
Next meeting	TBD
Statistics
Meetings total	54 meetings
All-time series	Bills, 29–24–1
Regular season series	Bills, 27–21–1
Postseason results	Chiefs, 3–2 Most recent January 23, 2022 Chiefs 42, Bills 36 (OT)
Largest victory	Bills, 50–17 (1976) Chiefs, 38–5 (2003)
Longest win streak	Chiefs, 6 (1967–1971) Bills, 5 (1963–1965)
Current win streak	Bills, 2 (2022–present)
Playoff and Championship Success
AFL Championships (5) Chiefs (3) – 1962, 1966, 1969 Bills (2) – 1964, 1965 Super Bowl Championships (3) Chiefs (3) – 1969 (IV), 2019 (LIV), 2022 (LVII) Bills (0) – None Super Bowl Appearances (7) Bills (4) – 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 Chiefs (3) – 1969, 2019, 2022

The Bills–Chiefs rivalry is a National Football League rivalry between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. The series originated during the American Football League's inaugural season in 1960, as both the Chiefs, then known as the Dallas Texans, and Bills were charter teams in the league.

Despite being in two different divisions since their founding in 1960, the Bills and Chiefs have had many notable moments in NFL postseason history, most notably the 1966 AFL Championship Game, as well as the 2021 AFC Divisional playoff game, which is often nicknamed 13 Seconds.

Since 2020, a rivalry between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also developed, which has often drawn comparisons to the rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

As of 2023, Buffalo currently leads the series 29–24–1, which has included five playoff meetings, three of which were AFL/AFC championship games.

History

1960–69: The AFL days

The teams first met in 1960 when the Chiefs were known as the Dallas Texans. The Texans beat the Bills 45–28, the teams first game at Buffalo, then the Texans beat the Bills 24–7.

The two teams met for their first playoff match in the 1966 AFL Championship Game on January 1, 1967. This game was notable where the game would determine the AFL's representative in the first Super Bowl. Kansas City would defeat Buffalo, 31–7, allowing the Chiefs to face the Green Bay Packers.

The teams would face each other 19 times before the AFL–NFL merger. The teams would have a tied record of 9–9–1 in the AFL with the only tie in the rivalry occurring on September 22, 1963, with the score tied 27–27.

1971–1986: Post-merger and decline

The two teams first met as members of the newly-formed American Football Conference of the National Football League in the 1971 season, when the Chiefs defeated the Bills, 22–9, at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium. This would be the final regular season game at the stadium, as the Chiefs would move into their current home of Arrowhead Stadium in 1972.

Both teams would struggle to reach the postseason during this time as the Chiefs would endure a 14-year playoff drought from 1972 until 1985. As for the Bills, they would only qualify for the playoffs three times over the same stretch.

Overall, the Bills won most of the games in the 1970s and 1980s, going 6–3 between 1971 and 1986.

1991–2000: Resurgence of the rivalry

In 1991, both teams met in the regular season at Arrowhead Stadium where the Chiefs would defeat the then-defending AFC champion Bills by a score of 33–6. Chiefs running back Christian Okoye ran for 122 yards and rushed for 2 touchdowns on the ground. The Bills were limited to only 211 net yards in the game, and had lost five fumbles.

The teams would meet again in the 1991 AFC Divisional Round at Rich Stadium, where the Bills would get their revenge on Kansas City. Buffalo led 17–0 at halftime on route to a 37–14 victory. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly would throw for 373 yards passing with 3 touchdowns, while running back Thurman Thomas rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries. With the win, the Bills would advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight season, where they would defeat the Denver Broncos by a score of 10–7, allowing the Bills to reach the Super Bowl for the second straight year.

Prior to the 1993 season, the Chiefs acquired quarterback Joe Montana from the San Francisco 49ers and also signed running back Marcus Allen, both former Super Bowl MVPs. The result of these transactions generated Kansas City as a potential Super Bowl favorite, as well as for the potential to challenge the Bills for supremacy in the American Football Conference.

The Bills and Chiefs would meet in the regular season in 1993, where Kansas City would defeat Buffalo, 23–7. Despite the Bills jumping out to an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter, Jim Kelly would throw three interceptions, with turnovers effectively costing the Bills the game. Joe Montana would return to the Chiefs' lineup after a missing a month due to an injury. He would throw for two passing touchdowns in the victory.

The two teams would meet again in that year's AFC Championship Game where the Bills won their fourth straight AFC Championship by a score of 30–13. Montana would suffer a concussion on a three-way sack from Bruce Smith, Phil Hansen, and Jeff Wright, early in the third quarter, which forced Chiefs backup quarterback Dave Krieg into the game. Bills running back Thurman Thomas rushed for 186 yards and added three touchdowns.

2002–2017: Bills' playoff drought and Chiefs in the new century

The Chiefs hosting the Bills in 2009. Quarterback Matt Cassel would play for both teams in his career.

The rivalry would begin to slow down in the 2000s as the Bills would enter what would be a 17 year playoff drought, while Kansas City would remain competitive but would not get past the Divisional Round of the playoffs during this time period. Nonetheless, the rivalry gained notoriety as the teams played each other nine out of ten years from 2008 to 2017.

The two teams would have some notable moments during this time. One such game was the matchup in 2008, when the 54–31 Buffalo victory featured the most combined points between the two teams in the series. Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards threw for 273 yards with four total touchdowns in the game. For the Chiefs, this game would mark the most allowed points in a single game in franchise history, a record that would be tied in a 2018 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

The 2010 contest between the Bills and Chiefs used all 75 minutes of overtime. Buffalo tied the game at 10 late in the fourth quarter thanks to a Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson. The game would go to overtime, where both teams would punt on their first possessions, and then both teams would miss potential game winning field goals on their second possessions of overtime, keeping the game going. After the Bills would punt again, the Chiefs would drive down the field, where Ryan Succop would kick the game-winning field goal from 35 yards as the clock expired on the overtime period.

The Bills and Chiefs would meet for a total of 12 times between 2002 and 2017, with each team winning six games each.

2020–present: Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes

Josh Allen (top) and Patrick Mahomes (bottom) have been key figures in the rivalry in recent years.

All of the games in the current decade have featured the prominent quarterback play of Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who have become key figures in the long-standing rivalry. Both quarterbacks have been noted for their physicality, strong arm strength, and mobile styles of play, where they have demonstrated to escape running with the football while under pressure as well as effectively scramble when called upon.

The 2020 season marked the first time where Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes met in the regular season. The Chiefs would defeat the Bills, 26–17 in Buffalo. In the game, Mahomes passed for 225 yards and threw for two touchdown passes, both of which were caught by tight end Travis Kelce, while running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 161 yards on the ground. Both teams would meet again in the postseason in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Buffalo would take an early 9–0 lead, but the lead would not last, as Kansas City took control of the game in the second quarter, and cruised to a 38–24 victory to repeat as conference champions, allowing them to advance to Super Bowl LV.

Both teams met in the 2021 regular season, where the Bills would defeat Kansas City, 38–20. Josh Allen threw for 315 yards with three passing touchdowns while adding 59 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Mahomes threw two interceptions in the contest, with one of those returned for a touchdown by Bills safety Micah Hyde.

The two teams met in the 2021 AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, where the game would be noted for its dramatic conclusion. The game featured four lead changes and 25 points scored n the final two minutes of regulation. Allen would throw for 329 yards and four touchdown passes for Buffalo, while Mahomes threw for 378 yards and added three touchdown passes for Kansas City. With 13 seconds remaining, Allen threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Gabe Davis to give the Bills a 36–33 lead. However, Mahomes would lead a 44-yard drive with the little time remaining, resulting in a 49-yard field golf by Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker to tie the game and send it to overtime. Kansas City would win the overtime coin toss, where they would quickly score a touchdown to give the Chiefs the 42–36 win.

The game received praise from commentators for both teams' performances, while also scrutinizing the league's overtime rules. As a result of this game, the NFL changed the overtime rules for postseason games beginning with the 2023 postseason, where both teams are ensured to receive possession of the football in overtime.

The 2022 game between the two teams was another tight back-and-forth contest as both teams competed closely until the fourth quarter. Kansas City took a 20–17 lead on a field goal with under 10 minutes to play, then the Bills defense forced a three-and-out on the Chiefs next possession. On the ensuing drive, Josh Allen and the Bills offense marched down the field, where Allen would throw a go-ahead touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox with 1:04 left in the quarter. On the Chiefs' final possession of the game, Patrick Mahomes was intercepted by Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, preserving a 24–20 victory for Buffalo.

The teams would meet for the fourth straight season in 2023. Buffalo got out to a hot start, jumping out to a 14–0 lead. However, Kansas City would tie the game at 17 in the fourth quarter. With under 2 minutes left to play, the Bills re-took the lead on a 39 yard field goal by Tyler Bass. On the Chiefs' ensuing possession, Kansas City appeared to take the lead on a hook and lateral touchdown, as tight end Travis Kelce caught a pass, where he then threw a lateral to wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who ran into the end zone. However, Toney was ruled offsides on the play, negating the score. After the penalty on the 2nd down play, Mahomes threw two incomplete passes, turning the ball over on downs, securing the Bills victory.

Game results

Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Tie, 9–9–1) Season Season series at Buffalo Bills at Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs Overall series Notes 1960 Texans 2–0 Texans 45–28 Texans 24–7 Texans 2–0 Inaugural season for both teams and the AFL. First meetings between the two rivals. 1961 Bills 2–0 Bills 27–24 Bills 30–20 Tie 2–2 1962 Tie, 1–1 Bills 23–14 Texans 41–21 Tie 3–3 Texans win 1962 AFL Championship. 1963 Bills 1–0–1 Tie 27–27 Bills 35–26 Bills 4–3–1 Only tie in the history of the rivalry. Texans move to Kansas City and become the Kansas City Chiefs. 1964 Bills 2–0 Bills 34–17 Bills 35–22 Bills 6–3–1 Bills win 1964 AFL Championship. 1965 Bills 2–0 Bills 34–25 Bills 23–7 Bills 8–3–1 Bills win 1965 AFL Championship. 1966 Tie, 1–1 Chiefs 42–20 Bills 29–14 Bills 9–4–1 Chiefs lose Super Bowl I. 1966 Playoffs Chiefs 1–0 Chiefs 31–7 Bills 9–5–1 AFL Championship Game. First postseason meeting between the two teams. 1967 Chiefs 1–0 Chiefs 23–13 Bills 9–6–1 1968 Chiefs 1–0 Chiefs 18–7 Bills 9–7–1 1969 Chiefs 2–0 Chiefs 29–7 Chiefs 22–19 Tie 9–9–1 Chiefs win Super Bowl IV.
1970s (Bills, 3–2) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1971 Chiefs 22–9 Municipal Stadium Chiefs 10–9–1 First meeting as fellow members of American Football Conference. 1973 Bills 23–14 Rich Stadium Tie 10–10–1 1976 Bills 50–17 Rich Stadium Bills 11–10–1 1978 Bills 28–13 Rich Stadium Bills 12–10–1 1978 Chiefs 14–10 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 12–11–1
1980s (Bills, 3–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1982 Bills 14–9 Rich Stadium Bills 13–11–1 1983 Bills 14–9 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 14–11–1 1986 Chiefs 20–17 Rich Stadium Bills 14–12–1 1986 Bills 17–14 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 15–12–1
1990s (Bills, 4–3) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1991 Chiefs 33–6 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 15–13–1 1991 Playoffs Bills 37–14 Rich Stadium Bills 16–13–1 AFC Divisional Round. Bills lose Super Bowl XXVI. 1993 Chiefs 23–7 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 16–14–1 1993 Playoffs Bills 30–13 Rich Stadium Bills 17–14–1 AFC Championship Game. Bills lose Super Bowl XXVIII. 1994 Bills 44–10 Rich Stadium Bills 18–14–1 1996 Bills 20–9 Rich Stadium Bills 19–14–1 1997 Chiefs 22–16 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 19–15–1
2000s (Bills, 4–2) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2000 Bills 21–17 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 20–15–1 2002 Chiefs 17–16 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 20–16–1 2003 Chiefs 38–5 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 20–17–1 2005 Bills 14–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium Bills 21–17–1 2008 Bills 54–31 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 22–17–1 Highest scoring game in series. 2009 Bills 16–10 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 23–17–1
2010s (Chiefs, 4–3) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2010 Chiefs 13–10 (OT) Arrowhead Stadium Bills 23–18–1 Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop hit a 35-yard field goal as time expired in overtime. 2011 Bills 41–7 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 24–18–1 2012 Bills 35–17 Ralph Wilson Stadium Bills 25–18–1 2013 Chiefs 23–13 Ralph Wilson Stadium Bills 25–19–1 2014 Chiefs 17–13 Ralph Wilson Stadium Bills 25–20–1 2015 Chiefs 30–22 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 25–21–1 Both teams met for the eighth straight season. 2017 Bills 16–10 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 26–21–1
2020s (Tie, 3–3) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2020 Chiefs 26–17 Highmark Stadium Bills 26–22–1 First meeting between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. 2020 Playoffs Chiefs 38–24 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 26–23–1 AFC Championship Game. Chiefs lose Super Bowl LV. 2021 Bills 38–20 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 27–23–1 2021 Playoffs Chiefs 42–36 (OT) Arrowhead Stadium Bills 27–24–1 AFC Divisional Round. The game had four lead changes and 25 points scored in the final two minutes of regulation. After the Bills took the lead with 13 seconds left, the Chiefs drove the ball 44 yards and kicked a field goal to force overtime. The Chiefs won the coin toss and and scored a touchdown in overtime. 2022 Bills 24–20 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 28–24–1 Bills secured the win with a Dawson Knox touchdown reception with 1:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII. 2023 Bills 20–17 Arrowhead Stadium Bills 29–24–1
Summary of Results Season Season series at Buffalo Bills at Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs Notes Regular season Bills 27–21–1 Bills 14–9–1 Bills 13–12 Postseason Chiefs 3–2 Bills 2–1 Chiefs 2–0 AFL Championship: 1966 AFC Divisional Round: 1991, 2021. AFC Championship Game: 1993, 2020 Regular and postseason Bills 29–24–1 Bills 16–10–1 Chiefs 14–13