Bills at Chiefs score, takeaways: Josh Allen tops Patrick Mahomes as Buffalo rallies, wins shootout rematch

The Bills have edged their chief AFC rivals

The Chiefs got the best of the Bills in the AFC contenders' last two big-spotlight meetings, first in the conference championship and then, last year, in the divisional round's wildest shootout. But not on Sunday. Taron Johnson jumped in front of a late Patrick Mahomes pass to seal a 24-20 victory. 

Both sides started slow in the anticipated showdown, trying so hard for big plays that they ended up with red-zone turnovers. But Mahomes and Josh Allen each delivered downfield strikes as the matchup went on, with Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Von Miller all logging highlights to push Buffalo to 5-1 on the season.

Mahomes notably capped the first half by delivering a pair of quick strikes in the waning seconds to set up a Chiefs franchise-record 62-yard field goal by Harrison Butker that knotted the score at 10-10. He needed just 12 seconds in total to do that, a year after using the final 13 seconds of the Bills-Chiefs playoff game to set up a field goal to force overtime. Just like in that postseason game, the two sides were also tied after the first, second and third quarters.

Here are some takeaways from Sunday's Bills-Chiefs shootout:

Why the Bills won

The biggest reason is twofold: Josh Allen, predictably, was a big-play machine more often than not; and, though it won't get nearly as much credit, the defense made plays exactly when it needed them. Let's start with Allen: he wasn't very methodical out of the gate, consistently dropping 10-15 yards behind the line in hopes of striking a mega-play, even though Devin Singletary was running into open space with ease. But once Allen's connection with Stefon Diggs picked up, the offense found its rhythm, and boy did Diggs put on a clinic out wide, finishing with 10 catches for 148 yards and a score.

Gabe Davis' speed was also on display once more, and Allen showcased his trust to all the outlets, including Dawson Knox, with crunch-time bombs and bullets. Defensively, Taron Johnson deserves credit for jumping Mahomes' off-balance throw into double coverage to seal the game. But Von Miller was just as pivotal, logging two sacks and keeping Mahomes on the move.

Why the Chiefs lost

It wasn't for lack of trying; Kansas City still proved it is the king of miraculous drives, particularly at the end of the first half, when Mahomes needed all of 12 seconds to set up a team-record 62-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. Mahomes, on his own, remained a magician, leaning on the ultra-reliable Travis Kelce and the surprisingly open JuJu Smith-Schuster to always keep K.C. in the mix, if not ahead. But the QB was clearly also pressing to make plays on occasion, such as when he forced one into the end zone and got picked off by Kaiir Elam.

It didn't help that there was no real running game in their script. Or that rookie Joshua Williams was tasked with locking down the Bills' speedy receivers on the outside. Chiefs fans shouldn't be overly worried considering how close this one is, as expected, but it is fair to remain skeptical of the depth of Mahomes' receiving options because of how much rests on No. 15 and 87.

Turning point

Considering this one was back and forth from start to finish, it's gotta be Mahomes' second pick, when Johnson jumped the route and took advantage of the Chiefs QB trying to make something out of nothing. That interception put the ball back in Buffalo's hands, up 24-20 after the Bills' 12-play TD drive, and sealed the close victory for the visitors.

Play of the game

All of Allen's big plays are worthwhile, but give it to the QB for roping his final TD to Dawson Knox. Everything about the throw, which put the Bills up for good, was textbook.

What's next

The Bills (5-1) will rest up on their bye week before returning home Oct. 30 for a Sunday night matchup with the Packers (3-3), who got routed by the Jets in Week 6. The Chiefs (4-2), meanwhile, will hit the road for a Super Bowl LIV rematch with the 49ers (3-3), who were upset by the Falcons on Sunday.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:31 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

And that will do it! Taron Johnson jumps in front of an off-balance Patrick Mahomes throw, and it's picked! Ballgame. Bills do it!

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:27 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Ridiculous. Josh Allen threads the needle to Dawson Knox, working against Justin Reid in the end zone, and the Bills are back on top. Perfect throw. Perfect timing. Buffalo leads it 24-20, and Patrick Mahomes has 1:04 to answer.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:23 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Stefon Diggs is putting on an absolute clinic out wide. Just moved to a ball thrown a little inside like a magnet, picking up 18 to put Buffalo at the Chiefs' 28. We've got two minutes left, and the Bills are knocking at the door down three.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:19 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Bills call a pitch to Devin Singletary on third-and-1 with under four minutes to play: a curious call, to be honest, not only because you're taking the ball out of Allen's hands but pushing the ball even farther behind the line of scrimmage. Alas, Buffalo lines up to go for it on fourth-and-inches afterward, even from its own 34, and Allen gets it with the QB sneak.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:16 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Von Miller comes through to prevent the Chiefs from controlling the clock down the stretch, logging his second sack of the night. Now it's up to Josh Allen to get Buffalo back on the board. Time is ticking away -- under five to play, and Chiefs still lead it 20-17.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:12 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Chiefs get away with a tripping penalty after Chris Jones extends his leg to sack Josh Allen. The Bills QB was visibly and understandably upset that the refs didn't call it. Would've changed a big drive-ender there. Instead, it's Chiefs ball now, with K.C. leading 20-17 and under eight minutes to go. A chance for Andy Reid's squad to really milk the clock here.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 7:00 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

You could say it every game, but: Travis Kelce is just ridiculous. Who is covering him? No one, it often seems. No issue breaking off of Matt Milano over the middle of the field for No. 87, and he's up to seven catches for 105 yards. Feels like 15 for 200, the way he's come through in the clutch whenever Mahomes needs to move the chains.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 6:51 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Three quarters down. And we're shaping up for exactly the kind of finish everyone expected. It's a 17-17 tie, and both Allen and Mahomes have delivered with big plays. Surprisingly, JuJu Smith-Schuster has been the steadiest outlet for No. 15 this time around, entering the final quarter with five catches for 113 yards and a score. Not exactly breakaway speed from the ex-Steelers standout, but he's been in the right places at the right times on K.C.'s biggest drives. The early-game turnovers/red-zone woes helped keep this thing close; now the question is which defense can make the defining play of the day in this last frame.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 6:32 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Another big deep shot from Allen, this time to Stefon Diggs working on rookie Joshua Williams, who was also beaten by Gabe Davis on the other Allen TD pass. The ball was a bit underthrown, but Diggs had enough separation to corral it anyway. It's now 17-10 Bills, and Allen is averaging almost nine yards per attempt. Diggs and Davis are already up to a combined 183 receiving yards.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 6:26 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Harrison Butker, good from 62 at the end of the first half, can't connect on a 51-yarder to cap an 11-play drive by the Chiefs. That was one of Kansas City's most methodical series of the game, but the kick goes wide left, and it's still 10-10. Bills will start from their own 33, which means they'll be well positioned to get their own points on their first drive of the second half.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 6:04 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Mirror image of the last Bills-Chiefs matchup, from the playoffs: K.C. has just over 10 seconds to operate before the break, and Mahomes hits two quick throws to get his squad in field goal range. And then Harrison Butker drills a 62-yard shot to tie it up at 10! Crazy. We go into halftime at 10-10, and this truly has been a dead-even showdown.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 6:00 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Wow. The big-play gambles finally pay off for Buffalo. Josh Allen finds Stefon Diggs downfield to put the Bills in Chiefs territory, and then he lofts a perfect long ball to Gabe Davis. The 34-yard throw was on the money, and Davis just straight-up beat rookie Joshua Williams down the sideline. Not the first time Davis has torched the K.C. secondary. It's now 10-7 in favor of the visitors.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:55 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Back-to-back pressures from Von Miller and Matt Milano contain Mahomes, forcing a Chiefs punt. Suffice to say, it's been a low-scoring affair so far. Neither side is completing a high percentage of throws, and yet they continue to lean on the downfield game. Isaiah McKenzie, meanwhile, is having an absolute nightmare of a game so far, dropping a wide-open pass from Allen that would've brought the Bills out from their own end zone. He's now had multiple drops and was part of the fumbled exchange with Allen on Buffalo's first series. Bills fortunate to escape a safety on their latest possession, with Allen just getting out of the end zone on a second-down scramble.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:47 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

This is a fun watch by nature of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes being the QBs, but it's not really a good watch in terms of smart, efficient football, at least so far. Both sides are content letting their star signal-callers drop 10-15 yards behind the line on every play, so that they can uncork a big shot. When, in reality, Buffalo for example could just keep running Devin Singletary and be in the red zone every series. There's not a ton of balance here; just sheer gunslinging. That's why it's 7-3 and not 20-17.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:37 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

A Shaq Lawson sack sets up a rare Chiefs three-and-out, but K.C.'s defense steps up on the ensuing drive to pressure Josh Allen on third-and-long, forcing a throw to no one and producing the Bills' own three-and-out. These two teams can't stop copying each other in this game. It's been a mirror image, except the Chiefs have had the one breakaway play.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:28 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Bills once again reach the red zone and cannot get the job done. Three straight incomplete passes to end Buffalo's bid for points there, with the last one right over the middle to Isaiah McKenzie, who fell as he tried reeling in Josh Allen's pass, which was just slightly tipped. These teams are now a combined 0 for 3 on red-zone tries. Even worse news for Buffalo: right tackle Spencer Brown is headed to the locker room with an injury suffered on that fourth-and-goal misfire. Chiefs still lead it 7-3.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:20 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Josh Allen is a dawg for the way he does not shy away from contact -- and, in many cases, embraces it. But man, if you're a Bills fan, you gotta be on edge every time he runs the ball. A few times in this game already he's powered into a defender near the sticks and taken big shots. Again, it's part of what makes him so special, but the ultimate key for Buffalo is keeping him upright.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:13 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Where is the Bills' drive to finish a play on defense? It certainly wasn't evident on the Chiefs' last few plays. First Patrick Mahomes is driven back in the pocket and forced to throw the ball away, but had Buffalo's pursuing D-linemen actually kept running at him, he may have been in danger of taking a deep sack. Then, a few snaps later, Mahomes buys time in the pocket and finds JuJu Smith-Schuster, who escapes two half-hearted tackle attempts while in traffic and easily guides into the end zone, basically untouched, for a 42-yard score. Chiefs now on top 7-3.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 5:04 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Isaiah McKenzie is having a rough day so far. Couldn't corral the unexpected pitch from Josh Allen on the Bills' opening drive that wiped away a shot at points. Just got smothered by Justin Reid on a third-down throw that left him flat on his back. But we have our first points now, after the Bills hit a field goal to go up 3-0. Tyler Bass, good for 39, and now it's back to the Chiefs.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 4:59 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

One quarter down. 200 combined yards from the two sides, who have had no trouble moving the ball up and down the field. The Bills' run game is particularly encouraging, feeding off the threat of Josh Allen airing it out. But zero points thanks to each team getting a little too cute/aggressive in the red zone. This one, as predicted, may well play out as if the last possession wins.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 4:51 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Patrick Mahomes starts just as hot as Josh Allen and seemingly finds Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a TD over the middle, threading the needle with a sidearm zip. But then an ineligible-man-downfield penalty negates the score. Mahomes comes right back and puts a back-shoulder TD throw only where Travis Kelce can get it, but Dane Jackson just barely breaks it up at the last second. Von Miller's impatience on the very next play, drawing a neutral-zone infraction, gives K.C. new life after the near-TDs, but then the Bills' front stuffs the Chiefs' short run attempt. On fourth-and-2, Andy Reid goes for it, and Mahomes picks up the first with his own legs. But then we get a second straight red-zone turnover, as Mahomes forces one to the back of the end zone after scrambling. Kaiir Elam comes down with the takeaway, and we've still got no score.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 4:39 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Bills had been rolling on basically a perfect offensive drive to start this game, marching down the field methodically, keeping Kansas City playing off coverage as Josh Allen hit a wide-open Gabe Davis to start 5 for 5 through the air, and Devin Singletary averaged nine yards per carry running through holes. But then Allen pitched one to Isaiah McKenzie with the end zone in sight, and the receiver apparently wasn't ready for the ball. The fumble is recovered by the Chiefs, and that's that. One play kills Buffalo's momentum and wipes a potential TD drive off the board.

[Oct 16, 2022 at 4:27 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Bills open with the ball. Let the games begin. Josh Allen already hearing the deafening crowd noise at Arrowhead.