Josh Allen and the Bills are out of excuses entering Sunday’s divisional-round game against the Chiefs.
While Buffalo has had plenty of success against Kansas City in the regular season, Allen is 0-2 when facing fellow quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs and has gotten past the divisional round just once in his career.
This time, though, the stage is set differently than in their previous two playoff meetings. The Bills will host the Chiefs in the first true road playoff game of Mahomes’ career, forcing the two-time MVP to win in a tough environment to keep the Chiefs’ hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions alive.
While the stakes are high for Mahomes, who would like to keep his playoff rivalry with Allen one-sided, it’s fair to argue the stakes have never been higher for Allen.
A loss would erase all of the positivity from a strong finish to the regular season for Buffalo and invite more than a few questions about how long the Bills can keep their Super Bowl window open. A win, however, would give Allen his clearest path to a championship yet.
Bills Mafia will try to do its part in cold β but not intolerable β conditions at Highmark Stadium. Mahomes, meanwhile, will try to feed off the unfriendly crowd after a season that saw the Chiefs find more success on the road than at home.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game between the Chiefs and Bills. Follow along with all of the key moments below.
MORE: Watch Chiefs vs. Bills live with Fubo (free trial)
Chiefs vs. Bills score
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
Chiefs | 3 | 10 | 7 | – | – |
Bills | 3 | 14 | 0 | – | – |
Chiefs vs. Bills live updates, results, highlights from 2024 NFL playoff game
(All times Eastern)
8:32 p.m. β The Bills’ running game continues to rumble as James Cook and Ty Johnson help Buffalo pick up a first down.
Chiefs 20, Bills 17
8:26 p.m. TOUCHDOWN β It’s the second touchdown of the night for Kelce, who sneaks in gets that ball to the pylon to give the Chiefs the lead. The Bills’ defense needed a statement drive to start the half and couldn’t come up with one.
Chiefs start the 2nd half strong. @tkelce has another TD to give KC the lead!
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/Yv4IlHu0Zmβ NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
8:25 p.m. β Linebacker injuries: A.J. Klein walks off gingerly for the Bills, while Willie Gay Jr. (neck) is ruled out for the Chiefs.
8:23 p.m. β Mahomes runs and just keeps on running. The Bills couldn’t catch up to him until he was all the way to the red zone.
Got βem.
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/Ame7ZBuHH9β NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
8:22 p.m. β Marquez Valdes-Scantling makes an excellent catch to start the half with Taron Johnson all over him. That’s a first down and much more.
MVS with the hands to open the 2nd half π
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/LQJpc0FUc6β NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
End of first half: Bills 17, Chiefs 13
8:07 p.m. β Kansas City kneels on it knowing it’ll start the second half with the ball. Both teams get into another skirmish as the final seconds tick away. Buffalo goes to the locker room with the lead, but a big moment for the defense awaits.
8:05 p.m. β The Chiefs have 20 seconds to work with, though they set themselves back with a holding penalty and might not feel the risk is worthwhile here.
Bills 17, Chiefs 13
8:00 p.m. TOUCHDOWN β Allen takes it in himself for the touchdown! The Bills needed that momentum swing with Kansas City getting the ball to start the second half, and they have their lead back.
.@JoshAllenQB has his 2nd rushing TD! Buffalo back on top.
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/W4WbUeDsAIβ NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
7:58 p.m. β Shakir hauls in a first down catch at the two-yard line, and it certainly looks like a catch despite protests by the Chiefs. Buffalo has 29 seconds and two timeouts to work with.
7:57 p.m. β Cook drops what very well could’ve been a touchdown pass from Allen. He will regret that one if Buffalo doesn’t punch it in on third down.
7:55 p.m. β Allen puts some moves on the Chiefs’ defense and runs all the way down to about the 11. What a play! That was similar to his long touchdown run against the Steelers on Monday.
7:54 p.m. β Allen draws gasps from the crowd as he improvises a pass to Latavius Murray when it looked like he’d just run the ball up the middle. Murray goes for 15 yards.
7:53 p.m. β The Bills are out to midfield after a nice catch-and-run by Diggs up the middle.
7:48 p.m. β Trent McDuffie is back in the game for the Chiefs as James Cook picks up a first down for Buffalo.
Chiefs 13, Bills 10
7:43 p.m. TOUCHDOWN β No one was near Travis Kelce. It’s a standard Mahomes-to-Kelce touchdown in the playoffs to give the Chiefs the lead.
Mahomes to Kelce. Bread and butter. Chiefs take the lead! #ChiefsKingdom
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/5jUdWWbtF2β NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
7:42 p.m. β Woah! Clyde Edwards-Helaire breaks free for 28 yards, and the Chiefs are already on the verge of entering the red zone.
7:38 p.m. β Richie James takes a late hit on the punt return, but no flag comes out. The Chiefs are incensed.
7:37 p.m. β Khalil Shakir only gets four yards, and the Bills will punt for the first time (by either team) tonight.
7:36 p.m. β Three plays, three runs for the Bills before an incompletion by Allen. A key 3rd & 8 is coming up here.
7:35 p.m. β Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie is on the sideline being evaluated now.
7:32 p.m. β Chiefs safety Mike Edwards has been ruled out with a concussion.
Bills 10, Chiefs 6
7:30 p.m. FIELD GOAL β Mahomes’ fourth down pass sails high, setting up Butker’s second field goal of the night. The Chiefs cut into Buffalo’s lead but will see that drive as a missed opportunity.
7:29 p.m. β Mecole Hardman fumbles on a hard hit from Rasul Douglas, but Justin Watson saves the day for Kansas City and quickly recovers.
7:27 p.m. β Rice goes up and grabs a third down pass from Mahomes to keep the Chiefs’ touchdown hopes very much alive.
7:24 p.m. β Neither defense is playing well right now. Mahomes finds Kelce in stride for 29 yards to give the Chiefs an instant scoring opportunity.
Mahomes hits Kelce for a 29-yard gain! #ChiefsKingdom
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/N4SVofVytbβ NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
7:21 p.m. β Now it’s Isiah Pacheco’s turn to dominate on the ground, as he rips off runs of 9 and 10 yards against an undermanned middle of the Bills defense. Buffalo is without LB Terrel Bernard today, and now Tyrel Dodson is down.
Bills 10, Chiefs 3
7:16 p.m. TOUCHDOWN β Allen runs to his left and takes it into the end zone! A dominant drive by the Bills’ running game, which is out-rushing Kansas City 94-7 so far.
Touchdown Buffalo! @JoshAllenQB #BillsMafia
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/xPDb7oQV4zβ NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2024
7:15 p.m. β Buffalo is all in on the running game right now, and it has them down to the Kansas City 5-yard line.
7:12 p.m. β The Bills dominated time of possession in the first quarter, holding onto the ball for 11:27 of the first 15 minutes. With Joe Brady emphasizing the running game, you’d have to think that was part of their strategy coming into tonight.
End of first quarter: Chiefs 3, Bills 3
7:11 p.m. β James Cook picks up another Bills first down, and Josh Allen finishes out the quarter with an 8-yard run to take Buffalo into the red zone. The Bills couldn’t get into the end zone on their last drive. Will the Chiefs’ red zone defense rise up again?
7:09 p.m. β There goes Johnson again with a nice 9-yard run to set up 2nd & 1.
7:08 p.m. β The Bills are dicing up the Chiefs’ defense early on this drive, with Ty Johnson going 14 yards to take Buffalo up to midfield after a Khalil Shakir first down.
Chiefs 3, Bills 3
7:03 p.m. FIELD GOAL β Butker drills it into the wind, and we are tied at three.
7:02 p.m. β Mahomes recovers well from a low snap on third down, but Dane Jackson breaks up a nice pass to Justin Watson. Harrison Butker is coming out into the wind.
7:00 p.m. β Now Mahomes hits Kelce for the first down as the Bills’ defense struggles to get situated.
6:59 p.m. β Mahomes evades a sack on second down and finds a wide-open Rashee Rice, who pushes the Chiefs just past midfield.
Bills 3, Chiefs 0
6:54 p.m. FIELD GOAL β The wind affects Bass’ kick, but he gets it through to give Buffalo an early advantage. 3-0, Bills.
6:53 p.m. β Allen’s pass is batted down, so Tyler Bass will come on for the short field goal try.
6:52 p.m. β A great block by Spencer Brown allows Kincaid to bully his way inside the 10-yard line. Let’s see if Allen can finish what’s been an impressive drive.
6:50 p.m. β The Bills are into field goal range with the help of a great sideline grab by Dalton Kincaid. The wind will be a factor for both kickers today, though.
The rookie @_DaltonKincaid makes a play early. #BillsMafia
πΊ: #KCvsBUF on CBS
π±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FR6a2VkD33 pic.twitter.com/CUsEeIb9AVβ NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
6:48 p.m. β No flag comes out, and the Bills convert on fourth down. What a sequence for interim OC Joe Brady.
6:46 p.m. β Wow, Allen makes a heads-up lateral pass beyond the line of scrimmage and turns a 3rd & 17 into a 4th & 1. The Chiefs might challenge whether that’s a forward pass.
Allen with the lateral! pic.twitter.com/n0Ui2oIfXB
β NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 21, 2024
6:44 p.m. β Allen throws incomplete on 2nd & 17, as Diggs couldn’t hold onto the ball. Mike Edwards remains down for the Chiefs.
6:43 p.m. β Stefon Diggs fumbles a screen pass from Allen, and the Bills are penalized for batting it out of bounds.
6:41 p.m. β Deonte Harty takes it out to about the 30, and we are underway.
6:40 p.m. β The Chiefs win the toss (not the first time that’s happened against the Bills), but they defer. The Bills will start with the ball.
6:35 p.m. β Still a couple minutes out from kickoff as the pregame ceremonies finish up.
6:25 p.m. β In case you missed it, Bills fans have already fed the pit today.
I THINK IT HAPPENED. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/wINcs8k9C7
β Andrew (@BuffaloWoody) January 21, 2024
6:20 p.m. β We’re about 10 minutes away from kickoff, and the pressure is squarely on Josh Allen and the Bills to finally notch a playoff win over Patrick Mahomes. The world is watching.
6:13 p.m. β It’s official: The race for the Lombardi Trophy is down to the Ravens, 49ers, Lions, Bills and Chiefs.
5:50 p.m. β The playoff field is about to be narrowed to five, but the Buccaneers are keeping hope alive in Detroit after allowing two touchdown drives.
5:25 p.m. β And look who else is in the building…
#Billsmafia crowds gather around Taylor Swift’s vehicle as she is brought into her club seat at Highmark.
Other pregame photos: https://t.co/3yG7l79BW7@TheBuffaloNews @kfitz134 #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/AYbtXV2QpG
β Joshua Bessex (@Bessex_Joshua) January 21, 2024
5:19 p.m. β WR Kadarius Toney and DT Derrick Nnadi are the notable inactives for a mostly healthy Chiefs team.
5:15 p.m. β LB Terrell Bernard and WR Gabe Davis are officially inactive for the Bills, as expected.
Tonight’s inactives. #KCvsBUF pic.twitter.com/yxhItiVokz
β Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 21, 2024
5:00 p.m. β Not a lot of snow in the forecast today, but flurries are falling 90 minutes before kickoff.
Snow flurries dropping here in Orchard Park. Cool visual.
90 mins until Chiefs/Bills game. Will this count as a Patrick Mahomes snow game? pic.twitter.com/44WVSD2NpC
β Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 21, 2024
4:45 p.m. β The winner of this game will go to Baltimore, as the Ravens took care of business against the Texans yesterday and will be almost certainly be favored against either the Chiefs or Bills.
4:15 p.m. β Patrick Mahomes has arrived for the first road playoff game of his career.
Playoff Patrick is in the building. pic.twitter.com/GaH1Gwx7gK
β Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 21, 2024
4:00 p.m. β Highmark Stadium is clear of snow, as this great time-lapse from the Bills shows. It’s currently 26 degrees in Buffalo.
Thereβs snow place like Buffalo.
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped shovel out Highmark Stadium for today’s Divisional Round playoff game! #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/NkVFxPQNDX
β Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 21, 2024
Chiefs vs. Bills start time
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 21
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT)
This postseason rivalry contest between the Chiefs and the Bills will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Chiefs have won their two playoff matchups with the Bills in the Mahomes era, but Kansas City has lost three consecutive regular-season games to Buffalo.
What channel is Chiefs vs. Bills on today?
- TV network: CBS (U.S.) | TSN 4/5, CTV (Canada)
- Live streams: Paramount+, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
Sunday’s divisional-round matchup between the Chiefs and Bills will be broadcast nationally in the U.S. on CBS. Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tony Romo (color analyst) will be on the call, while Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter) will offer updates from the sideline.
Cord-cutters can find Sunday’s game on Paramount+ as well as Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Canadian viewers can watch the game on TSN 4/5 or CTV, or they can stream it with DAZN, which carries every NFL game.
NFL playoff schedule 2024
Divisional round
Saturday, Jan. 20
Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | Live stream |
Texans at Ravens | 4:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN | ESPN+, Fubo |
Packers at 49ers | 8 p.m. | Fox | Fubo |
Sunday, Jan. 21
Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | Live stream |
Buccaneers at Lions | 3 p.m. | NBC | Peacock, Fubo |
Chiefs at Bills | 6:30 p.m. | CBS | Paramount+, Fubo |
Conference championships
Sunday, Jan. 28
Matchup | Start time | TV channel | Live stream |
TBD vs. TBD | TBD | CBS | Paramount+, Fubo |
TBD vs. TBD | TBD | Fox | Fox Sports app, Fubo |
Super Bowl 58
Sunday, Feb. 11
Matchup | Start time | TV channel | Live stream |
TBD vs. TBD | TBD | CBS | Paramount+, Fubo |