Only two teams remain in the AFC and will soon meet on Championship Sunday with a trip to Super Bowl LIX in the stadium. On Saturday, the Negative. The No. 1 Kansas Town Chiefs emerged from their first-round bye and took on the ailing Houston Texans to get out of the divisional round. At the last minute, the Buffalo Bills walked away disappointed with the Baltimore Ravens to book their season alive. All of that now ends in an AFC Championship between two of the NFL’s supremacist quarterbacks: Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes.
Here’s a preview of this AFC Championship and some awesome stories to book your viewing.
Odds using SportsLine consensus
AFC Championship Preview
Buffalo Spending on Kansas Town Chiefs
Time: Sunday January 26 | Age: 6:30 pm Eastern Time
Location: GEHA Grasslands at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas Town, Missouri)
TV: CBS | Tide: Supreme+
Notice: CBS Sports App
Odd: Bosses -1.5, Over/Under 48.5
These two clubs are very aware of each other, and this matchup will be the fourth head-to-head in the playoffs in the last five seasons. So far, Patrick Mahomes has been impenetrable in this postseason environment, proudly owning a 3-0 record against Allen and the Expenses. The previous two matchups were contested in the divisional division (2023, 2021), but these clubs are already head-to-head in the AFC Championship before (2020). That game led to a 38-24 Kansas Town victory, where Mahomes scored 325 yards and three touchdowns.
Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs
win |
0 |
3 |
Scored Group Level |
84 |
107 |
Total Yards |
1,030 |
1,011 |
touchdowns/general surrenders |
9/1 |
9/0 |
As the playoff head-to-head matchup is one-sided toward Mahomes, Allen has been aggressive in this contest. In total, each quarterback has four wins in their eight matchups (regular season and postseason), including a Buffalo win over Kansas Town again in the last 11 that handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season.
Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes face-to-face occupation
win |
4 |
4 |
Scored Group Problems |
213 |
211 |
Total Yards |
2,511 |
2,439 |
touchdowns/general surrenders | 5/22 | 9/19 |
Outside of the quarterbacks, Travis Kelce will be an important figure to watch in this game. During their usual matchup of the season, the star tight end was almost nonexistent, catching two of his four targets for 8 yards in the loss. On the other hand, Kelce is said to have turned the move around in the last two games played and is entering this AFC Championship closer to recording seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown against Houston. While he didn’t burn them against Baltimore, Buffalo’s third-down defense leaves little to be desired (7-10 vs. Ravens), so if Kelce can make progress in that sick key, he’ll have to give Kansas Town enough of an alternative. to increase units and ranking.
In terms of expenses, James Cook is a player capable of making his presence felt. He only pushed for 20 yards against the Chiefs in the final 11, but scored two touchdowns in the red zone in the first phase. The fullback has been a strong pick for Buffalo along with Josh Allen, especially in the red zone (16 touchdowns in the regular season). Kansas Town has held opponents to just 4.2 rushing yards and 104.4 overall rushing yards per game this season, so Cook may face a tough sleight. If he manages to get into a grove, Buffalo’s offense could dry up to the point of a ban.
Early weather forecast (using AccuWeather): Scattered clouds and sunshine are expected throughout the past with a high of 38 degrees, a low of twenty-two degrees and a real feel of 33 degrees. There is also a 22% chance of precipitation.