The stakes are the same on a macro level for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night when they clash in the final NFL divisional round playoff game of the weekend.
The winner advances to the AFC Championship Game, either in their home stadium or, most likely, at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium. The loser is packing up for the offseason Monday morning.
However, on a micro level, there is no doubt that the Bills have more on the line at Highmark Stadium, and you get the sense that they know it.
They allowed the Chiefs to end their 2020 and 2021 seasons in the postseason, and while they have defeated Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes three straight years in the regular season – all in Kansas City – the Bills have to take the next step against this team and win a playoff game.
“They’ve gotten the best of us in the playoffs the last few years; we’ve yet to beat them in the postseason,” Josh Allen said. “This is a team that plays their best when they’re asked to. They’ve been at the top of the mountain, they know what it takes to get there. We’ve yet to do that. As a competitor, as a player to be in a situation like this, it’s something you dream about. I know guys on this team have been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
Some are calling this a legacy game for both Allen and coach Sean McDermott. And in real time, perhaps it is. Of course, there was a similar feeling last January when the Bills hosted the Bengals in the divisional round. They lost that game, but now they’re right back in the same position, and who’s to say they won’t be in this same situation for several years to come?
Allen is only in his sixth NFL season and has plenty of time build his legacy, so legacy game might be a bit much.
But what is inarguable is that the Bills have been one of the league’s best teams since the start of 2019, and there isn’t a whole lot to show for that success when it comes to the postseason.
The Bills and Chiefs are the only two teams in the NFL who have won at least 10 games each of the last five years (it’s nine straight for KC) and they are the only two who have advanced to the divisional round four straight years (six for the Chiefs).
The Chiefs have five AFC title game appearances, three AFC championships and two Super Bowl triumphs; all Buffalo has is a 5-4 postseason record and just one advancement to the AFC title game. So yes, this game means a lot for both franchises, but it means way more to the Bills.
“We understand that every time that we play them it’s a all-or-nothing game and it’s gonna come down to us at some point during the football season,” said offensive tackle Dion Dawkins. “And they have shown in many ways that they are great, as well as us. Just be ready for a gritty, gritty football game. Really, really gritty.”
