2021 AFC Divisional playoff game (Buffalo–Kansas City)
The 2021 Buffalo Bills–Kansas City Chiefs Divisional Round playoff game was a National Football League (NFL) game held on January 23, 2022, as part of the 2021–22 NFL playoffs.[4][5] The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the visiting Buffalo Bills 42–36 to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Noted for the quarterback play of Buffalo's Josh Allen and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, it was the first NFL game in which both quarterbacks threw for at least 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions and rushed for at least 50 yards.[6]
Buffalo Bills (3)
(11–6)
January 23, 2022
Chiefs by 1.5
73,242
Jim Nantz (play-by-play)
Tony Romo (color analyst)
Jay Feely (sideline reporter)
Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)
Gene Steratore (rules analyst)
The game had four lead changes and 25 points scored in the final two minutes of regulation, the second-most among all games in the Super Bowl era.[a][b] After scoring on their opening drive, the Bills did not regain the lead until the fourth quarter when Allen threw a go-ahead touchdown pass with under two minutes remaining. Mahomes responded with a 64-yard touchdown pass to regain the lead with less than a minute remaining, but Buffalo's next possession ended in another touchdown pass from Allen. With 13 seconds left, Mahomes led the Chiefs on a 44-yard drive, which set up a game-tying field goal to force overtime. The Chiefs received the overtime kickoff after winning the coin toss and scored a touchdown to secure the victory.[11][12] Despite the loss, Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis set the NFL playoff game record for receiving touchdowns at four.[13]
The performances of both teams, particularly Allen and Mahomes, drew praise from commentators, who considered the game to be one of the greatest in the modern NFL playoffs.[c] It is colloquially known as 13 Seconds after the Chiefs' game-tying drive and considered an example of the Buffalo Sports Curse.[d] The game also renewed scrutiny of the NFL's overtime rules,[e] which were changed beginning with the 2023 postseason onward to ensure both teams receive possession of the ball in overtime.[29][30]
Game summary[edit]
First quarter[edit]
Buffalo started off the game with a 15-play, 71-yard drive in which they converted two fourth downs, the second with a 1-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary to go up 7–0. Kansas City responded with a 13-play, 74-yard drive in which quarterback Patrick Mahomes rushed three times for 48 yards, the last carry being an 8-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.