The captains rallied past the Bills in injury time, advancing to the AFC title match – San Bernardino Sun

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a never-ending confrontation between two of the NFL’s top teams and two of its brightest young quarterbacks, the Bills and Chiefs played a classic Sunday night decided by one number they call tail and the other person makes him pay for it.

Josh Allen’s decision to toss a coin in extra time was his only mistake against Buffalo all night.

Patrick Mahomes quickly followed it up by marching down Kansas City’s field against the NFL’s top-rated but weary defense, then found Travis Kelce in the corner of the final area from eight yards, carrying gave the Captain a memorable 42-36 victory – and never helped him develop an opponent with the ball.

Mahomes, who played with his team in the fourth consecutive AFC title match, said: “This time it went very well for us. “When you have two teams going back and forth, it’s frustrating when you don’t see the other go. But all you can do is play the rules the way the rules are explained, and that’s what we did. ”

It has also been perfect, setting up a game next Sunday against Cincinnati for a trip to the Super Bowl.

“The boys didn’t flinch,” said head coach Andy Reid. “You talk about an epic game, well, that’s how the players did it. They had great respect for Buffalo and they knew this was going to be a battle and they kept going. “

What is Reid’s advice to Mahomes?

“When it’s grim, be death, and go get it,” Reid said. “He made everyone around him better.”

The lead was changed hands three times in the final two minutes of regulation, and 25 points were scored in that period. Harrison Butker, who had previously missed a goal and added points, drilled a 49-yard player when time ran out to tie extra time, and when the Captain won the coin, Mahomes took care of the rest.

He finished with 378 yards past and three touchdowns, including a 64-yard player for Tyreek Hill in the final minutes of the thrilling regulation and throwing a clutch for Kelce that sent the players off the bench. bag.

“We have excellent leaders on both sides, whether it is attack, defence, or exceptional teams,” said Hill. “No one panics. Nobody said, ‘Oh, game over, only 13 seconds left.’ We only do plays. ”

Allen went to great lengths to prevent another late-season loss inside Arrowhead Stadium. He threw a pre-touch pass to Gabriel Davis with 1:54 left in regulation, then another to Davis – his fourth TD playoff record in the game – with 13 seconds remaining in the game. regulations.

Allen’s only mistake? His coin toss call.

He finished with a 329-yard pass, and Davis with eight 201-yard catches, as the Bills lost their ninth straight-line playoff — a streak that included last year’s loss to Kansas City in the AFC title match.

“It’s just tough, you know? To stay in that moment,” Allen said. “It was just as bad as the way it was, you know? We want to win that game. We had a chance. It’s just, yeah, let’s take it all in, hold onto that feeling and make sure we don’t feel like this again – all these years back in the same place. It’s hard to accept. ”

All told, Mahomes and Allen each threw at least 300 yards and three touchdowns, completed at least 70% of their passes without interception, and – get this – led their team with speed at least 65 meters.

No other quarterback in NFL history has achieved those feats in a single game, regular season, or post-season.

“The captains are a good team. We knew it was going to take a lot of effort coming out here,” said Bills coach Sean McDermott, “and I think the boys gave us that effort, starting with Josh and all the way up. Street. But those people get hurt, we’re frustrated – we’re all frustrated, we’re sick to our stomachs. You move on and you try and force yourself to learn from it, but it hurts. It bites. I won’t sugarcoat it. It bites.”