Two Bills Drive

‘ For the second time in 12 weeks. … For the ninth time in seven years. … For the fourth time in the last five playoffs. … For the second time in an AFC championship game.’

‘Aside from Allen, the Bills’ key against Kansas City: They take the football away and don’t give it up. Including the postseason, the Bills’ plus-27 turnover differential is eighth-best in NFL history, and their eight turnovers are fewest including the playoffs. Through 19 games, the Bills have outscored their opponents 140-27 off turnovers, including 10-0 over Baltimore last week. In their Week 11 win over the Chiefs, the Bills were plus-1 – they scored a touchdown off a first-quarter takeaway. Compare this to last year when the Bills were plus-2 (tied for 12th) and had 28 giveaways.’

‘“I think when you know who you are and you know what works for us, it’s a lot easier,” McDermott said Wednesday. “If you have to adjust things this time of year, then it gets more, more difficult perhaps, but we’ve been taking the same approach rather consistently all season.” Left tackle Dion Dawkins, a leader on the team, echoed that mindset when he spoke on Thursday, so it’s trickling down to all the players. The Bills need to stay true to the things that have brought them success all season if they want to notch another win on Sunday.’

’26 – It’s how many catches Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has in three playoff games vs. Buffalo. They went for 271 yards and five touchdowns. Kelce has the most postseason catches (172) in NFL history, and his 2,020 playoff receiving yards trail only Jerry Rice (2,245).’

‘ It all comes down to this. The Chiefs have won an astounding 16 straight one-score games (those decided by eight points or less). At some point, that has to change, right? Or, better yet, how about avoiding that by taking a bigger lead? I know, it’s asking a lot. The Bills generally have not beaten themselves this season by giving the ball away. That has to continue, because the likelihood of the defense forcing three takeaways the way it did last week is low. Instead, the Bills have to get off the field when they have the opportunity by making third-down stops. On the flip side, the offense has to remember these six words: Field goals don’t beat Patrick Mahomes. Head coach Sean McDermott has to know that by now. Finish with touchdowns in the red zone. It feels like the Bills are ready for this moment. It’s time. Bills, 35-24.’

‘“That was cool to get to speak with him,” Araiza told The Buffalo News in the Chiefs’ locker room Thursday. “That game was a whole full-circle moment, being back in Buffalo for the first time in two years and seeing a bunch of guys I hadn’t seen and coach McDermott, especially. He told me he was proud of my resilience and just wished me luck for the rest of the year.”’

‘The first postseason meeting between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes came at the end of the 2020 season in the AFC championship game. In the most lopsided of these three January meetings, the Chiefs won 38-24. Allen threw for 287 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but it was no match for Mahomes, who was 29 of 38 for 325 yards and three scores.’

‘Jan. 20, 1991: In perhaps the most famous of the Bills’ four AFC championship victories, the team steamrolled the Los Angeles Raiders, scoring 41 points in the first half en route to a 51-3 victory at then-Rich Stadium. Kelly threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, while Thomas added 138 yards and a touchdown of his own on the ground. Backup running back Kenneth Davis contributed only 21 yards, but found the end zone three times, while wide receiver James Lofton caught five passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns.’

‘“You go into every game sometimes with an idea of how you think the game is going to go, or what it’s going to take to win,” Brady said. “I believe that we have an offense that, you know, we’re able to win in different ways. Sometimes (you) get into the feel of how the game’s going, (and it) might dictate potential changes or sticking to something.”’

‘“People believe in this. So I wanted to celebrate that and showcase that – that sense of resiliency that comes from being a Buffalo Bills fan and what the team has been through, what the fans have been through for so many decades of just waiting for that brass ring,” Hochul said. “And it will come. It absolutely will come. But in the process, this long wait has made us stronger and grittier and more resilient. And those are all traits that we all share as Buffalonians.”’

‘Western New York psychologists and mental health experts say being a sports fan can provide a sense of identity, community and belonging. And in Buffalo, perhaps more than other cities, being a Bills fan is deeply embedded into the identity of who people here are. Every heartbreaking loss – think “wide right” “forward lateral” or “13 seconds” – builds up the communal scar tissue, and every jubilant win further forges the bonds to the team and to each other, experts say.’