Josh Allen’s big TD run lifts the Bills and hands the Chiefs their first loss of the season

The Kansas City Chiefs no longer have to worry about chasing the 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, they may have to worry about the 2024 Buffalo Bills chasing them.

The Chiefs came in with a perfect 9-0 record, but the Bills outplayed them in a 30-21 victory. Suddenly, the 9-2 Bills are just one loss behind Kansas City in the standings, and it’s a head-to-head tiebreaker. The race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC is on.

Josh Allen’s 26-yard touchdown run on fourth down just before the two-minute warning was the knockout punch other teams haven’t been able to land against Kansas City this season.

The Chiefs had escaped with narrow wins all season, like last week when they blocked a short potential game-winning field goal in the final game against the Denver Broncos. In the end, the Chiefs wouldn’t win a close game in bizarre fashion. The Bills’ aggressive play calling in the fourth quarter, going for it instead of trying a field goal that would have given them five points, was the difference.

The Bills were the right team to hand the Chiefs their first loss. It could end up being costly for Kansas City.

Buffalo is off to a hot start

Buffalo has played well most of the season and has battled hard against the Chiefs in recent seasons despite some heartbreaking playoff losses to Kansas City. The Bills started quickly and picked off Patrick Mahomes when Mahomes tried to force a pass when he was going down on a sack. That led to a Bills touchdown and some early momentum.

The game was close throughout, but the Bills always seemed one step ahead. They never trailed in the game by more than one point. The Bills weren’t explosive against a good Chiefs defense, but Allen made enough plays to keep Buffalo moving. Buffalo led 23-14 early in the fourth quarter.

But it’s the Chiefs who are never out of a game. And all of Buffalo knew it.

Kansas City got a touchdown from tight end Noah Gray, his second TD of the game and Mahomes’ third passing touchdown. That cut the Bills’ lead to 23-21. Buffalo was in a big spot, with the chance to put the Chiefs away with a long touchdown drive.

They got the long drive – and the touchdown. The Bills were in Kansas City territory and had an interesting decision. On fourth-and-2, instead of trying a field goal from about 45 yards, Buffalo went for it with 2:27 left.

Then Allen made a spectacular play that might end up being huge in the AFC playoffs.

Josh Allen gives the Bills a lead

Allen dropped back and began to scramble, pump faked near the line of scrimmage and ran through the attempted tackles of three Chiefs defenders. The 26-yard touchdown put the Bills ahead 30-21 with 2:17 left.

The Bills understood that kicking the field goal would just give Mahomes the opportunity to beat them in the final minute. They went after the kill shot and were rewarded.

It could end up being a massive game in the AFC this season. The Bills still need the Chiefs to stumble at least one more time to have a shot at the No. 1 seed, but getting the bye and home field advantage would be huge. It wouldn’t guarantee anything — the Chiefs showed last season that they’re capable of winning on the road in the postseason, including at Buffalo — but it would be a big help.

Kansas City is chasing a historic third consecutive Super Bowl this season. In the first nine games, the Chiefs were unscathed. With a clutch Allen touchdown run, the road back to the Super Bowl could have gotten significantly tougher.