KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes made one of his off-schedule plays to give the Kansas City Chiefs a brief lead against the Buffalo Bills late in the first half of their divisional-round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. But quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game in the final minute of the half.
Mahomes was chased by pressure and seemingly unable to see downfield. But with defensive end Jerry Hughes bearing down on him, Mahomes jumped in the air and fired a pass into the end zone. Wide receiver Byron Pringle caught it for a 2-yard touchdown.
ONCE YOU POP YOU CAN’T STOP!! @pringle_byron
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— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 24, 2022
The Bills tied it on a seven-play drive that ended with Allen finding receiver Gabriel Davis wide-open. Davis ran into the end zone for an 18-yard score. Allen made the throw with pressure in his face as the Chiefs sent seven pass-rushers on the play.
Allen went 9-of-11 with three touchdowns when teams sent seven or more pass-rushers during the regular season, the most completions and tied for the most touchdowns in that situation, per ESPN Stats & Information. Davis also had to jump to come down with the ball, but he was wide-open because Chiefs cornerback Mike Hughes fell down in coverage after running into a teammate.
Quick six. 🤙
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— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 24, 2022
The Chiefs took a 23-14 lead late in the third quarter on an end-around that Mecole Hardman ran 25 yards for a touchdown. Hardman appeared to be stopped for a short gain near the sideline but slipped through some defenders and hit the end zone pylon just before going out of bounds.
ENGINES: ON 🛩
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— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 24, 2022
The Bills quickly got back into the game thanks to an impressive 75-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Davis for their second TD connection of the night. Allen’s pass hit Davis in stride and brought the Bills within two points on just one play. The pass was thrown 49 yards downfield, Allen’s longest completion of the season in terms of air yards.
The touchdown is the second-longest offensive score in Bills playoff history. (Daryle Lamonica threw a 93-yard TD to Elbert Dubenion in the 1963 AFL divisional game against the Patriots.)
WHAT. A. BEAUT.
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— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 24, 2022