Chiefs vs. Bills score: Buffalo keeps playoff hopes alive, upsets Patrick Mahomes in wild finish at Arrowhead

Buffalo moves to 7-6 and is back in the AFC playoff hunt

The Buffalo Bills continued their surge into playoff contention with a 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium to move to 7-6 on the season. 

This game between these two AFC rivals came down to the final possession. After a Harrison Butker 27-yard field goal knotted the game at 17 at the start of the fourth quarter, this contest was determined on the final two drives. Buffalo marched 48 yards into field goal range where Tyler Bass booted a 39-yarder to give the Bills the go-ahead lead with under two minutes remaining. Meanwhile, the defense held up its end of the bargain as it kept Patrick Mahomes and the K.C. offense at bay, forcing a turnover on downs and the win. 

That said, the Chiefs did end up scoring what could have been the game-winning touchdown at the 1:12 mark of the fourth quarter as Travis Kelce caught a 25-yard pass and then lateraled the ball to Kadarius Toney, who took it the final 24 yards for the score. However, the officials deemed that Toney lined up offsides erasing what would have been a game-altering play. 

This game began with a 14-0 run by the Bills as the Chiefs struggled to find a rhythm offensively as Mahomes had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and picked off by Bills defender A.J. Epenesa on the opening drives and the Chiefs then punted on their next three possessions while Buffalo went on a 14-0 run. K.C. then started to show signs of life in the second half, scoring 10 straight to tie the game at 17 before Buffalo ultimately made its final stand en route to the win. 

Josh Allen completed 23 of his 42 passes for 233 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The quarterback also rushed for 32 yards and a score. James Cook was his go-to weapon as the back totaled 141 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. On the Chiefs side, Mahomes was 25 of 43 passing for 271 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Rashee Rice caught seven of his team-high 10 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown.

For more on how this game unfolded, check out our main takeaways below.

Why the Bills won

The Bills got off to a strong start in this game on both sides of the ball. A.J. Epenesa forced a Mahomes turnover on the opening drive and the offense was eventually able to go on a 14-0 run in the first half. Overall, Buffalo couldn't get much production from Stefon Diggs (four catches for 24 yards) and Gabe Davis (zero catches), which meant Josh Allen had to find different outlets on offense. James Cook proved to be an early option as he caught all five of his first-half targets for 83 yards and a touchdown, helping Buffalo build its lead. 

While the offense settled down as this game went along, the defensive pressure from the Bills ramped up. The offense sort of melted down on its fourth drive of the second half. After Allen converted a third-and-9 on a pass to Latavius Murray, back-to-back offensive holding penalties and a third-down sack created a demoralizing fourth-and-38 situation from the Buffalo 19-yard line. Instead of the Chiefs being able to use that stop to create more momentum in their comeback hope, the Bills defense forced a quick three-and-out that saw Mahomes on the field for less than a minute. The ensuing Buffalo drive proved to be the game-winning field goal.

Why the Chiefs lost

Kansas City dug itself into a hole early in this game as the offense continues to be sluggish. The unit began the day with an interception and three punts, while Buffalo went on a 14-0 run.

Despite all that, the Chiefs had a victory -- or at least a late lead -- in their hands, but a penalty by Kadarius Toney erased what would have been a monumental touchdown (more on that below). Throughout this game, Kansas City's receivers seemed to come up short, which has been a storyline that's surrounded the defending champions all season. Even Rashee Rice -- who has been a lone bright spot at that position -- fumbled in the final minute of the third quarter, which took away an opportunity to claw back into the game. 

That lack of a true No. 2 weapon allows defenses to completely blanket Travis Kelce and leaves Mahomes in a frustrating position. 

Turning point

For a minute, it looked like the Chiefs were going to pull together another miraculous come-from-behind win with one of the best plays of the season. Mahomes completed a deep pass to Travis Kelce, who then lateraled the ball back to Kadarius Toney and the wideout ran it 24 yards for the touchdown. But, Toney lined up offsides, which led to the play being nullified and pushing Kansas City back 5 yards.

That infraction created a second-and-15 situation from the Kansas City 46-yard line. Mahomes threw three straight incompletions after that play, which turned the ball over on downs and gave Buffalo the victory.

Play of the game

This 25-yard catch by Deonte Harty was a sneaky pivotal moment in the game. Buffalo was faced with a third-and-6 situation and possibly looking at punting for the fourth consecutive drive. On a night when the Bills struggled to get much production from its wide receivers, Josh Allen connected with Harty to move the chains, flipped the field, and ultimately helped lead to what proved to be the game-winning field goal a few plays later.

What's next

From here, the Chiefs will travel to New England to face the Patriots next Sunday. As for Buffalo, they'll head back to Highmark Stadium and gear up for another heavyweight battle with the Dallas Cowboys coming to town. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:40 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Mahomes' pass falls incomplete and they turn the ball over on downs. Buffalo is going to pull through and get the road win. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:37 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Ed Oliver got a hand on that third down throw from Mahomes and bats the ball down incomplete.

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:36 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

OH NO! What would have been a miraculous lateral touchdown from Kelce to Toney is erased due to an offside penalty.

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:34 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Rashee Rice flips the field with a 19-yard reception from Mahomes. It was a tremendous grab with a defender all over him. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:31 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Patrick Mahomes has 19 career game-winning drives. Does he have another in him today?

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:30 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Tyler Bass connects for a 39-yard field goal to give the Bills a 20-17 lead. The Chiefs have 1:54 remaining and two timeouts to either tie the game or take the lead. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:24 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Not sure why the Bills keep throwing in this spot. You're in field goal territory and could simply keep it on the ground to kill clock and burn the two-minute warning. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:23 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Wow! What looked to be another third-down sack for Kansas City is erased due to an illegal contact penalty that gives the Bills a first down. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:20 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Buffalo didn't mess around on that third down. They simply put the ball in Allen's hands and the quarterback rushed for the first down. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:19 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Bills have been unable to really get much production out of their wide receivers so far tonight. That was until Deonte Harty hauled in a 25-yard gain to move the sticks on third down. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:15 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

This has been a defensive slugfest. The Bills defense does their part by forcing a three-and-out from the Chiefs. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:13 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Tony Romo makes a good point that K.C. maybe should have declined the penalty to force fourth down (and possible punt), but it doesn't matter. On third-and-27, Allen is sacked by Omenihu at the Buffalo 19. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:12 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Bills are starting to unravel a bit. After getting that conversion, they've committed two holding penalties that have sent them back 20 yards. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:08 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Wow. The ruling on the field stands. Huge conversion for Buffalo. Seemed like Murray did not catch it in my opinion. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 7:05 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Chaos. Josh Allen looked dead to rights on the sideline and somehow completed a pass to Latavius Murray, who fumbled. The Bills recovered, which would be for a first down. However, the Chiefs are challenging Murray's catch. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:58 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

We are all knotted up at 17 with 11:31 left to play in regulation. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:57 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

And they quickly reverse it to an incomplete pass. Field goal attempt coming up. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:57 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

They ruled on the field that it was a fumble, but I think that was an incomplete pass. This will naturally be reviewed. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:52 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Richie James with a 25-yard punt return to start the Chiefs offense out at their own 41-yard line. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:49 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That's a tremendous effort by the Chiefs defense. They send pressure and sack Josh Allen for an eight-yard loss to force a quick three-and-out after the Rice fumble. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:46 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Goodness! The Bills recovery the fumble by Rashee Rice and take possession at midfield. It was a clear catch by Rice and then a fumble after making a football move. Huge swing in favor of Buffalo. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:44 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The officials ruled it was a catch and fumble. It'll now by third-and-1. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:40 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

To me, that looks like a Kelce catch and then a fumble recovered by Kansas City. 

[Dec 10, 2023 at 6:35 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Snead has done a great job at containing Stefon Diggs so far tonight. The Chiefs defense forces a three-and-out.