With the Buffalo Bills set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Josh Allen is presented with a significant opportunity for redemption. As anticipation builds for this crucial playoff matchup, we’ll explore bold predictions regarding Allen’s performance in what could be a defining game of his career.
For Allen to truly be recognized as one of the modern great quarterbacks, he needs to overcome the Chiefs in the postseason at some point. Although he has been a standout player since 2020, earning three Pro Bowl selections, Allen has yet to secure a playoff victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in their three prior postseason encounters. If Allen fails to lead the Bills to victory in this high-stakes game, he may face criticism from fans who could label him a “playoff fraud.”
On the other hand, Mahomes has already cemented his legacy with three Super Bowl wins and could potentially capture a fourth championship this season. Should Mahomes achieve that feat, he will have surpassed halfway to Tom Brady’s all-time record of seven Super Bowl titles, further solidifying his place among the elite quarterbacks in history.
Following the Bills’ dramatic 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, Allen reflected on his upcoming showdown with the Chiefs. “We know what they are. They’re the perennial model of what you want to be in the NFL,” said Allen, who has earned Second-team All-Pro honors twice. “You’ve got to beat them to get past them. So, you know, we’re going to enjoy this one tonight.” His acknowledgment of the Chiefs’ dominance in the league adds weight to the magnitude of the upcoming game.
Despite the formidable challenge presented by Kansas City (16-2), Buffalo’s 30-21 victory over the Chiefs earlier in the season should provide some confidence. However, Allen has made it clear that he is not taking that win for granted. “The regular season is what the regular season is, and it doesn’t matter how well you perform. When you get to the playoffs, it doesn’t really matter,” Allen explained before the Ravens game. “It’s hard to beat a team twice. We understand that. We know that. It’s a team that we beat earlier in the season, but it’s not the same team. They got some guys back on their defense and their offense, and I can’t tell you much about them because I’ve been focused on the Ravens, but we’ll get into it tomorrow.”
Having recently eliminated two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, Allen now faces his fourth playoff meeting with Mahomes. Will this be the time he finally overcomes his postseason nemesis? The emergence of rookie running back James Cook has helped the Bills establish a more balanced offensive attack, but it will still be Allen who leads the charge on Sunday. Expect the dual-threat quarterback to pass for approximately 270 yards and rush for at least 30 yards, reminiscent of his performance against the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card round.
Allen’s impressive contract extension in 2021, which averages $43 million per year, highlights the Bills’ faith in him to perform on the biggest stages. At 28 years old, Allen is in his prime and has the experience to take control of the game and manage the clock against Kansas City’s explosive offense. In their previous meeting, Allen completed 27 of 40 passes (67.5%) for 262 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Additionally, he contributed 55 rushing yards and a score on 12 carries. His ability to produce against the Chiefs, both in the regular season and playoffs, should give fans confidence that he can replicate that success in this critical matchup.
A major key to Allen’s growth has been his improvement in protecting the football. Early in his career, Allen struggled with turnovers, throwing 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a rookie. However, he has since turned a corner, posting 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions during the 2024 season. This trend has continued into the postseason, where Allen has accounted for two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and no turnovers in his two playoff games thus far.
As Allen enters his sixth season, he has developed both the skill set and mental fortitude to handle the immense pressure of playoff football. The former No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is now a seasoned leader who will protect the football and consistently lead his team down the field in the biggest moments.
One bold prediction is that Allen will account for at least four total touchdowns in the AFC Championship game. Whether he’s connecting on deep passes to wide receiver Amari Cooper, targeting tight end Dalton Kincaid over the middle, or handing the ball off to James Cook in the backfield, Allen has a wide array of weapons at his disposal. Additionally, his ability to break free for key rushing yards or pick up first downs with his legs makes him an even more dangerous threat. Despite facing a tough Chiefs defense, led by All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, Allen’s unique playmaking ability is too much for any defense to shut down completely.
In the end, Allen is poised to lead the Bills to victory in a thrilling 35-31 shootout. If he can defeat Mahomes and the Chiefs, Buffalo will earn its first Super Bowl appearance since 1993, and Allen’s legacy will continue to grow. However, even if Allen achieves this victory, he will still need to accomplish more in the postseason to surpass Mahomes and solidify his place among the NFL’s all-time greats. The stage is set for an unforgettable battle in the AFC Championship, with Josh Allen determined to finally overcome his biggest playoff hurdle and push the Bills one step closer to Super Bowl glory.
