Bills' historic run falls short with 38-24 loss to Chiefs in AFC Championship Game

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — They say all good things must come to an end and for the Buffalo Bills, that time has come.

The Bills, playing in their first AFC Championship Game since the 1993-94 season, fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-24 in Sunday night's game, ending their season just short of a trip to the Super Bowl.

The Bills finish their best season in recent memory that consisted of a 13-3 regular season record, their first AFC East title since 1995-96, two postseason wins, and multiple team records broken.

Game recap

The Bills got the ball to start the game and took advantage. After a 4th down conversion put them in Chiefs territory, Tyler Bass hit a 51-yard field goal to give the Bills an early 3-0 lead.

After their second offensive possession stalled, the Bills special teams came up big. Chiefs returner Mecole Hardman muffed the punt, and Taiwan Jones recovered it inside the Chiefs five-yard line. On the first play, Josh Allen found Dawson Knox who took it in three yards for the first touchdown of the game to go up 9-0 [after the missed extra point] as the 1st quarter came to an end.

The Chiefs finally had a response just a minute into the 2nd quarter. After converting their own 4th down attempt, Patrick Mahomes later found Hardman who took it in three yards to put the Chiefs on the board and make it a 9-7 game. After another Bills drive stalled, the Chiefs took advantage and extended their lead just minutes later. Darrel Williams took the handoff on 1st and goal and ran it in from six yards out to make it 14-9 Chiefs.

Another three-and-out for the Bills gave the Chiefs another opportunity and they capitalized once again. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran right up the middle on 1st and goal from the one-yard line to cap off a nine-play, 77-yard drive that put the Chiefs up 21-9.

The Bills, driving late in the half, got into the red zone but couldn't convert on 3rd and goal. Instead of going for it on 4th down, the Bills settled for a 20-yard field goal to make it a 21-12 game at the half.

After each team opened the 2nd half with a field goal, the Chiefs once again found the end zone. Mahomes found Travis Kelce for his 11th catch of the game and first score, putting the Chiefs up 31-15 after three quarters.

The Bills opened up the 4th quarter converting on 4th down but just as they got in the red zone and were trying to cut into that lead, Allen was intercepted by Rashad Fenton. It was Allen's first career interception in the red zone. The Chiefs later capitalized to go up 38-15.

The Bills got on the board late in the 4th quarter after Allen found Isaiah McKenzie to make it a 38-21 game after the failed two-point conversion. After a successful onside kick, the Bills tacked on another field goal but too little, too late, as the Chiefs held on and maintained that lead.

By the numbers

Allen finished the day going 28-for-48 for 287 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He added 88 yards on the ground on seven carries to lead the team's run game. Cole Beasley led the Bills WR corps with seven catches for 88 yards.

The Bills defense had their hands full with Patrick Mahomes and his top two targets, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. Mahomes finished 29-for-38 for 325 yards and three touchdowns, Kelce had 13 catches for 118 yards [two TD], while Hill had nine catches for 172 yards.