The Buffalo Bills won in the NFL’s Week 11 feature matchup, 30-21, at Highmark Stadium. Buffalo (9-2) ended Kansas City’s (9-1) undefeated season in the matchup between AFC heavyweights.
The first half started with a bang for the Bills. Buffalo’s defense made the first big play of the evening as safety Taylor Rapp intercepted Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on the second play of the game.
The Bills offense responded with an eight-play touchdown drive culminating with a James Cook three-yard touchdown rush. Kicker Tyler Bass missed the PAT, giving Buffalo a six-point lead.
The defenses kept things under wraps for the remainder of the first quarter. Kansas City answered early in the second quarter, with receiver Xavier Worthy scoring on a 10-yard touchdown catch.
The remainder of the first half looked like a shootout was brewing. Buffalo’s offense put together a nine-play drive to retake the lead. Once again, Cook found the end zone, plowing through the middle of the line for a six-yard touchdown.
Kansas City retook the lead late in the second quarter. Mahomes found backup tight end Noah Gray for a two-yard touchdown reception.
The Bills rounded out the half with a 12-play drive. Bass was successful from 33 yards out, giving Buffalo a two-point halftime lead, 16-14.
The defenses were at the forefront in the third quarter. The teams combined for four punts in the quarter, but the four drives totaled only 55 yards between the two offenses.
Buffalo would finally break the second-half stalemate. The Bills offense sustained a strong 10-play drive, 83-yard drive. Allen retreated from a Kansas City blitz to find receiver Curtis Samuel in space. The wideout scurried into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown.
The fireworks continued with Kansas City’s offense. Mahomes extended a play from Buffalo’s one-yard line, rolling out to the right and finding Gray for their second connection on the evening.
Buffalo then rattled off a 12-play drive to once again give the Bills a two-score lead. The Bills put the ball in the hands of Josh Allen, and it paid off. On fourth-and-two from the Chiefs 26-yard-line, Buffalo decided against the field goal attempt. The call paid dividends, as Allen rushed from 26 yards, knifing through the Kansas City defense on his way into the end zone. Buffalo would take the lead 30-21 with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
Kansas City attempted a comeback bid, moving into Bills territory. However, a penalty forced the Chiefs into a fourth-and-thirteen attempt. The final play for Kansas City was an interception at the hands of linebacker Terrel Bernard.
Here is the rest of Bills Wire’s instant analysis following the win over the Chiefs:
Scoring recap
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First Quarter
BUF 6, KC 0: James Cook 3-yard touchdown rush. PAT failed. (10:00)
Second Quarter
KC 7, BUF 6: Xavier Worthy 10-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes. Spencer Shrader PAT. (14:53)
BUF 13, KC 7: James Cook 6-yard rushing touchdown. Tyler Bass PAT. (10:08)
KC 14, BUF 13: Noah Gray 2-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes. Spencer Shrader PAT. (2:51)
BUF 16, KC 14: Tyler Bass 33-yard field goal. (0:00)
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
BUF 23, KC 14: Curtis Samuel 12-yard touchdown reception from Josh Allen. Tyler Bass PAT. (12:51)
BUF 23, KC 21: Noah Gray 1-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes. Spencer Shrader PAT. (7:53)
BUF 30, KC 21: Josh Allen 26-yard touchdown rush. Tyler Bass PAT. (2:21)
Key stats
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- The Bills defense forced two intercep4tions at critical times. They intercepted Patrick Mahomes on the Chiefs opening and closing drives.
- The Bills outgained the Chiefs 366-259 total yards on offense.
- Allen totaled 317 total yards (262 passing, 55 rushing).
- Allen led the Bills in rushing with 55 yards. Allen’s total exceeded the combined yardage of James Cook, Ty Johnson, and Ray Davis.
- Khalil Shakir led the Bills with eight receptions for 70 yards.
- Terrel Bernard and Von Miller each recorded a sack.
- Buffalo allowed zero sacks in the game.
- The Bills defense has forced a turnover in all 11 games this year.
- Allen’s touchdown moved him into second place in franchise career rushing touchdowns.
The play of the game
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Josh Freakin’ Allen. The Bills put together a total team effort, with standout plays coming from players on every unit.
However, the most outstanding play fell into the arms of Allen. With just over two minutes remaining in regulation time, Buffalo was faced with their biggest decision of the night. On fourth down-and-two, head coach Sean McDermott could call for a 43-yard field goal attempt. This would give the Bills a chance at a five-point lead, forcing the Chiefs to score a touchdown to win the game.
However, as anyone in Buffalo knows, we’ve seen that script before.
McDermott sent his offense back on the field. Allen dropped back momentarily and then saw the Kansas City defense drop off in man coverage. With no one spying on Allen, the possible MVP took off, cutting through the Chiefs defense. Allen finished the run by bowling through two Kansas City defenders at the goal line on his way into the end zone.
With Tyler Bass’ successful PAT, the Bills took a nine-point lead. With the way the Bills defense was playing and Allen’s penchant for heroics, it was a game worth taking.
Game balls
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- Josh Allen- Allen’s heroics have been documented from the game. Once again, he outbattled Mahomes in a thrilling contest. His 317 total yards paced everyone on the field. His ability to extend plays is nothing short of remarkable. Allen put up these numbers with a run game that struggled quite a bit on the afternoon, two of his top targets missing the game due to injury, and his No. 1 receiver playing at less than 100-percent.
- Offensive Line- The offensive line did not give up a sack. They battled injuries, as Spencer Brown did not play due to an ankle ailment. Dion Dawkins also left for a time with an injury during the game. Allen’s versatility helps out this unit, but the offensive line group did well enough to keep the likes of Chris Jones and George Karlaftis off of Allen.
- Khalil Shakir-Shakir has just blossomed this season. Once again, his ability to gain yards after the catch keeps the offense moving along. He is slippery in space, and Shakir is as reliable as a receiver in the NFL right now.
- Terrel Bernard- He led the Bills with eight total tackles. Bernard recorded a sack, and his diving interception late in the fourth quarter sealed the game for the Bills.
- James Cook- Cook earns a game ball for finding the end zone twice in the game. His stat line isn’t amazing, but two rushing touchdowns are pretty great.
- Curtis Samuel- Samuel stepped up in Keon Coleman’s place. He also saw time as Amari Cooper was not playing at complete health. Samuel reeled in five catches for 58 yards. The veteran did a great job at sneaking his way through the Chiefs defense on his way to his first touchdown as a Bill.
What’s next?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles quarterback Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bolton was called for a horse-collar tackle penalty on play. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Buffalo enters their bye week following their stellar victory. The Bills are one-half game behind the Chiefs in the overall AFC standings.
Buffalo returns to action on December 1 against San Francisco. The Bills-49ers game will be the featured Sunday Night game for Week 13.
