Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs with the ball for a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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Josh Allen makes the play of the year as Bills take down undefeated Chiefs

Josh Allen shines as Bills defeat Chiefs, end KC's streak

Bills receiver Khalil Shakir couldn’t hold back his excitement when quarterback Josh Allen bulldozed through two Kansas City Chiefs defenders on a 26-yard touchdown run late in the game. As Allen crossed the goal line, securing Buffalo’s 30-21 victory, Shakir joined the roaring Buffalo crowd, screaming with all his might.

That fourth-and-2 touchdown with just over two minutes left was a defining moment. It cemented the Bills’ (9-2) push for the AFC’s top seed and dashed the Chiefs’ hopes of a perfect season, handing the reigning Super Bowl champions their first loss after nine consecutive wins.

JOSH. ALLEN. GREATNESS.

📺: #KCvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/3HyIoDCaAC
— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2024

“When Josh takes off, I find myself just watching, like, ‘Wow, he’s different,’” Shakir said. “When he took off today, I just started yelling. I couldn’t stop yelling. I was blanking in the head.”

The stadium erupted as fans chanted “MVP!” while Allen’s decisive run replayed on the big screen during Chiefs vs. Bills. This victory held extra weight for Buffalo, a team repeatedly thwarted by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in past playoff runs.

It marked a moment of redemption, even as Allen’s head-to-head record against Kansas City evened out at 4-4, including postseason clashes.

For Allen, the stakes were crystal clear when head coach Sean McDermott chose aggression over caution, opting for a fourth-down attempt instead of a field goal. This win wasn’t just another notch in their belt—it was about defeating the team that has haunted them for years.

And in doing so, Buffalo also preserved the ’72 Dolphins’ claim to being the only team to finish a perfect season.

Bills continue regular-season dominance over the Chiefs

For the fourth straight season, the Bills triumphed over the Chiefs in the regular season. But now, they face a bigger challenge: flipping the narrative in the postseason, where Kansas City has been their ultimate roadblock.

JOSH ALLEN AND THE BILLS HAND CHIEFS THEIR FIRST LOSS SINCE CHRISTMAS 2023 🤯😱 pic.twitter.com/buud7hzIDy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 18, 2024

Buffalo played their cards perfectly this time in Bills vs. Chiefs. Learning from other teams’ mistakes, like the Broncos settling for field goals and the Buccaneers opting for overtime, McDermott put his faith in Allen on a crucial fourth-and-2. It was the right call.

Josh Allen delivered, turning a high-pressure situation into a highlight-worthy touchdown.

When the game was on the line, Allen leaned into his signature “marauding” style, breaking through defenders and sealing the win. Instead of watching Mahomes engineer another legendary comeback, the Bills took control, ending Kansas City’s perfect run.

A win that felt bigger than football

Sunday’s victory wasn’t just about breaking the Chiefs’ streak. It was about Buffalo reclaiming some of the magic that Mahomes and Kansas City have wielded for so long. They pressured Mahomes into a subpar outing, holding him to just 181 yards over 35 dropbacks—a modest 5.2 yards per play.

Despite his three touchdown passes, Mahomes threw two costly interceptions and lacked his usual spark.

Is Josh Allen the MVP so far this season? pic.twitter.com/51kde8HumA
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) November 18, 2024

For Buffalo, the win carried even greater significance. It proved their 8-2 record wasn’t just the result of an easy schedule. Until this game, they had only one win against a team with a winning record. By taking down Kansas City, they made a statement: this team is built for more than just regular-season success.

A revamped defense, despite losing key veterans, rose to the occasion. Josh Allen, as always, handled the rest. This formula—resilience on defense and Allen’s playmaking—might just be the blueprint for a Super Bowl run.

Jim Nantz calls Allen’s run the play of the year

The game’s intensity even swept up CBS announcer Jim Nantz, who called Allen’s touchdown “the play of the year.” While the moment was undeniably pivotal, many might not agree with that bold claim.

I was yelling too loud to hear it live .

Jim Nantz is so smooth with these big moments calls.

"Oh the play of the year" as Allen pinballs into the endzone pic.twitter.com/YZff9TBUc1
— Bills Chat Podcast (@BillsChatPod) November 18, 2024

Sure, Josh Allen’s run was clutch, showcasing his athleticism and timing. But without the dramatic stakes of the matchup, it would be seen as just another great play by an elite player. Stripped of its context, it wasn’t groundbreaking—Allen simply exploited an opening and punished a strong defense.

Still, for Bills fans, it was a moment to savor—a reminder of what their team is capable of when everything clicks. And for the league, it was yet another chapter in the epic rivalry between Allen and Mahomes.

Josh Allen

Kansas City Chiefs

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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