For the third time in four seasons, the Buffalo Bills will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have come out on top in each of the previous encounters, but could this finally be the year the Bills make their push for the Lombardi Trophy? The NFL Playoff Vegas Odds suggest otherwise, as Buffalo enters the AFC Championship Game as 1.5 point underdogs.
What? AFC Championship: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Buffalo Bills’ last postseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs dates back to 1993. However, they’ve had success against Kansas City in the regular season, including a memorable win during the 2024 NFL season. That triumph occurred in November at Orchard Park, where the Bills secured a 30-21 victory.
While Buffalo is renowned for its dynamic passing offense led by quarterback Josh Allen, their strategy against the Chiefs leaned heavily on the ground game. Allen himself rushed for a touchdown, while running back James Cook added two more. The Bills’ lone passing touchdown came from wide receiver Curtis Samuel.
Since that game, the Bills have played eight additional matchups, surpassing the 30-point threshold in five of them. In their most recent outing, they narrowly missed that mark, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 last weekend.
Entering the Divisional Round as underdogs, Buffalo delivered an impressive performance to secure the win. Josh Allen shone yet again, running for two touchdowns, while running back Ray Davis contributed the team’s third touchdown of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs, winners of the last two Super Bowls, are on a mission to claim the championship once again. However, their performances this season haven’t always lived up to their lofty standards, despite securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC at the end of the regular season.
Their most dominant victory came in the penultimate week of 2024 when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10. As for their top offensive showing, that occurred in Week 12, when they put up 30 points against the Carolina Panthers.
In their most recent outing, the Chiefs handled the Houston Texans with a 23-14 victory. Patrick Mahomes threw a touchdown pass, while running back Kareem Hunt added another score on the ground to seal the win.
AFC Championship Prediction and Betting Picks
Despite several close calls during the 2024 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs boast an impressive record with only one loss. Their defense remains one of the most formidable in the league, and Patrick Mahomes has steadily built stronger connections with his receiving corps as the season has progressed.
Additionally, Travis Kelce appears to have conserved his energy for the postseason, giving Kansas City’s offense an extra boost. This could help them exceed the 21 points they scored in their earlier meeting with the Bills, provided they can avoid turnovers like the 2-1 deficit they faced in Week 11.
While Josh Allen and the Bills are sure to put up a fierce fight, the Chiefs’ ability to contain Buffalo’s offense—especially one lacking a definitive top receiver—could be the deciding factor. With the game taking place in Kansas City, the home-field advantage may provide the final push the Chiefs need to secure a trip to their third straight Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs -1.5Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs and Bills have faced off 56 times throughout their storied histories. Buffalo holds a slight edge in the overall series with a 30-25-1 record, though Kansas City has dominated in the postseason, boasting a 4-2 advantage.
Their most recent meeting occurred during the 2024 regular season, where the Bills handed the Chiefs their lone loss of the year. In that game, Buffalo secured a 30-21 victory, fueled by three rushing touchdowns shared between Josh Allen and James Cook.
This upcoming clash will mark the fourth postseason encounter between these two teams in the past five years. Kansas City claimed victory in the previous three matchups, with the last two being decided by narrow margins.
The Bills’ last playoff win over the Chiefs dates back to the 1993 NFL playoffs, held in early 1994. Buffalo triumphed in the AFC Championship Game 30-13, thanks in large part to Thurman Thomas, who racked up 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Below are the best rated sportsbooks where you can place your AFC Championship bets.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.