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Chiefs rally past Buffalo 42-36 in OT in wild playoff game

3 lead changes in final 2 minutes of regulation; Chiefs win coin toss, then game
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with teammates after game-winning TD in OT of AFC divisional playoff game vs. Buffalo Bills, Jan. 23, 2022
Posted at 10:53 PM, Jan 23, 2022
and last updated 2022-01-23 23:03:03-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce in the corner of the end zone from 8 yards early in overtime, and the Kansas City Chiefs rallied to beat the Buffalo Bills 42-36 on Sunday night in a sizzling finish to a wild divisional-round weekend.

The lead changed hands three times in the final two minutes of regulation before Harrison Butker, who earlier missed a field goal and extra point, drilled a 49-yarder for Kansas City as time expired to force overtime.

The Chiefs won the coin toss, marched swiftly downfield against the NFL's top-ranked but exhausted defense, and right into their fourth straight AFC title game. They'll play the Bengals next Sunday night for a spot in the Super Bowl.

Mahomes finished with 378 yards passing and three touchdowns, including a 64-yarder to Tyreek Hill during the thrilling final minutes of regulation. The Chiefs ended the Bills' season inside Arrowhead Stadium for the second straight year.

Josh Allen did everything in his power to prevent it. He threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis with 1:54 left in the regulation, then another to Davis — his playoff-record fourth TD catch — with 13 seconds remaining.

Buffalo Bills receiver Gabriel Davis catches playoff record-fourth TD at Kansas City Chiefs in AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 23, 2022
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabriel Davis catches a 19-yard touchdown pass —his record-setting fourth — ahead of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed during the fourth quarter of an NFL divisional round playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo.

Allen finished with 329 yards passing, and Davis with eight catches for 201 yards, as the Bills — who had beaten the Chiefs soundly in October — lost their ninth straight road playoff game dating to their last victory in the 1992 season's AFC championship.

In a playoff game for the history books Sunday night, the Bills and Chiefs played 58 minutes that few will remember. And about two minutes and an overtime that few will forget.

The Chiefs were leading 26-21 when Allen, who had been nearly perfect all night, connected with Davis for the third time in the game — a fourth-and-13 dart that gave the Bills the lead.

Not to be outdone, the Chiefs answered when Mahomes found Hill over the middle. The fleet-footed wide receiver ran away from cornerback Levi Wallace for a 64-yard touchdown that gave Kansas City the lead back.

Then it was the Bills’ turn. Allen threw a 28-yard pass to Davis, hit him again for 12 yards, then found Emmanuel Sanders to give coach Sean McDermott's team a chance with 17 seconds on the clock.

Allen hit Davis right between the numbers, their 19-yard strike giving him the postseason-record, but not the victory.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harris Butker celebrates after 49-yard FG vs. Buffalo Bills in AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 23, 2022
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker celebrates with teammate Tommy Townsend after kicking a 49-yard field goal during the fourth quarter of an NFL divisional round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 42-36.

Mahomes wasn't done conjuring up playoff magic. He found Hill for 19 yards, then hit Kelce for 25 more. That gave Butker a chance to try a 49-yarder into a slight, chilly breeze as time expired.

Naturally, it split the uprights.