The Kansas City Chiefs squared off against the Buffalo Bills for the fourth time in seven NFL postseasons, already making the 2024 AFC Championship Game appointment viewing. However, the magnitude of the game is far more severe.
Between a Super Bowl appearance, a chance for a Chiefs three-peat, and the unofficial best player in the league title on the line, the stakes are as high as they can be, leading to heightened tensions and emotions on the field. Some of that spilled over after the third touchdown from Kansas City courtesy of tight end Travis Kelce.
Travis Kelce Using Psychological Warfare for Advantage
A certified legend in the league, Kelce has been unbelievably effective when it comes to playoff football. Second all-time in yards and touchdowns for all players, his legacy is secure as it stands.
But he is a competitor through and through, and the intensity of the night was visible in him too. Thanks to a ridiculous 60+-yard kick return, the Chiefs were given excellent field positioning. A Patrick Mahomes scramble paved the way for them to take a 21-10 lead as Mahomes barrelled into the end zone.
After the play, his running mate throughout his career was right there, mocking safety Damar Hamlin for his failed attempt to stop him.
As Kelce danced around him, it drew an antagonistic reaction from the Bills, who got into a shoving contest before Jordan Phillips charged at Kelce with contact to the face mask.
Here’s the exchange between Travis Kelce and Damar Hamlin, which led to an unnecessary roughness penalty from Jordan Phillips.
Stay for the … acting from Kelce.#ChiefsKingdom #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/d4g0JndHiG
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) January 27, 2025
It drew a penalty on Buffalo as the legendary tight end won a cerebral battle in the exchange. As the game winds down, it will be the little things that decide its outcome, a way that Kansas City likes to play as they often win on the margins.
When it comes to the two teams, they are as even as they can get. While the Bills have the advantage on offense, ranking fourth in the league compared to K.C.’s 12th-place finish in PFN’s Offense+ metric, the Chiefs’ 14th-ranked defense has the advantage over Buffalo, which sits at 18th according to PFN’s Defense+ metric.
And, even though Allen is having the better season according to PFN’s QB+ metric (third compared to Mahomes’ 10th), history suggests that the two-time MVP will get even better in the postseason. With the squads as even as they come, it could all come down to one or two critical plays or mistakes.
And if the Chiefs can make their opponents lose composure with increased frequency, it could determine the end result.