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Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs outlast Bills, head to Super Bowl 59 with chance at NFL history
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- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs outlast Bills, head to Super Bowl 59 with chance at NFL history
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of a dynasty.
The back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in a back-and-forth battle to advance to their third consecutive Super Bowl. It's the franchise's fifth AFC championship since 2019. Kansas City has won nine straight postseason games.
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The Chiefs now have their sights on becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles.
Mahomes had 245 passing yards, one touchdown, 43 rushing yards and two rushing TDs in the win.
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The Chiefs offense waltzed down the field on a nine-play, 90-yard touchdown drive on their opening possession to take a 7-0 lead. Mahomes fumbled on Kansas City's second possession and the turnover led to 10 unanswered points by Josh Allen and the Bills. But, in typical reigning champion fashion, Mahomes and the Chiefs scored on back-to-back possessions to in the second quarter and took a 21-16 advantage at halftime.
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After the Bills defense forced Kansas City to punt in the third quarter, Buffalo went on a run-oriented 80-yard touchdown drive that featured 11 runs to claim a 22-21 lead with 2:56 remaining in the third quarter.
The Chiefs defense stuffed an Allen QB-sneak on fourth-and-inches to begin the fourth quarter. Mahomes marched the Chiefs down in five plays and scored a go-ahead touchdown on a 10-yard run. The Chiefs scored a two-point conversion on the ensuing play to give themselves a 29-22 lead.
Yet, Allen and the Bills answered again when he completed five passes, including a four-yard touchdown strike on fourth-and-goal to tie the contest.
Kansas City's offense stalled after wide receiver Xavier Worthy's 23-yard reception put the Chiefs in the red zone. Kicker Harrison Butker connected on a 35-yard field goal to lift the Chiefs to a 32-29 lead.
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The Bills offense had a chance to tie the contest late in the fourth quarter, but Kansas City dialed up an all-out blitz on fourth down and Allen's desperation pass came up incomplete.
Kansas City was able to milk the clock on its ensuing possession.
The Bills finished 4-6 on fourth downs.
Mahomes improved to 4-0 versus Allen and the Bills in the postseason.
Since 2018, Mahomes and Reid have led the Chiefs to seven straight AFC championship games and five Super Bowl appearances. The Chiefs quarterback now has 17 career postseason wins, the second most in NFL history.
This season, the Chiefs clinched their ninth-straight AFC West title, they reached the AFC championship game for the seventh-consecutive season and now they are on their way to New Orleans for Super Bowl 59. Kansas City is the fourth team to reach three consecutive Super Bowls.
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It'll be Andy Reid's sixth Super Bowl appearance as a head coach.
The Chiefs are set to play the Philadelphia Eagles , Reid's old franchise, in a rematch of Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs won 38-35.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs outlast Bills in AFC championship game, head to Super Bowl 59
