Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen developed a friendship with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. His two star players in the NFL sometimes play a game of golf together during the offseason.
But Allen's fondness for Mahomes will likely evaporate, at least for a few hours, until this weekend's divisional-round playoff game between the Bills and Chiefs at Highmark Stadium.
Allen and the Bills will be looking to avenge their overtime loss to the Chiefs in the 2021 regional round. The Chiefs also eliminated Buffalo from the playoffs in the 2020 AFC Championship Game.
But the location of Sunday's game is different from the recent Bills-Chiefs postseason matchup. Previously, the Bills had to go to Arrowhead Stadium in January, but this year the Chiefs will have to fly to New York.
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Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills attempts a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
But past playoff heartbreaks aren't on Allen's mind.
“There's no need to bring that up,” Allen said Wednesday. “I'm sure people are going to bring up my fears, but no, I have a lot of respect for him and his play and him off the field.”
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Following the Bills' loss in 2021, the NFL is changing its postseason overtime rules. Kansas City won the coin toss and scored a touchdown on the first possession of overtime to end the 2021 district game. Current rules state that both teams are guaranteed a chance to possess the ball in overtime.
Sunday's game will be Mahomes' first postseason game away from Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes expressed his excitement about the opportunity to play in front of a positively raucous crowd.
Patrick Mahomes (left) of the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
“I know it's going to be hostile and there's going to be some people saying bad things and stuff, but I'm looking forward to it because it's one of the best environments in football,” Mahomes said. “And when you grow up watching these games in the best of circumstances, you want to experience what it’s like.”
There is no snow forecast for Sunday, but both teams are used to playing in frigid temperatures. The Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins last week in one of the coldest games in NFL history.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) plays during the second half of the NFL Wild Card playoff game against the Miami Dolphins on January 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
There's a lot of affinity between the Bills and Chiefs. The rivals have split their last six meetings since 2020, including the playoffs.
“There's no secret,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said.
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No matter where the stage is, Allen knows how difficult it will be to defeat the defending champion.
“They're at the top of the mountain. They know what it takes to get there. We're not there yet,” said Kansas City, whose only appearance in the AFC Championship Game Allen said after the game ended in a 38-24 loss. “As a competitor, it's a dream come true to be in a situation like this.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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