ORCHARD PARK — The Dragons wore No. 15, but a desperate fan base that had failed in four straight Super Bowls, the last one living with the memory of 30 years ago, was as cold-blooded as they could call him. He kept shouting poisonous words.
This dragon had ignited their dreams twice before, but only in Kansas City. That can't happen now. Even his first road playoff game shouldn't happen now. On this night, 60 spine-chilling minutes after the AFC Championship game, all of Western New York turns its lonely eyes on you, Josh Allen, trying to stop this fire-breathing dragon from melting down the NFL's biggest dreams. did.
For the Bills Mafia legions assembled at Highmark Stadium on Sunday night, it was 20 months since Patrick Mahomes was born after wide right and their beloved Bills last played in the Lombardi Trophy. Being born later must have seemed cruel. There he was, trying to win his third Super Bowl with the Chiefs.
It's time to slay the dragon.
Mahomes may have had Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce rooting for him, but Allen had a deafening chorus that Jim Kelly and the boys of yesteryear would have approved of.
Beat the damn dragon and you'll be in Lamar Jackson's Baltimore for the AFC Championship game next Sunday. Kill the damn dragon and chase history. Defeat the damn dragon and give Heartbreak a chance to check out of his hotel.
Patrick Mahomes (17-of-23, 215 yards, 2 TDs, 6-19 rushing) vs. Josh Allen (26-of-39, 186 yards, 1 TD, 12-72, 2 TDs rushing).
From Kansas City to Buffalo and everywhere else, everyone is getting choked up.
The dragon killed Bills.
The dragon killed Josh Allen.
Patrick Mahomes is 27 years old, Josh Allen is 24 years old.
“I love being at Arrowhead and playing in front of a crowd, but when I'm on the road, I'm the star.” [versus] It’s them,” Mahomes said. “That is you [versus] Everyone at the stadium. ”
Mahomes vs. the World, The World lost.
“Losing sucks,” Allen would say. “Losing to them sucks, losing to anyone at home sucks.”
This was a compelling play and high drama about two heavyweights trying to impose their will on the night.
Two pressure-proof and weather-proof quarterbacks face off in the center of the ring.
60 minutes between high tide and high tide.
Mahomes takes the lead. Mahomes is behind him. Allen first. Allen is behind.
“I know it's going to be a game down to the end because he's a competitor and a player,” Mahomes said.
Now, it's the fourth quarter.
“I went up to the defense and said if everyone would just stop the game, we're going to win this football game and go to the AFC Championship game,” Mahomes said.
Leading 24-20, Mahomes found Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 32-yard gain, then Isaiah Pacheco's 4-yard TD run gave Mahomes 27 yards and Allen 24 yards.
And suddenly, Sean McDermott made a gamble he might regret. He snapped directly to No. 30 Damar Hamlin's fourth-and-5. Gained 2 yards.
The soccer gods saved him. Mecole Hardman, who scored first at No. 3, fumbled a catch through the end zone. After McDermott's challenge was successful and Hardman overturned a contact down at first, it was Allen's ball.
Well, there are 8:23 left until next week or next season.
Stefon Diggs let a bomb slip through his hands. Allen was undaunted. 50:4-and-3 to Khalil Shakir for 10 yards.
That gives him 26 yards on a two-minute warning until next week or next season.
He missed Shaquille in the end zone. “I just couldn't get into the throws,” Allen said.
Tyler Bass' 44-yard FG tied the score.
Wide right. Heaven to right wide Scott Norwood.
“I wish he hadn't been put in that situation,” Allen said. “You win as a team, and you lose as a team. One play doesn't define the game.”
Mahomes hit Valdes-Scantling for 30 yards on the opening kickoff of the second half, then ran for another 24 yards for his 16th 3-yard TD pass to Travis Kelce and TDs to Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. I was successful in breaking the connection. Mahomes is 20 years old, Allen is 17 years old.
(Paning at Taylor Swift in her suite while a shirtless Jason Kelce celebrates behind him with his drink of choice.)
Allen found Shaquille on third down for a 13-yard TD pass. Allen is 24 years old, Mahomes is 20 years old.
“I had to make one more play and I couldn't,” Allen said.
The last player with the ball would have won in overtime. The dragon had no chance.
“It was fun,” Mahomes said.
He'll have more fun in Baltimore and get a chance to defend his title.
