Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats
The Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats from January 26, 2025, tell the story of one of the most competitive AFC Championship games in recent NFL history. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 32-29 at Arrowhead Stadium, securing their place in Super Bowl LIX. Both teams delivered strong offensive performances, but Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs made the decisive plays when the game entered its most important moments.
Josh Allen led Buffalo’s offense with 237 passing yards and two touchdown passes, while James Cook added 85 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. On the Kansas City side, Mahomes completed 18 of 26 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed 43 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, making his performance especially important to the final result.
This breakdown examines the complete player statistics, including passing, rushing, receiving, defense, special teams, turnovers, and scoring. It also explains what the numbers reveal about each team’s performance, why the game remained close, and how Kansas City eventually secured the three-point victory.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The AFC Championship took place on January 26, 2025. Kansas City entered the contest with a 15-2 regular-season record and an unbeaten 8-0 home record. Buffalo arrived with a 13-4 record and a 5-4 away record.
The matchup featured two established quarterbacks with different offensive approaches. Josh Allen brought his combination of passing ability, physical running, and ability to extend plays. Patrick Mahomes relied on accurate passing, creative movement, and his ability to make important decisions under pressure.
AFC Championship Final Score
How to Watch & Listen Chiefs Games | Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs.com
Kansas City Chiefs
32
Winner
Record entering game: 15-2
Buffalo Bills News, Scores, Stats, Schedule | NFL.com
Buffalo Bills
29
Record entering game: 13-4
| Game detail | Information |
| Competition | AFC Championship |
| Date | January 26, 2025 |
| Venue | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium |
| Final result | Chiefs 32, Bills 29 |
| Game status | Final |
| ESPN Game ID | 401671887 |
Quarter-by-Quarter Score
The scoring pattern shows how closely the teams competed throughout the game. Buffalo had a productive second quarter and scored six points in the third, but Kansas City responded with an 11-point fourth quarter.
| Quarter | Buffalo Bills | Kansas City Chiefs |
| First | 3 | 7 |
| Second | 13 | 14 |
| Third | 6 | 0 |
| Fourth | 7 | 11 |
| Total | 29 | 32 |
Kansas City established an early advantage, but Buffalo remained close by producing points in the second and third quarters. The Chiefs’ final-quarter performance proved decisive.
The fourth-quarter difference was especially important. Kansas City scored 11 points compared with Buffalo’s seven, turning a competitive championship contest into a three-point victory.
AFC Championship
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, MO
Bills
13-4
29
Final
Jan 27
32
Chiefs
15-2
OverviewTeam StatsPlayer StatsPlay-By-Play
1. Quarterback Statistics: Josh Allen vs Patrick Mahomes
The quarterback comparison was one of the most important parts of this championship matchup. Both quarterbacks protected the football through the air, avoided interceptions, and contributed to their teams’ scoring.
However, their performances differed in efficiency and how they created opportunities.
Josh Allen’s Passing Performance
Bills’ QB Josh Allen explains how he’s outgrown ‘turnover machine’ label | Yardbarker
Josh Allen
237
Passing yards
2 passing touchdowns
| Passing statistic | Josh Allen |
| Completions | 22 |
| Attempts | 34 |
| Completion percentage | 64.7% |
| Passing yards | 237 |
| Yards per attempt | 7.0 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Sack yards lost | 10 |
| Total QBR | 68.2 |
| Passer rating | 104.7 |
Allen completed 22 of his 34 passing attempts. His 237 yards showed that Buffalo could move the ball through the air against Kansas City’s defense.
His two touchdown passes were also important because they allowed Buffalo to remain competitive even when the Chiefs found ways to slow down the running game.
Three aspects of Allen’s performance deserve attention:
- Ball security: He threw no interceptions, avoiding one of the most damaging mistakes a quarterback can make in a championship game.
- Passing efficiency: His 7.0 yards per attempt reflected a productive passing performance.
- Mobility: His contribution on the ground gave Buffalo another way to attack Kansas City’s defensive structure.
Allen also recorded two sacks for a loss of 10 yards. Those plays reduced the value of some offensive possessions, especially when Buffalo needed to maintain consistent forward progress.
Patrick Mahomes’ Passing Performance
Bills vs. Chiefs Drew 57.7M Viewers as Mahomes Beat Allen to Reach NFL Super Bowl 59
Patrick Mahomes
245
Passing yards
111.9 passer rating
| Passing statistic | Patrick Mahomes |
| Completions | 18 |
| Attempts | 26 |
| Completion percentage | 69.2% |
| Passing yards | 245 |
| Yards per attempt | 9.4 |
| Passing touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Sack yards lost | 12 |
| Total QBR | 85.4 |
| Passer rating | 111.9 |
Mahomes completed 18 passes from 26 attempts. Although he recorded fewer completions than Allen, his passing average was considerably higher.
His 9.4 yards per attempt compared with Allen’s 7.0 is an important difference. It indicates that Kansas City generated more passing yardage from each attempt.
Mahomes also finished with:
- 245 passing yards.
- One passing touchdown.
- No interceptions.
- An 85.4 QBR.
- A 111.9 passer rating.
The most interesting part of his performance was the combination of passing and rushing. Mahomes did not need to produce a huge number of completions to influence the scoreboard. His running ability gave Kansas City another scoring option.
Josh Allen vs Patrick Mahomes: Direct Comparison
| Category | Josh Allen | Patrick Mahomes |
| Completions | 22 | 18 |
| Attempts | 34 | 26 |
| Completion rate | 64.7% | 69.2% |
| Passing yards | 237 | 245 |
| Yards per attempt | 7.0 | 9.4 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks | 2 | 2 |
| QBR | 68.2 | 85.4 |
| Passer rating | 104.7 | 111.9 |
What does this comparison tell us?
Allen produced more completions and passing touchdowns, but Mahomes generated eight more passing yards on eight fewer attempts.
Mahomes’ higher yards-per-attempt figure suggests that Kansas City was more productive with its passing opportunities. Allen, meanwhile, remained effective by combining his passing production with his rushing contribution.
It would be misleading to judge either quarterback using passing touchdowns alone. Mahomes scored twice on the ground, and those rushing touchdowns were part of his overall offensive impact.
2. Rushing Statistics: James Cook and Kareem Hunt Lead the Ground Game
The rushing battle was another major feature of this game. Both teams used their running backs and quarterbacks to create scoring opportunities.
Buffalo recorded 147 team rushing yards, while Kansas City finished with 135. The Bills had a slight advantage in total rushing yardage, but the Chiefs scored more rushing touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills Rushing Stats
NFL running back rankings: Where’s Bills’ James Cook?
James Cook III
85
Rushing yards
2 rushing touchdowns
| Buffalo player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDs | Longest |
| James Cook III | 13 | 85 | 6.5 | 2 | 33 |
| Josh Allen | 11 | 39 | 3.5 | 0 | Not supplied |
| Ty Johnson | 6 | 19 | 3.2 | 0 | Not supplied |
| Ray Davis | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 | Not supplied |
| Team | 32 | 147 | 4.6 | 2 |
James Cook was Buffalo’s leading rusher. His 85 yards on 13 carries produced an impressive average of 6.5 yards per attempt.
He also scored twice, making him one of the most productive offensive players for the Bills.
Cook’s 33-yard longest run demonstrates his ability to create a substantial gain without requiring a large number of carries. His production gave Buffalo a reliable rushing option and helped balance the passing attack.
Allen also contributed 39 rushing yards on 11 carries. His running ability made Kansas City’s defensive assignments more difficult because defenders had to account for both the running backs and the quarterback.
Ty Johnson added 19 yards, while Ray Davis recorded four.
Kansas City Chiefs Rushing Stats
AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt
64
Rushing yards
1 rushing touchdown
| Kansas City player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDs |
| Kareem Hunt | 17 | 64 | 3.8 | 1 |
| Patrick Mahomes | 11 | 43 | 3.9 | 2 |
| Xavier Worthy | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 5 | 12 | 2.4 | 0 |
| Team | 35 | 135 | 3.9 | 3 |
Kareem Hunt led Kansas City’s running backs with 64 yards on 17 attempts. His 3.8-yard average was not as high as Cook’s, but his workload made him an important part of the Chiefs’ offensive plan.
Mahomes added 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His rushing production was especially valuable because it turned him into a dual-threat scoring option.
Xavier Worthy contributed 16 yards on two carries, averaging eight yards per attempt. Isiah Pacheco added 12 yards.
Rushing Comparison: Bills vs Chiefs
| Team statistic | Buffalo | Kansas City |
| Total carries | 32 | 35 |
| Rushing yards | 147 | 135 |
| Yards per carry | 4.6 | 3.9 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
Buffalo won the rushing yardage comparison by 12 yards. Kansas City, however, scored one additional rushing touchdown.
This difference is important. Rushing success is not measured only by the number of yards gained. The ability to turn rushing opportunities into points can be more valuable than producing a slightly higher average.
Buffalo’s Cook was more explosive as a conventional running back, while Mahomes gave Kansas City an additional scoring threat through quarterback runs.
3. Receiving Statistics: Which Players Made the Biggest Impact?
The receiving numbers reveal another interesting difference between the two offenses.
Buffalo distributed its passing production among several players, while Kansas City received significant contributions from Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Buffalo Bills Receiving Leaders
Mack Hollins
73
Receiving yards
1 receiving touchdown
| Buffalo receiver | Receptions | Yards | Average | TDs |
| Mack Hollins | 3 | 73 | 24.3 | 1 |
| James Cook | 3 | 49 | 16.3 | 0 |
| Khalil Shakir | 6 | 46 | 7.7 | 0 |
| Amari Cooper | 4 | 33 | 8.3 | 0 |
| Dalton Kincaid | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 |
| Keon Coleman | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 |
| Dawson Knox | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 |
| Curtis Samuel | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 1 |
| Ty Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Mack Hollins was Buffalo’s leading receiver by yardage. He recorded three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
His 24.3 yards per reception was particularly impressive. It shows that Buffalo had success generating significant yardage from relatively few completed passes to him.
James Cook also contributed as a receiver, recording three catches for 49 yards. His receiving average of 16.3 yards per catch gave Buffalo another way to use his versatility.
Khalil Shakir led the listed Buffalo receivers in receptions with six. He collected 46 yards, providing a consistent short-to-intermediate receiving option.
Amari Cooper added four catches for 33 yards, while Dalton Kincaid recorded two receptions for 13 yards.
Curtis Samuel’s listed receiving line included one catch for four yards and one touchdown. This is a useful reminder that a receiver’s statistical value is not always reflected in total yardage.
Kansas City Chiefs Receiving Leaders
Xavier Worthy
85
Receiving yards
1 receiving touchdown
| Kansas City receiver | Receptions | Yards | Average | TDs |
| Xavier Worthy | 6 | 85 | 14.2 | 1 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2 | 60 | 30.0 | 0 |
| Hollywood Brown | 3 | 35 | 11.7 | 0 |
| Travis Kelce | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 |
| Samaje Perine | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 0 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 |
| Kareem Hunt | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 |
Xavier Worthy led the Chiefs with six receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown.
His 14.2-yard receiving average showed his ability to make meaningful gains after the catch or through downfield opportunities.
JuJu Smith-Schuster produced one of the most efficient individual receiving performances. He caught two passes for 60 yards, averaging 30 yards per reception.
Hollywood Brown contributed three receptions for 35 yards, while Travis Kelce finished with two catches for 19 yards.
Samaje Perine also made a useful contribution with one reception for 17 yards.
Receiving Comparison
| Team statistic | Buffalo | Kansas City |
| Listed receptions | 22 | 18 |
| Receiving yards | 237 | 245 |
| Average yards per catch | 10.8 | 13.6 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Targets | 62 | 50 |
Kansas City gained eight more receiving yards despite recording four fewer listed receptions.
The Chiefs also produced a higher average per reception. This supports the view that their passing attack generated more yardage from fewer completed passes.
Buffalo’s offense relied more heavily on spreading the ball among its receivers, while Kansas City benefited from explosive contributions by Worthy and Smith-Schuster.
4. Defensive Player Stats: Tackles, Sacks and Quarterback Pressure
Offensive performances often receive the most attention, but defensive statistics help explain why a championship game becomes difficult for both teams.
The Bills and Chiefs each recorded two sacks. Neither defense intercepted a pass, meaning both quarterbacks avoided throwing an interception.
Buffalo Bills Defensive Statistics
| Defensive player | Total tackles | Solo tackles | Sacks | Other contribution |
| Cole Bishop | 10 | 9 | 0 | Leading tackler |
| Matt Milano | 9 | 8 | 1 | 1 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| Rasul Douglas | 7 | 6 | 0 | – |
| Terrel Bernard | 6 | 2 | 0 | – |
| Ed Oliver | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 QB hits |
Cole Bishop led Buffalo with 10 total tackles and nine solo tackles.
Matt Milano recorded nine tackles, eight solo tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. His statistical contribution reflected involvement in both run defense and pass-rushing situations.
Rasul Douglas contributed seven tackles, while Terrel Bernard recorded six.
Ed Oliver finished with four tackles and two quarterback hits.
Buffalo’s overall defensive numbers:
- 64 total tackles.
- 41 solo tackles.
- Two sacks.
- Three tackles for loss.
- One pass defended.
- Seven quarterback hits.
- No defensive touchdowns.
- No interceptions.
These numbers show that Buffalo generated pressure and made tackles, but it did not produce an interception that could have changed possession.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Statistics
| Defensive player | Total tackles | Solo tackles | Sacks | Other contribution |
| Chamarri Conner | 9 | 5 | 0 | Leading tackler |
| Drue Tranquill | 9 | 3 | 0 | – |
| Nick Bolton | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 pass defended |
| Justin Reid | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 tackle for loss |
Chamarri Conner and Drue Tranquill led Kansas City’s listed defenders with nine tackles each.
Nick Bolton recorded six tackles and one pass defended. Justin Reid added five tackles and one tackle for loss.
Kansas City’s overall defensive numbers:
- 67 total tackles.
- 40 solo tackles.
- Two sacks.
- Three tackles for loss.
- Three passes defended.
- Eight quarterback hits.
- No defensive touchdowns.
- No interceptions.
Kansas City recorded three passes defended compared with Buffalo’s one. The Chiefs also registered one more quarterback hit.
These differences do not automatically explain the final result, but they demonstrate how Kansas City generated slightly more activity in several defensive categories.
Defensive Comparison
| Category | Buffalo | Kansas City |
| Total tackles | 64 | 67 |
| Solo tackles | 41 | 40 |
| Sacks | 2 | 2 |
| Tackles for loss | 3 | 3 |
| Passes defended | 1 | 3 |
| QB hits | 7 | 8 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Defensive TDs | 0 | 0 |
The defensive comparison was relatively balanced. Neither team dominated the other in sacks or tackles for loss.
Kansas City’s small advantage in quarterback hits and passes defended suggests that its defense created slightly more disruption in the passing game.
5. Turnovers and Fumble Statistics
Turnovers can determine the result of close NFL games. In a three-point championship contest, every lost possession has the potential to change the outcome.
The supplied statistics show a significant difference between the teams’ fumble records.
| Fumble statistic | Buffalo | Kansas City |
| Team fumbles | 4 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 1 |
| Team recoveries | 5 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
Buffalo Bills Fumbles
| Player | Fumbles | Lost | Recoveries |
| Josh Allen | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Ray Davis | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Buffalo recorded four listed team fumbles, but none was lost according to the supplied data.
Josh Allen accounted for three fumbles, while Ray Davis recorded one.
The most important detail is that Buffalo maintained possession despite these incidents.
Kansas City Chiefs Fumbles
| Player | Fumbles | Lost | Recoveries |
| Patrick Mahomes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Kansas City recorded one team fumble, and it was lost.
That means the Chiefs did not have a perfect ball-security performance. However, the supplied statistics show that the team still managed to win despite giving away possession.
Why Turnover Numbers Matter
The difference between fumbles and lost fumbles is important.
A fumble does not automatically mean a turnover. The team that originally possessed the ball can recover it and continue its offensive possession.
In this matchup:
- Buffalo had more listed fumbles.
- Buffalo did not lose any of them.
- Kansas City recorded fewer fumbles.
- Kansas City lost its one listed fumble.
- Neither quarterback threw an interception.
The numbers demonstrate that Buffalo protected its possession better in the fumble category, even though Kansas City won the game.
6. Special Teams Statistics: Kicking, Punting and Returns
Special teams played an important supporting role in the AFC Championship. Both kickers converted their listed field-goal attempts, and each team received useful contributions from its return units.
Kicking Statistics
| Kicker | Team | Field Goals | FG Accuracy | Longest FG | Extra Points | Total Points |
| Tyler Bass | Bills | 1/1 | 100% | 53 yards | 2/2 | 5 |
| Harrison Butker | Chiefs | 1/1 | 100% | 35 yards | 3/3 | 6 |
Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs
Tyler Bass
Buffalo’s kicker converted his only listed field-goal attempt, a 53-yard kick, and both extra points.
Chiefs Make Butker NFL’s Highest-Paid Kicker
Harrison Butker
Butker converted his 35-yard field goal and all three listed extra-point attempts.
Both kickers finished with 100% accuracy on their listed field-goal attempts.
Butker recorded six total points, one more than Bass. That difference came from Kansas City’s additional extra-point conversion.
Bass’s 53-yard field goal also demonstrated his ability to convert from long range. A successful kick from that distance can be valuable when an offense struggles to reach the end zone.
Punting Statistics
| Statistic | Sam Martin | Matt Araiza |
| Team | Buffalo | Kansas City |
| Punts | 2 | 2 |
| Total yards | 101 | 93 |
| Average | 50.5 | 46.5 |
| Longest punt | 56 | 51 |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 1 |
| Inside the 20 | 1 | 0 |
Buffalo’s Sam Martin averaged 50.5 yards per punt, compared with Matt Araiza’s 46.5-yard average.
Martin also recorded one punt inside the 20-yard line. Araiza had one touchback.
These figures show a small advantage for Buffalo in average punting distance and the listed inside-the-20 category.
Kick Return Statistics
| Team | Returner | Returns | Yards | Average | Longest |
| Buffalo | Ray Davis | 1 | 28 | 28.0 | 28 |
| Kansas City | Nikko Remigio | 4 | 107 | 26.8 | 33 |
Nikko Remigio recorded 107 kick-return yards on four attempts. His longest return covered 33 yards.
Ray Davis recorded one return for 28 yards, giving Buffalo a solid return average of 28 yards.
Kansas City generated more total return yardage because it had more return opportunities.
Punt Return Statistics
| Team | Returner | Returns | Yards | Average | Longest |
| Buffalo | Khalil Shakir | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 |
| Kansas City | Nikko Remigio | 1 | 41 | 41.0 | 41 |
The punt-return comparison shows a notable difference.
Remigio produced a 41-yard return on Kansas City’s only listed punt return. Shakir recorded six yards on Buffalo’s only listed punt return.
A return of this length can improve field position and reduce the distance an offense must cover to reach scoring territory.
However, return yardage alone does not establish how many points resulted directly from a return. It is best understood as one part of the overall field-position battle.
7. How Kansas City Won the Game Despite Buffalo’s Strong Rushing Performance
One of the most interesting findings in the Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats is that Buffalo actually gained more rushing yards.
The Bills recorded 147 rushing yards, while Kansas City produced 135. Buffalo also had James Cook, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
Despite that advantage, the Chiefs won 32-29.
This shows why a football game cannot be understood by looking at only one statistical category.
Kansas City Converted Rushing Opportunities Into More Touchdowns
Kansas City scored three rushing touchdowns, compared with Buffalo’s two.
Patrick Mahomes was central to that difference. His 43 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns made him a major contributor to the Chiefs’ ground production.
Buffalo had the more productive running back in terms of yardage, but Kansas City received additional scoring value from its quarterback.
Mahomes Was More Efficient as a Passer
Mahomes averaged 9.4 yards per attempt. Allen averaged 7.0.
The difference of 2.4 yards per attempt is significant when comparing two quarterbacks with similar passing-yard totals.
Mahomes generated 245 yards from 26 attempts. Allen needed 34 attempts to record 237 yards.
This does not mean Allen played poorly. It means the Chiefs were more productive per passing attempt according to the supplied box-score figures.
Kansas City’s Fourth-Quarter Response
The quarter-by-quarter score provides another important clue.
Buffalo outscored Kansas City 6-0 in the third quarter. The Bills entered the final period with an opportunity to take control.
However, Kansas City responded by scoring 11 fourth-quarter points.
The Chiefs’ ability to produce more points in the final quarter was the direct scoring difference between the teams.
Buffalo’s Passing Game Produced Fewer Yards Per Catch
Buffalo recorded 237 receiving yards, compared with Kansas City’s 245.
The Bills completed more listed receptions, but their average was 10.8 yards per catch. Kansas City’s was 13.6.
That difference indicates that the Chiefs generated more yardage from each completed reception.
The receiving production of Worthy and Smith-Schuster helped Kansas City create more efficient passing opportunities.
8. Five Key Statistical Takeaways From the AFC Championship
The most useful way to interpret the game is to examine the numbers together rather than treating each statistic as an independent measure of success.
Here are five major lessons from the matchup.
1. Patrick Mahomes Delivered the More Efficient Passing Performance
Mahomes completed 69.2% of his attempts and averaged 9.4 yards per attempt.
Allen completed 64.7% and averaged seven yards per attempt.
Both quarterbacks avoided interceptions, but Mahomes produced more passing yardage with fewer attempts.
2. James Cook Was Buffalo’s Most Productive Running Back
Cook gained 85 rushing yards on 13 carries.
His 6.5-yard average was the best among the listed Buffalo rushing players. He also scored twice.
His production demonstrated how important a balanced rushing attack can be in a high-pressure postseason matchup.
3. Mahomes’ Rushing Touchdowns Were a Major Difference
Mahomes recorded two rushing touchdowns.
These scores gave Kansas City an additional scoring advantage beyond its passing game.
A quarterback who can produce touchdowns through both passing and rushing creates a more difficult defensive assignment.
4. Xavier Worthy Led Kansas City in Receiving
Worthy caught six passes for 85 yards and one touchdown.
He was the Chiefs’ leading receiver by both receptions and receiving yards.
His performance provided Kansas City with an important downfield and intermediate receiving option.
5. Kansas City Won the Fourth Quarter
The Chiefs scored 11 points in the final period, while Buffalo scored seven.
This four-point quarter advantage helped Kansas City secure the final three-point margin.
It also highlights the importance of late-game execution in championship football.
9. What the Player Statistics Reveal About Both Teams
The statistics offer a useful comparison of the two teams’ offensive identities.
Buffalo demonstrated a strong rushing attack and received two rushing touchdowns from James Cook. Allen added mobility and two passing touchdowns.
Kansas City displayed a more efficient passing attack and received significant scoring production from Mahomes on the ground.
Buffalo Bills: Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
- James Cook averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
- Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes.
- Mack Hollins averaged 24.3 yards per reception.
- The Bills recorded 147 rushing yards.
- Buffalo did not lose any of its listed four fumbles.
- Tyler Bass converted a 53-yard field goal.
Challenges
- Buffalo gained eight fewer receiving yards than Kansas City.
- The Bills averaged fewer yards per passing attempt.
- Their fourth-quarter scoring total was lower.
- The defense recorded fewer quarterback hits and passes defended.
Buffalo’s performance was strong in several areas. Its rushing attack was productive, and its quarterback avoided interceptions.
The biggest statistical issue was the difference between overall offensive production and scoring efficiency. Gaining yards does not guarantee a victory if those yards do not produce enough points.
Kansas City Chiefs: Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
- Mahomes threw for 245 yards.
- Mahomes averaged 9.4 yards per attempt.
- The Chiefs scored three rushing touchdowns.
- Xavier Worthy recorded 85 receiving yards.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster averaged 30 yards per reception.
- Kansas City scored 11 fourth-quarter points.
Challenges
- The Chiefs lost their one listed fumble.
- Their total rushing yardage was lower than Buffalo’s.
- Kareem Hunt averaged 3.8 yards per carry.
- Kansas City recorded two sacks, matching Buffalo rather than exceeding it.
Kansas City’s most important statistical advantage was its ability to turn offensive opportunities into points.
Its passing efficiency and quarterback rushing production helped compensate for Buffalo’s advantage in conventional rushing yardage.
10. How to Read NFL Match Player Statistics Correctly
For readers who regularly follow NFL box scores, understanding the difference between individual statistics and team totals is important.
A single number rarely tells the complete story.
Passing Yards vs Passing Efficiency
Passing yards show how much yardage a quarterback gained through completed passes.
Yards per attempt provide another perspective by comparing passing production with the number of attempts.
For example:
- Mahomes: 245 yards from 26 attempts.
- Allen: 237 yards from 34 attempts.
Mahomes produced more yardage with fewer attempts, making his average higher.
Rushing Average vs Total Rushing Yards
Total rushing yards show the volume of a player’s production.
Yards per carry indicate how effectively that player used each rushing attempt.
Cook’s 85 yards on 13 attempts produced a 6.5-yard average. Hunt’s 64 yards on 17 attempts produced a 3.8-yard average.
Cook was more efficient by this measure, but Hunt had more carries.
Receiving Average vs Reception Volume
A receiver can produce a high average without recording many receptions.
Smith-Schuster’s two receptions for 60 yards resulted in a 30-yard average.
Shakir’s six catches for 46 yards gave him a higher reception total but a lower average.
Both types of production can help an offense. One provides explosive gains, while the other can provide a dependable short-passing option.
QBR vs Passer Rating
QBR and passer rating are two different quarterback evaluation systems.
Passer rating uses passing-related statistics such as completions, passing yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
ESPN’s Total QBR is a separate metric designed to assess a quarterback’s overall contribution to offensive success, including context and rushing performance.
That is why it is important not to treat the two numbers as interchangeable.
In this matchup, Mahomes recorded an 85.4 QBR and 111.9 passer rating. Allen recorded a 68.2 QBR and 104.7 passer rating.
Both figures favored Mahomes, although each metric measures performance differently.
11. Statistical Accuracy and Important Data Notes
Accurate sports reporting requires more than copying numbers into tables. Individual player totals and team totals should also be checked for consistency.
The supplied ESPN-derived data includes some discrepancies between individual player statistics and team totals. For that reason, the numbers in this article are presented as supplied rather than silently adjusted.
A few examples deserve attention:
- The listed individual rushing totals should not automatically be treated as a perfect reconciliation of every team rushing figure.
- Some receiving lines and team receiving totals do not fully reconcile.
- The fumble recovery totals contain figures that may reflect different box-score recording conventions.
- The defensive team totals and individual defensive lines should be treated as separately transcribed figures.
These differences do not change the supplied final score of 32-29, but they matter when readers compare individual player production with team-level statistics.
For the most reliable original game record, consult the ESPN AFC Championship box score.
The game ID is 401671887, which identifies the January 26, 2025, matchup.
This approach keeps the statistical analysis transparent and avoids presenting an unexplained correction as an official result.
12. Why This Matchup Matters in NFL History
The Chiefs-Bills rivalry became one of the defining postseason matchups of the Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen era.
Both quarterbacks have demonstrated the ability to produce high-level performances under playoff pressure. Their different styles make the matchup particularly interesting.
Allen’s physical running and passing ability allow Buffalo to attack defenses in multiple ways. Mahomes combines accuracy, pocket movement, improvisation, and an ability to make plays outside the original design of a passing play.
The January 2025 AFC Championship added another important result to that rivalry.
Kansas City secured a 32-29 win and advanced to Super Bowl LIX. The result reinforced the Chiefs’ ability to handle close postseason contests.
For Buffalo, the loss showed that a productive offensive performance does not always guarantee advancement. The Bills gained more rushing yards, avoided interceptions, and received strong production from Cook, but Kansas City found a way to score more points.
The game also provides an excellent example of why modern NFL analysis should consider:
- Quarterback efficiency.
- Rushing touchdown production.
- Receiving efficiency.
- Turnover margins.
- Defensive pressure.
- Fourth-quarter scoring.
- Special teams and field position.
Together, these categories create a much clearer picture than the final score alone.
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills game on January 26, 2025?
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship on January 26, 2025. The victory sent Kansas City to Super Bowl LIX.
2. How many passing yards did Patrick Mahomes record against Buffalo?
Patrick Mahomes recorded 245 passing yards, completing 18 of 26 attempts. He threw one touchdown pass and no interceptions.
3. How many passing yards did Josh Allen have against the Chiefs?
Josh Allen completed 22 of 34 passes for 237 yards. He recorded two passing touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 104.7 passer rating.
4. Who was the leading rusher in the AFC Championship game?
James Cook led Buffalo with 85 rushing yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Kareem Hunt led Kansas City’s running backs with 64 rushing yards.
5. Who was Kansas City’s leading receiver against Buffalo?
Xavier Worthy led the Chiefs with six receptions for 85 yards and one receiving touchdown. JuJu Smith-Schuster followed with 60 yards on two receptions.
6. How many rushing touchdowns did Patrick Mahomes score?
Patrick Mahomes recorded two rushing touchdowns and 43 rushing yards on 11 carries. His rushing production was a major part of Kansas City’s offensive performance.
Conclusion
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills was decided by a combination of quarterback efficiency, rushing touchdowns, receiving production, and fourth-quarter execution.
Patrick Mahomes finished with 245 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and two rushing touchdowns. Josh Allen delivered 237 passing yards and two touchdown passes, while James Cook provided Buffalo with 85 rushing yards and two scores.
Kansas City produced fewer rushing yards than Buffalo but scored more rushing touchdowns. The Chiefs also generated more passing yards, averaged more yards per passing attempt, and outscored the Bills in the fourth quarter.
The individual performances demonstrate how competitive the matchup was. Buffalo had several productive players, including Cook, Hollins, Allen, and Shakir. Kansas City received major contributions from Mahomes, Worthy, Hunt, and Smith-Schuster.
Ultimately, the final score reflected the Chiefs’ ability to turn their offensive opportunities into points. The three-point difference secured Kansas City’s AFC Championship victory and its place in Super Bowl LIX.
