ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — For the primary time, in what has developed right into a historic rivalry between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Buffalo Payments, a Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs workforce goes to play at Highmark Stadium within the postseason.
The Chiefs did come to Orchard Park within the 2020 common season, however that recreation was performed with out followers within the stands due to COVID-19. Since Mahomes and quarterback Josh Allen have began video games, the Chiefs and Payments have met six occasions with 5 of these occurring in Kansas Metropolis.
The chance to host Mahomes lastly within the postseason and to have this divisional spherical recreation performed at house is one thing that is not misplaced on the Payments.
“[Mahomes has] solely been right here as soon as. So, he is by no means been right here. Easy as that. Pat has by no means been to the Payments’ stadium in full,” left deal with Dion Dawkins stated. “… The setting will likely be totally different and to not say it is in our favor, however stadium is our favor. Stadium is us. That helps us. I do not care what no one says. That is probably the most dopest feeling I’ve ever had. We’re having two back-to-back playoff video games house. Come on now, like we get to go away and go eat wings. It is cool. So good luck.”
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The Payments beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead final month, 20-17, in a recreation that began the workforce’s present six-game profitable streak. Kansas Metropolis has received each of the postseason conferences since 2020 — 2020 AFC championship and 2021 divisional spherical — whereas Buffalo has received three of 4 common season matchups throughout that point.
Whereas the Payments’ 2022 season did finish with a house playoff loss to Cincinnati Bengals, traditionally the Payments have seen important success in house playoff video games with a 14-2 report since 1970, greatest in league amongst groups with a minimal of 5 house video games throughout that point.
The Payments are making ready for this recreation within the midst of a second lake impact snowstorm hitting the Buffalo-area in per week, however have maintained a standard follow schedule on a brief week after the wild-card spherical recreation vs. the Steelers was pushed again. The workforce is already asking followers for a second straight week to return assist shovel out the stadium on Friday.
“It is good to have the followers behind you. I believe little nuances, like not having to make use of silent cadences is at all times a plus,” heart Mitch Morse, a former Chiefs participant, stated. “I believe particularly with a brief week like we had, it is very nice to have this house discipline benefit. However we additionally know that within the playoffs, these groups which have made it this far are used to adversity and antagonistic conditions.”
This recreation will make Mahomes and Allen the fourth pair of quarterbacks to satisfy a minimum of thrice within the playoffs inside their first seven seasons. The Chiefs are presently a three-point underdog, per ESPN BET, the second time in Mahomes’ postseason profession that he is an underdog, becoming a member of final yr’s Tremendous Bowl.
With a win, it might mark Allen’s second AFC championship recreation look and Mahomes’ sixth.
“They have been on the prime of the mountain. They know what it takes to get there. We have but to try this,” Allen stated. “Once more, as a competitor as a participant to be in a state of affairs like that is one thing you dream about. I do know guys on this workforce have been ready for this second for a very long time. To consider how far we have come even from seven-eight weeks in the past to the place we at the moment are to have a chance to host a recreation towards — they’ve received two championships within the final couple years — you may’t assist however be enthusiastic about that.”
