Bills vs Chiefs by the numbers: An analysis of the wildest stats from the thrilling division playoff game

NFL fans couldn’t have asked for a better finale for the knockout stages of this year’s qualifiers.

The Bills and Chiefs delivered a thrilling finish, with a final-time penalty shootout leading to the end of extra time. The captain took a 42-36 lead to advance to his fourth consecutive AFC championship game.

Fouls, led by Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, filled the score with astonishing stats. Sporting News breaks down some of the wildest numbers from the game.

THAN: Bills vs Chiefs final score and results

Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes . Statistics

Both have been regarded as the preeminent quarterback over the years in the AFC, and each strengthens their case for the new best QB competition.

Allen completed 27 of 37 passes for 329 yards with four touchdowns and no interception, while Mahomes completed 33 of 44 passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interception. And that was just the tip of their impressive evening; each led their team forward, with Allen carrying the ball 11 times in 68 yards and Mahomes dashing 69 yards and scoring on seven attempts.

DISTANCE: This time, Mahomes and Chiefs won by chance draw, surgeon’s skill

Some historic numbers came out in their duel. It was the only playoff in NFL history where quarterbacks banded together to make 700 yards over, seven touchdowns and no interception, according to Stathead.

Mahomes and Allen also posted 21st and 22nd playoff games with 300 yards of passing, three touchdowns and a completion rate of at least 72 percent, according to Stathead. This is the second time each has done it after this season. This is also the first time two midfielders have posted such status lines in the same game. Allen’s performance in the Wild-card round was the only time before that a midfielder achieved all the milestones passed while also dashing for a distance of at least 60 yards.

THAN: Where did Josh Allen go to college?

The last two minutes

The two teams have played against each other in all games, but what happened in the final two minutes of regulation raised the heart rate of onlookers.

Summary:

• 1:54: Bills leads 29-26
• 1:02: The captain leads 33-29
• 0:13: Bills lead 36-33
• 0:00: Leaders end the game at 36

For those watching at home, it was 25 points in the final two minutes of the game.

That’s the most combined score between playoff teams in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The only game with a crazier ending came on December 8, 2013, when Raven and Vikings combined 28 points in the final two minutes. Baltimore won 29-26 on a touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Marlon Brown.

Gabriel Davis ‘night of history

If NFL fans don’t know the name Gabriel Davis will be entering Sunday’s contest, they certainly know by now.

Davis single-handedly beat the second captain, catching all four of Allen’s touchdowns and winning 201 yards of points from just eight catches. And two of his encounters have come when the Bills needed him most.

Several aspects of the receiver’s performance second year wide make it history. He became the first player to get four touchdown passes in a knockout match. He’s only the ninth receiver to reach more than 200 yards received in a single game, per Stathead. His two forward touchdowns in the fourth quarter tied him first in a knockout, per Stathead.

THAN: Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen by the numbers

Do not stop committing crimes

This is not a match for defense lovers. Not a single offense can be slowed down, with Buffalo recording a total of 422 yards of offense and Kansas City tallying 552.

A total of 974 yards ranks as the 15th most in playoff history, according to Statheadand that’s the most by two teams did do not overturn the ball.

683 yards of synthetic passing ranked 29th in a knockout, per Stathead.

And according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the second time the two playoff teams have come together in five or more attempts from fourth or more without a single failure.

Josh Allen’s Coin Flip Fortune

The NFL’s overtime rules are in place once again, as the Captains were able to win the game without the Bill having a chance to respond. But Allen has had success with coin tosses in the past.

ESPN’s Field Yates reports that Allen has fixed the scoreline perfectly 9-0 this season when the game flips a coin. He guessed the first and last Sunday, and the coin appeared. The captains made him pay for his 50-50 gamble, going 75 yards down the field for eight innings to score the decisive goal.

Lack of punishment

For a game with as much firepower as this one, it’s definitely clean.

The Bills have only three penalties in 15 yards. The captains have a free kick in 10 yards.

It’s one of only 33 playoffs in NFL history to have 25 combined penalty yards or less, and the 78-point aggregate is the most of any game on the list, according to Stathead. It is also one of 55 knockout matches had four or fewer composite penalties and was again the highest score in those competitions.