Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs relished ‘challenge’ of road win over Bills،
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Patrick Mahomes has heard about the Kansas City Chiefs' ability to survive their first true road playoff game since becoming the starting quarterback.
He and his teammates used it as fuel during the week and then in the game, a 27-24 divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. The win sends the Chiefs to another road test next Sunday: the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens in Baltimore.
“The guys took it as a challenge,” said Mahomes, who threw just 23 passes but for 215 yards and two touchdowns. “We came in with the same mindset that we're going to come together, do our best and see if we can get a win. And that takes the mentality throughout the week, it takes every play be executed., and we did a great job today and managed to score enough to win.
Mahomes said he doesn't dread the prospect of playing his first playoff game on the road in noisy Buffalo; on the contrary, he looked forward to it. Mahomes had played in Buffalo once but had never seen the place in all its glory. This match took place in 2020 and took place without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was very excited,” Mahomes said. “It was going to be a great environment here in Buffalo. I had heard about it. Obviously, I played here but not with the fans. I knew the fans were going to be rowdy, hostile. But you appreciate the greatness of the organizations and going there week after week, filling the stadium and being fans.
“I obviously love playing at Arrowhead, but it’s cool to go on the road for a playoff game and be able to win this one.”
The Chiefs have been an effective team on the road with Mahomes at quarterback, and they have had a better record this season away from Arrowhead Stadium (8-2, including playoffs) than at home (5 -4).
“I think it’s because guys are coming together,” Mahomes said. “I love being at Arrowhead and playing in front of this crowd. But when you're on the road, it's you against them, it's you against everyone in the stadium, and you have to be a team, and guys are doing it. You saw it in today's game.”
“For three quarters offensively, we moved the ball up and down the court,” he continued. But we got stopped in the fourth quarter, and I went to the defense and told them, 'You're all going to stop and we're going to win this football game. We're going to the AFC championship game. ' And they did.
“It was a team win, and that’s what we need in the playoffs.”
The Chiefs are headed to their sixth straight AFC Championship Game, this time in Baltimore. The first five took place at Arrowhead Stadium.
