Live updates: Kansas City Chiefs heading back to the Super Bowl, will play Tampa Bay
The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the AFC Championship Game for the third straight season Sunday and will return to the Super Bowl after a 38-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs beat Bills, headed back to the Super Bowl
They’re going back.
The Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 38-24 in the AFC Championship Game.
They’ll head to Tampa Bay and play ... Tampa Bay there. The Buccs are the first team to play in a Super Bowl inside their home stadium.
Brady. Mahomes.
What more could you want?
Mahomes to Kelce once more, and Chiefs are rolling
They’re closing in on it now.
Patrick Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce wide open for a 5-yard touchdown, and the Chiefs are leading the Bills 38-15 with just 7:36 remaining.
Chiefs’ Rashad Fenton intercepts Josh Allen
Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the red zone, ending a promising job. After his 30-yard return, the Chiefs will set up at their own 42, already holding a 16-point lead, with just 13 minutes left.
Score: Chiefs 31, Bills 15
Mahomes to Kelce for a TD, and the Chiefs lead by 16
The trusty connection.
Patrick Mahomes shoveled a pass to Travis Kelce for a 1-yard touchdown, expanding the Chiefs’ lead to 31-15 with 3:29 to go in the AFC Championship Game. It’s the 11th catch of the day for Kelce.
The key play to the drive: Mahomes with a quick slant to Tyreek Hill, who weaved through the secondary for a 71-yard gain.
Mahomes is nearing 300 passing yards before the third quarter is completed.
Score: Chiefs, 31, Bills 15
Butker drills first FG attempt
Harrison Butker missed two kicks last week, but he’s perfect so far today.
After making three extra points, Butker drilled his first field goal attempt from 45 yards out, capping the Chiefs’ opening drive of the second half.
Score: Chiefs 24, Bills 12
Chiefs take halftime lead into locker room
It started shaky, but the Chiefs dominated the Bills in the second quarter to take a 21-12 halftime lead in the AFC Championship Game.
The Chiefs will get the ball first in the second half.
For halftime analysis, check out Blair Kerkhoff’s breakdown.
Chiefs expand lead against Bills on Clyde Edwards-Helaire TD
Make it 21 straight.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire scored on a 1-yard run, and the Chiefs have scored three consecutive touchdowns since falling behind 9-0.
Score: Chiefs 21, Bills 9
Chiefs take lead on Darrel Williams touchdown
The Chiefs have their first lead.
Darrel Williams scored on a six-yard dive midway through the second quarter, giving the Chiefs a 14-9 advantage over the Bills.
Mecole Hardman set up the short field with a 50-yard rush on an end-around, the longest rush in Chiefs postseason history.
Score: Chiefs 14, Bills 9
Hardman bounces back from dropped punt, puts Chiefs on board
Mecole Hardman made the game’s first mistake.
Then he scored the Chiefs’ first touchdown.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes whipped a wide receiver screen to Hardman, who found the end zone for a three-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the second quarter.
Score: Bills 9, Chiefs 7
Hardman fumbles punt, leads to Bills TD
If the Chiefs advance to a second straight Super Bowl, it require some of last year’s comeback magic.
Mecole Hardman dropped a punt return, and the Bills took advantage, scoring one play later on a pass from Josh Allen to tight end Dawson Knox.
The Bills missed the extra point, but the lead is now two scores.
Score: Bills 9, Chiefs 0
Bills strike first with field goal
The Bills are on the board first.
But the Chiefs limited the damage.
After the Chiefs deferred the first-half kickoff, the Bills opened with a 9-play drive but settled for a field goal. Tyler Brass split the uprights from 51 yards out, the longest field goal in Arrowhead Stadium playoff history.
Score: Bills 3, Chiefs 0
Mahomes returns
Patrick Mahomes will start at quarterback for the Chiefs after he was knocked out of the AFC Divisional Round win over Cleveland last week.
Mahomes was placed in the concussion protocol after absorbing a hit while running with the football in the third quarter the 22-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns. He practiced all week however, and said Friday he was out of the concussion protocol.
Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (hip, ankle) is dressed but Le’Veon Bell is inactive.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) is also inactive, as well as rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (ankle), defensive end Tim Ward, rookie cornerback BoPete Keyes, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and offensive lineman Yasir Durant are inactive.
This story was originally published January 24, 2021 at 5:25 PM.