Adam Teicher, ESPN Workforce Editor
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Patrick Mahomes heard the debate throughout the hour questioning whether or not the Kansas City Chiefs may just live on their first true street playoff recreation since he’s been the origination quarterback.
He and his teammates impaired it as gasoline throughout the hour and upcoming the sport, a 27-24 divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. The victory sends the Chiefs to every other street take a look at later Sunday: the AFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the Ravens in Baltimore.
“Guys took it as a challenge,” stated Mahomes, who threw simply 23 passes however for 215 yards and two touchdowns. “We just came in with the same mindset, that we’re going to come together, put our best foot forward and see if we can come out with a win. And that takes the mentality throughout the week, it takes every single play executing and we did a great job of that today and we’re able to score enough to win.”
Mahomes said he wasn’t dreading the prospect of playing his first road playoff game in raucous Buffalo; rather, he was looking forward to it. Mahomes had played once in Buffalo but never saw the place in all its glory. That game was in 2020 and played without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I used to be very excited,” Mahomes stated. “It was going to be a great environment being in here in Buffalo. I’d heard about it. Obviously I played here but not with the fans. I knew the fans were going to be rowdy, going to be hostile. But you appreciate the greatness of organizations and going in week in and week out and packing the stadium and being fans.
“I clearly love taking part in Arrowhead, however it’s cool to advance at the street for a playoff recreation and be capable of pop out to win this one.”
The Chiefs were an effective street workforce with Mahomes at quarterback and had a greater document this season clear of Arrowhead Stadium (8-2 counting playoffs) than at house (5-4).
“I think it’s that guys come together,” he said. “I really like being at Arrowhead and taking part in in entrance of that community, however whilst you’re at the street, it’s you as opposed to them, it’s you as opposed to everyone within the stadium and you’ve got to come back in combination as a workforce and the fellows do this. You noticed that within the recreation as of late.
“Via 3 quarters offensively, we had been transferring the ball up and ill the grassland, however we were given close ill within the fourth quarter and I went over to the protection and I informed them, ‘Y’all close it ill and we’ll win this soccer recreation. We’ll advance to the AFC Championship Recreation.’ And so they did. … It used to be a workforce win and that’s what you wish to have in playoffs.”
The Chiefs are headed to their 6th instantly AFC Championship Recreation. The primary 5 had been at Arrowhead.
