What we learned from Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-24 NFL playoffs victory vs. Buffalo Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs will be making their sixth straight appearance in the AFC Championship Game.

A future Hall of Fame quarterback, missed field goal and defensive stand are to thank for that.

Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass missed a 44-yard field goal wide right that would have tied it with 1:43 left, and the Chiefs iced the clock from there in a 27-24 road victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Highmark Stadium.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was stellar. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 215 yards in a low-possession affair, as KC punted it one time all game.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ defense — playing without in-game injured safety Mike Edwards and linebacker Willie Gay — had two fourth-quarter stands, including a final one that stalled the Bills on their last drive just outside the red zone.

That resulted in the Bass miss, and two plays later, an Isiah Pacheco run picked up a first down and sealed the win.

The two sides traded touchdowns for the first three possessions after halftime, with each resulting in a lead change.

Then, when the Chiefs had a chance to put things away, they made a costly mistake.

Buffalo, trailing by three, came up short on a fake-punt attempt in the fourth quarter at their own 32. On the ensuing possession, however, KC’s Mecole Hardman fumbled a handoff at the 1-yard line. The ball went through the end zone, returning possession to the Bills on their own 20.

The Chiefs trailed 17-13 at halftime, with both teams dominating with their offenses.

Buffalo did so with its running game. The Bills rushed 22 times for 124 yards in the opening 30 minutes, averaging 5.6 yards per carry while consistently pushing back the Chiefs’ front line.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen was outstanding, too. He had 51 first-half rushing yards and also made big plays under pressure, completing 14 of 19 passes while helping the Bills play keep-away from the Chiefs. He rushed for two touchdowns.

Mahomes — in the first road game of his career — was plenty impressive. He threw for 114 first-half yards on a windy night and also found Travis Kelce for a 22-yard score in the third quarter. The Chiefs went field goal, field goal, touchdown on their three non-kneeldown possessions.

Kelce finished with five catches for 75 yards with two touchdowns.

KC will face the Baltimore Ravens at 2 p.m. Central next Sunday in Baltimore.