The Lions’ Jared Goff just confirmed his departure in…

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills in another thrilling play-off game, keeping them on track to make it to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years.

The divisional round game on Sunday was much-awaited since the AFC rivals delivered a play-off classic two years prior, with the Chiefs emerging victorious 42-36 in overtime.

And the rematch lived up to expectations, with a nerve-wracking quarterback battle between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes until the defending champs hung on for a 27-24 victory.

Kansas City has eliminated the Bills from the playoffs for the third time in the last four years, and they did it in Buffalo this time.

With their sixth consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship game, the Chiefs are aiming to make NFL history by being the first club to win back-to-back crowns since the 2003 and 2004 campaigns.

The Detroit Lions, who had earlier defeated the Tampa Bay Bucs 31–23, earned a trip to the NFC Championship game for just the second time.

On Sunday, they and the Chiefs will each visit the team with the best record in their conference. Kansas City will play the Baltimore Ravens at 20:00 GMT, while Detroit will play the San Francisco 49ers at 23:30.

Before their most recent game, people wondered if Mahomes and Allen might become rivals similar to those of renowned quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. After their spectacular 2022 game, Mahomes and Allen were anticipated to play each other many more times in the postseason.

Given the Chiefs’ recent dominance, Allen had his finest opportunity yet to defeat his off-season golf friend in the playoffs. After all, Mahomes’ 16th play-off game was his first away from home.

Although 27-year-old Allen ran for two scores in Buffalo’s 37 minutes of possession—14 more than the visiting team—Mahomes made the most of his passing opportunities, finding Travis Kelce for two touchdowns and 215 yards.

Following a cautious beginning, Allen found the end zone for the first time in the second quarter, and the Chiefs’ second field goal brought the score to 10-6.

The following twenty minutes saw five different quarterbacks exchange the lead. Kelce started the sequence with a 22-yard touchdown after leaping into the corner, and shortly before halftime, Allen scored to give the Bills a 17–13 lead.

With only three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Mahomes, 28, led the Chiefs downfield and back into the lead with a score from Kelce. With this play, the duo surpassed both Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady in the record book for most play-off touchdown hookups (16).

Isiah Pacheco charged over to put the Chiefs ahead early in the fourth quarter after Allen had completed a drive that lasted over eight minutes with a 13-yard laser to Khalil Shakir.

Buffalo mishandled the ball on downs, setting up a suspenseful conclusion, and Mecole Hardman of Kansas City fumbled while reaching for the end zone.

With fewer than two minutes remaining, Buffalo was relieved that the Chiefs were unable to recover an Allen fumble, and the Bills continued the drive to set up a 44-yard field goal try.

However, Tyler Bass missed the attempt wide right, much like Scott Norwood did when the Bills lost the first of four consecutive Super Bowls in 1991. The latest setback to the Bills in Kansas City prolongs their absence from the NFL championship game.

The Ravens and 49ers triumph to advance to the conference championships.

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The Lions only make it to the NFC Championship game twice.

Media caption: Detroit Lions defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL Playoffs—highlights

The Lions are one of just four teams to never participate in the Super Bowl. Detroit, like the Bills, has won several NFL titles, but all of those were before the 1967 Super Bowl.

Last week, Detroit hosted its first playoff game in thirty years, and the long-suffering Lions supporters rejoiced over their team’s first play-off victory in thirty-two.

That guaranteed another home game against the unstoppable Buccaneers, an in-form club, in the divisional round.

Another thrilling night in Motor City saw defenses dominate for the most of it. Josh Reynolds’ touchdown was negated by Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton touchdown, making the score 10-10 at the half.

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Three punts opened the third quarter before former top selections in the draft, quarterbacks Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield, found their rhythm.

The Lions’ Craig Reynolds plowed into the end zone from a yard out, but the Bucs answered when Baker Mayfield found Rachaed White for a 12-yard touchdown.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Detroit took the lead again thanks to a 31-yard charge into the corner by Jahmyr Gibbs, and they had breathing room after Amon-Ra St. Brown’s score.

With two minutes remaining, Tampa Bay struck back immediately when QB Mayfield found Mike Evans to keep the game alive. However, Detroit secured the victory when linebacker Derrick Barnes intercepted Mayfield, the QB’s second pick of the contest.

After leading the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl in 2019, Goff, who ended up with 287 passing yards and two touchdown passes, now has the opportunity to play in his second Super Bowl.