‘Good luck’: — Payments desirous to play playoff residence recreation vs. Chiefs

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In what has developed right into a historic rivalry between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Buffalo Payments, a Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs staff will play at Highmark Stadium within the postseason for the primary time.

The Chiefs did come to Orchard Park within the 2020 common season, however that recreation was performed with out followers within the stands due to COVID-19. Since Mahomes and quarterback Josh Allen have began video games, the Chiefs and Payments have met six instances, with 5 of these occurring in Kansas Metropolis.

The chance to lastly host Mahomes within the postseason and have this divisional spherical recreation performed at house is one thing that is not misplaced on the Payments.

“[Mahomes has] solely been right here as soon as. So, he is by no means been right here. Easy as that,” left deal with Dion Dawkins stated. “Pat has by no means been to the Payments’ stadium in full. … The atmosphere will likely be completely different and to not say it is in our favor, however stadium is our favor. Stadium is us. That helps us. I do not care what no person says. That is probably the most dopest feeling I’ve ever had. We’re having two back-to-back playoff video games residence. Come on now, like we get to go away and go eat wings. It is cool. So good luck.”

The Payments beat the Chiefs 20-17 at Arrowhead final month in a recreation that began their present six-game successful streak. Kansas Metropolis has gained each of the postseason conferences since 2020 — 2020 AFC Championship Recreation and 2021 divisional spherical — whereas Buffalo has gained three of 4 regular-season matchups throughout that point.

Whereas the Payments’ 2022 season did finish with a house playoff loss to Cincinnati Bengals, traditionally they’ve seen important success in residence playoff video games with a 14-2 document since 1970, finest within the league amongst groups with a minimal of 5 residence video games throughout that point.

The Payments are getting ready for this recreation within the midst of a second lake impact snowstorm hitting the Buffalo-area in per week, however have maintained a standard apply schedule on a brief week after the wild-card spherical recreation vs. the Steelers was pushed again. The staff is already asking followers to assist shovel snow out the stadium Friday for a second straight week.

“It is good to have the followers behind you. I believe little nuances, like not having to make use of silent cadences is at all times a plus,” middle Mitch Morse, a former Chiefs participant, stated. “I believe particularly with a brief week like we had, it is very nice to have this residence area benefit. However we additionally know that within the playoffs, these groups which have made it this far are used to adversity and adversarial conditions.”

This recreation will make Mahomes and Allen the fourth pair of quarterbacks to satisfy a minimum of 3 times within the playoffs inside their first seven seasons. As of Thursday, the Chiefs are three-point underdogs, per ESPN BET, the second time in Mahomes’ postseason profession that he is an underdog, becoming a member of final yr’s Tremendous Bowl.

With a win, it might mark Allen’s second AFC Championship Recreation look and Mahomes’ sixth.

“They have been on the high of the mountain. They know what it takes to get there. We have but to try this,” Allen stated. “Once more, as a competitor, as a participant to be in a scenario like that is one thing you dream about. I do know guys on this staff have been ready for this second for a very long time. To consider how far we have come even from seven, eight weeks in the past to the place we at the moment are to have a chance to host a recreation towards — they’ve gained two championships within the final couple years — you’ll be able to’t assist however be enthusiastic about that.”