Chiefs lose possession, give Bills touchback on wild goal line fumble review

The Kansas City Chiefs found themselves on the Buffalo Bills’ three-yard line with a 27-24 lead in the fourth quarter of their AFC Divisional Playoff showdown. Having seemingly all of the momentum on their side with 12:13 remaining in the game and the opportunity to go up two scores on the road.

That was until a bizarre play happened. An end-around play was called for Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman and as he was tackled while extending for the end zone Bills safety Jordan Poyer forced a fumble that wound up being crucial.

Hardman was initially ruled down by contact, giving Kansas City the ball on the one-yard line. But after Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and the Bills challenged the play, the call was reversed, ruled a touchback with Hardman fumbling the ball through the end zone giving the Bills the ball on the 20-yard line.

Check out the review of the bizarre play below.

After review, Jordan Poyer knocks it out and it’s ruled a touchback. Huge stop for the Buffalo defense!

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The Bills were not able to capitalize on the huge change of events in their favor following the touchback, forced to punt the ball on their next drive after a three and out.

Buffalo would get one more chance at tying the game, with Bills quarterback Josh Allen leading a 54-yard drive to set up Buffalo for a 44-yard field goal attempt with 1:47 remaining in the game. But unfortunately for Bills Mafia, kicker Tyler Bass‘ attempt was no good, missing wide right resulting in the Chiefs holding onto their 27-24 lead to advance to their sixth straight ACF Championship game.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to haunt the Buffalo Bills in the postseason, eliminating the Bills for the third time in the playoffs in the past four seasons.

Allen gave his best effort, throwing for 186 yards and a touchdown while also leading Buffalo in rushing with 72 yards on the ground and two rushing scores. He also took great care of the football, with Buffalo not turning the ball over once in the entire ballgame. But Kansas City holding the Bills scoreless in the fourth quarter wound up being the biggest difference in Sunday’s showdown.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the Chiefs’ win, finding tight end Travis Kelce for both touchdown passes to set a new record for playoff touchdowns between a quarterback and pass catcher. Surpassing Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski with 16 scores from Mahomes to Kelce in postseason history.

Kansas City will visit the Baltimore Ravens for the ACF Championship next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET in a matchup airing on CBS.