‘“I think it’s maybe changed since I’ve gotten into the league,” Allen said, referring to his demeanor on a playoff week when he first led the Bills to the playoffs, in 2019. “Early on it was maybe anxiousness and eagerness. And while that’s maybe still there a little bit, but also gratefulness to be back in this situation of having a chance to play in the Super Bowl. But obviously, you’ve got to go put in the work and not cheat it and put your best foot forward to give yourself a shot.”’
Archives for January 23, 2025
Ryan O’Halloran: Patrick Mahomes knows his best will be required in latest duel against Josh Allen
‘“I’ve played against Josh enough times to know he’s going to come out and play great football, especially in those big moments,” Mahomes said. “For me, I have to play my best when I get the opportunity.”’
Bills notes: Amari Cooper eager for first conference title game; Injury report
‘In his 10-year career, Cooper has reached the playoffs five times. He’s played in seven total playoff games, with his previous furthest advancement in the 2018-19 season with the Dallas Cowboys. Then, he and the Cowboys made it to the divisional round, where they fell 30-22 to the Los Angeles Rams.’
Alan Pergament: Why Josh Allen and the Bills have a ‘gigantic, surging national following’
‘Josh Allen is arguably the most beloved and likable athlete in Western New York history as he attempts to erase the demons and get the Bills back to the Super Bowl for the first time in more than 30 years. But you really need to get away from the Buffalo area to appreciate just how that likability has transformed the Bills from a national laughingstock that didn’t make the playoffs for 17 straight seasons into a team whose fans include broadcasters who are not supposed to have a rooting interest.’
Buffalo Bills injury report: Updates on key defenders worrisome
‘The team’s best cornerback, Christian Benford, remains in concussion protocol; perhaps its best linebacker, Matt Milano, is battling hamstring soreness; and its best safety, Taylor Rapp, has a hip injury.’
Matt Milano update: Bills star linebacker has sore hamstring ahead of AFC title game vs. Chiefs
‘The hamstring issue comes at a horrible time for the Bills and Milano, who has played excellent football in the past two playoff games. He made several important plays against the Ravens, including a pass breakup on Lamar Jackson’s two-point conversion attempt in the third quarter of Buffalo’s 27-25 victory.’
Why Peyton Manning hopes that this is the year Bills’ Josh Allen wins it all
‘“Josh, kind of like Lamar, I hate it because both of them can’t make it to the Super Bowl this year and I feel like both of them deserve to go,” Manning told Clark. “And people are going to say about one of them, ‘Eh, they can’t do it.’ I mean I lived that world, right? My first eight years, that’s what I lived, right? I know Josh hears that from time to time. ‘He does these great things, but…’ I’d love for him to get rid of the but and I’d love for him to get down to New Orleans… Both he and Lamar deserve that chance to play in the Super Bowl.”’
Updates on Milano, Benford, Rapp following Bills’ first day of practice leading into AFC title game
‘Linebacker Matt Milano (hamstring) was a limited participant, as was cornerback Christian Benford, who continues to work through the concussion protocol. One player missed Wednesday’s practice, which was a walk-thru, as safety Taylor Rapp has yet to return to action since being carted off the field due to a hip injury sustained against the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday.’
Bills run game riding a stop-us-if-you-can approach to the doorstep of the Super Bowl
‘“Joe just does such a great job of presenting a similar picture to the defense that ends up being very different,” said Edwards, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021. “So it could be one of multiple things that a defense has to prepare for. And I would even say from the start of this year to now, the run menu has expanded.”’
Bills WR Amari Cooper putting wins over production in first trip to an NFL championship game
‘“I’m very satisfied,” Cooper said Wednesday. “I’ve never been this far in the playoffs. Obviously every receiver wants to have 10-20 catches a game. But that’s not always how the cookie crumbles. And it’s not always the most beneficial thing for the team, force-feeding one guy the ball just for the sake of that. Winning is obviously way more important.”’
Buffalo Bills Mafia raises over $70Gs for rival player’s charity
‘Well, to say that the goal has been achieved would be a wild understatement.’
Thursday’s Kansas City Coverage
NFL officiating under scrutiny after flags for Texans’ hits on Patrick Mahomes (Washington Post)
Patrick Mahomes responds to NFL refereeing favoritism allegations after questionable penalties (New York Post)
Patrick Mahomes could force NFL to create flopping rule — with one play being scrutinized (New York Post)
Patrick Mahomes sends poignant message to ‘legend’ Travis Kelce ahead of AFC Championship as retirement questions loom (New York Post)
Travis Kelce reacts to Lil Wayne accusing the Kansas City Chiefs of ‘cheating’ against Houston Texans in playoff game (New York Post)
Andy Reid and the Chiefs are chasing history, but the Bills and two former Utes stand in the way (Salt Lake City Deseret News)
NFL’s most hated? Chiefs are stirring plenty of contempt in Super Bowl three-peat push (USA Today)
Chiefs, Bills know each other well. DeAndre Hopkins could be X-factor for Super Bowl bid (USA Today)
Patrick Mahomes on whether NFL officials favor the Chiefs: ‘The referees are doing their best’ (AP)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has grown and matured over the years, both on and off the field (AP)
Patrick Mahomes addresses flopping and referee favoritism allegations after outrage over penalties (Fox News)
Travis Kelce refuses to speak about penalties against Texans for hits on Patrick Mahomes as fans rage (Fox News)
Ravens star pleads for somebody to beat Chiefs: ‘We can’t let them keep getting away with this’ (Fox News)
Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend says she would ‘love’ for Bills to beat Chiefs (Fox News)
Chiefs Superstar Travis Kelce Has Dominated Bills In The Playoffs (Forbes)
Patrick Mahomes disagrees Chiefs are getting favorable calls (ESPN)
Chiefs’ absurd penalty streak in playoffs does little to dispel notion that referees favor Kansas City (CBS Sports)
Patrick Mahomes on perception of Chiefs’ preferential officiating treatment: Players decide games, not calls (CBS Sports)
Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey is rooting for anyone to beat the Chiefs: ‘Can’t let them keep getting away with this’ (CBS Sports)
Why all the hate for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs is only making them stronger (Fox Sports)
Bills’ Von Miller Compared Patrick Mahomes to Kobe Bryant Ahead of AFC Championship (SI)
Shocking ESPN Graphic Shows Just How Much Refs Have Favored Chiefs in the Playoffs (SI)
Stephen A. Smith: Patrick Mahomes Threepeat Would Cement Him as Greatest QB Ever (SI)
Patrick Mahomes Had ‘Awesome’ Reaction to Caitlin Clark Watching Chiefs’ Playoff Game (SI)
Patrick Mahomes Candidly Addressed Controversial Calls in Chiefs’ Win vs. Texans (SI)
Chiefs Super Bowl hero, Pro Bowler not expected to return for playoff run (The Sporting News)
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes addresses flopping allegations: ‘… I probably shouldn’t have done that’ (The Sporting News)
‘I have to play my best football’: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes prepares for AFC Championship rematch vs. Bills (KHSB-TV)
‘We’ll cook our Buffalo meat’: KC Buffalo Co. cashes in on Chiefs-Bills rivalry (KHSB-TV)
Chiefs are four quarters away from NFL history (KCTV-TV)
Reid: Chiefs won’t activate Hardman due to knee injury (KCTV-TV)
Bills Pro Bowl LB Matt Milano among those limited in practice for AFC Championship Game (KCTV-TV)
Andy Reid named AFC Coach of the Year, winningest NFL coach in history (KCTV-TV)
Patrick Mahomes on whether NFL officials favor the Chiefs: ‘The referees are doing their best’ (KCTV-TV)
Mahomes on possibility Kelce retires: ‘Appreciate every time on field with him’ (KCTV-TV)
Fans expected to travel nearly 550 miles to watch AFC Championship in KC (KCTV-TV)
Siblings wager charity donation on Chiefs-Bills AFC Championship Game outcome (KCTV-TV)
Andy Reid named AFC Coach of the Year for annual NFL 101 Awards (KDAF-TV)
Kansas City artists craft Arrowhead Stadium replica made from cake (KDAF-TV)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid earns AFC honor (KMBC-TV)
Mahomes on controversial calls in Chiefs-Texans: ‘There were a lot of other plays that really decided the outcome’ (KFNZ-FM)
Reid, Mahomes Quotes: Jan 22 (WHB-AM)
AFC Championship Injury Report | Chiefs vs. Bills (Chiefs.com)
Bills fans create $60,000 charity fundraiser to support Ravens TE Mark Andrews
‘Over the last few days, the Bills fan community has come together to raise over $60,000 (at the time of writing) for Breakthrough T1D, a non-profit organization devoted to Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy and a charity that Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has supported in the past.’
Amari Cooper finds satisfaction with Bills, trading personal production for team success
‘“I’m very satisfied. I’ve never been this far in the playoffs,” Cooper said following practice Wednesday as the Bills prepare to play the top-seeded and two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.’
Bills fans raise nearly $80,000 for charitable cause of Ravens’ Andrews after dropped 2-point try
‘In a matter of 24 hours, Howard went from being in the stands, cheering the Bills to a 27-25 win over Baltimore in a divisional playoff on Sunday, to starting the fundraiser. He did so in response to Andrews being the focus of criticism, including receiving death threats, on social media in the aftermath of him losing a fumble and dropping a potential game-tying 2-point conversion with 1:33 left.’