With the conference championships upon us, here's how I can best describe my anxieties leading up to the fourth straight playoff matchup with the Buffalo Bills: the faux flinch you show to your younger sibling when they threaten you with a makeshift weapon. You see the threat exactly for what it is, nothing more and nothing less.
The Buffalo Bills fully transformed their offensive philosphy when they fired Ken Dorsey last year. Joe Brady, despite building his name with the passing attack of the 2019 LSU Tigers, implemented more of the rushing attack via James Cook instead of relying on their quarterback's legs for yards in that respect. My fear of the Bills, or lack thereof, is slightly disrespectful, but it is their fault.
In its attempts to craft the perfect Chiefs-beater, Buffalo handcuffed their most dangerous threat. Josh Allen mostly eliminated turnovers in 2024, similar to what he did in the 2023 divisional round game, which is a phenomenal development. The rushing attack and diversification of receiving talent have helped Buffalo, but what beat Kansas City was the 6'5", 240 lb. rocket to the end zone. You don't get that guy when he's not allowed a pick (or two) through the course of a game.
Allen has this ability to overwhelm himself and his opponents, creating memorable moments for all. Against the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, the first Buffalo drive involved an (illegal) lateral that was no doubt impressive but also caused a penalty setting the team back. In Allen's final stand before a missed field goal, he tossed a ball that nearly became a back-breaking interception and fumbled another that would've shattered dreams if a teammate hadn't fallen atop it.
Overall, the Bills don't scare me because they are too afraid to scare themselves.
There is one other nonsensical reason that I have some fear in my soul about this weekend. This is the Chiefs' seventh straight AFC championship game appearance. After the loss to New England, Kansas City won back-to-back championships before losing to Cincy followed by another two wins. This year's result could follow in a tragic order.
The human brain is attracted to patterns. My brain is terrified of this pattern, but I will choose to believe in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid defying the laws of playoff logic as they have before.