Josh Allen did it again. Well, sort of. If you’re looking at the Bills vs Chiefs box score from their latest regular-season clash on November 2, 2025, you’ll see a 28-21 Buffalo victory that felt like a changing of the guard, even if we've heard that story before.
The atmosphere in Orchard Park was electric. Or maybe "vindicative" is the better word? Buffalo fans have watched Patrick Mahomes ruin their January dreams too many times. But this November afternoon was different. It wasn't just a win; it was a defensive masterclass that left Mahomes looking human. Actually, it left him looking statistically worse than he ever has in a professional uniform.
The Stats That Defined the Night
Let's talk about that completion percentage. 44.1%. That is the number staring back at you from the Kansas City side of the ledger. For a guy like Mahomes, who usually operates with surgical precision, finishing 15-of-34 for 250 yards is basically a glitch in the Matrix. It was the lowest completion percentage of his entire career.
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Buffalo's defense, led by a relentless Joey Bosa and a breakout performance from rookie safety Cole Bishop, didn't just bend. They bullied. They hit Mahomes 14 times. You read that right. 14 hits on the most protected asset in the NFL.
Buffalo’s Offensive Efficiency
On the flip side, Josh Allen was playing a different game.
- Completion Rate: 88.5% (A Bills franchise record)
- Passing Yards: 273
- Total TDs: 3 (1 passing, 2 rushing)
- Key Target: Dalton Kincaid (6 rec, 101 yards, 1 TD)
Allen was 12-for-12 on the three drives that resulted in first-half touchdowns. He wasn't just chucking the ball; he was dissecting the Steve Spagnuolo blitz packages that used to give him nightmares. When the Chiefs brought the house, Allen went 8-for-8. That’s growth.
A Tale of Two Run Games
James Cook is quietly becoming the engine of this Buffalo offense. While everyone focuses on Allen’s arm, Cook put up 114 rushing yards on 27 carries. He kept the chains moving and, more importantly, kept Mahomes on the sideline. Buffalo dominated the time of possession—34:45 to 25:15. You can’t score if you don’t have the ball, and Kansas City simply couldn't get it back.
The Chiefs' rushing attack was... well, it was barely there. Kareem Hunt tried his best with 11 carries for 49 yards and a score, but without Isiah Pacheco in the lineup, there was no explosive element. The Chiefs averaged under 4 yards per carry as a team. Honestly, it made them one-dimensional, and against a Buffalo secondary that was ball-hawking all night, that’s a recipe for a 5-4 record.
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Breaking Down the Scoring Summary
The game started with Buffalo asserting dominance, taking a 7-0 lead early. Kansas City fought back to lead 10-7 in the second quarter thanks to a Harrison Butker field goal, but the momentum shifted back for good when Ty Johnson capped a 70-yard drive with a 3-yard plunge.
The second half was all about the Bills' defense holding the line. Every time Mahomes tried to mount one of his trademarked "how did he do that?" drives, someone in a blue jersey was there. Maxwell Hairston, the rookie corner, snagged his first career interception off a deep ball intended for Xavier Worthy. It was the kind of play that usually goes the other way in this rivalry.
Why This Box Score Matters
If you're just glancing at the numbers, 28-21 looks close. It wasn't. The Bills outgained the Chiefs 404 to 305. They had more first downs, better third-down efficiency, and significantly fewer mistakes.
The most telling stat might be the "tush push" touchdown where Reggie Gilliam essentially launched Josh Allen into the end zone. It symbolized the entire game: Buffalo was just more physical. They wanted it more. They played like a team that was tired of being the "little brother" in the AFC.
Key Player Performances
Josh Allen: Beyond the record-setting completion percentage, Allen surpassed Cam Newton for the most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. He finished the game with 79. He’s not just a passer; he’s a 237-pound goal-line weapon.
Dalton Kincaid: This was his "coming of age" game. 101 yards and a score. He was the safety valve Allen needed when the Chiefs' pass rush got close.
Patrick Mahomes: You can't blame it all on him, but the 57.2 passer rating is ugly. He struggled against the Bills' man coverage and looked frustrated by the lack of separation his receivers were getting. Rashee Rice had 80 yards, but most of that felt like "too little, too late."
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
The Bills moved to 6-2 with this win, firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat in the AFC East. For the Chiefs, falling to 5-4 isn't a death sentence—we've seen them struggle in November and win in February before—but the lack of offensive balance is a massive red flag.
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If you're looking at the Bills vs Chiefs box score and wondering if the rivalry has shifted, the answer is "maybe." Buffalo owns the regular season. They’ve won five straight non-playoff meetings. But as any Bills fan will tell you through gritted teeth, the only box score that truly matters is the one they'll write in January.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Blitz: Keep an eye on how teams defend Josh Allen moving forward. If he continues to perfect his response to the blitz, he's virtually unguardable.
- Monitor the Chiefs' Backfield: Kansas City needs a healthy Isiah Pacheco to keep defenses honest. Without that threat, Mahomes is under too much pressure.
- Betting Trends: Buffalo is becoming a reliable "home favorite" in these high-stakes matchups, especially when the total net yards favor them as heavily as they did here (404 vs 305).
- Rookie Watch: Cole Bishop and Maxwell Hairston are names to remember. Their ability to handle the Chiefs' speed receivers without constant help changed the defensive geometry for Buffalo.