Josh Allen spent much of Wednesday downplaying the hype surrounding the Bills’ AFC East-leading showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the undefeated Chiefs, framing it as simply one of 17 regular-season games. While excitement grew outside the Bills’ facility—complete with CBS trucks setting up for the national broadcast and rumors of a possible Taylor Swift appearance—Allen took a grounded approach, emphasizing that the game’s focus was part of their broader season goals.

Inside, Allen hinted at his mindset, acknowledging the Bills’ 0-3 playoff record against the Chiefs over the past four years, including a painful 27-24 loss last January. Though Buffalo has won three straight regular-season meetings, the playoffs are where the Chiefs have held the edge. With both teams likely to secure playoff spots this season, Allen is intent on keeping Buffalo’s “everybody eats” philosophy, as the team has surged to an 8-2 record, its best through 10 games since 1993.

Media and fans might see this game as more than just Week 11, but Allen is focused on sticking with the process that’s worked so far, noting, “There’s no need to change anything.” This approach has paid off, as Allen has refined his efficiency even with slightly lower production compared to previous seasons. His 2,281 passing yards and 17 touchdowns are his lowest since 2019, yet his four interceptions are a marked improvement over last season’s 11 through 10 games.

Despite missing key players due to injuries, like rookie Keon Coleman and newcomer Amari Cooper, Allen has kept the offense effective. With just three wins needed to clinch a fifth straight AFC East title, Allen’s leadership remains steady. Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who returned to Buffalo after two years in Pittsburgh, praised Allen’s relentless offseason work, noting that he’s continuously improved his game by addressing weaknesses.

Since 2019, Mahomes leads with 181 passing touchdowns, but Allen is close behind with 174. Their head-to-head stats also reflect their competitiveness: Mahomes has 2,243 total yards and 16 TDs over seven meetings, while Allen has 2,194 yards and 20 TDs. Yet, Mahomes’ three Super Bowl titles set him apart, a difference Allen is aware of but downplays. For Allen, it’s about what he can do to propel the Bills forward, rather than focusing on comparisons.

Patrick Mahomes Suffers Surprise New Injury on Wednesday’s Practice Report

Patrick Mahomes was a new addition to Wednesday’s injury report with a hip issue, adding to the ankle injury he’s already managing. This raised mild concern about his condition heading into the Chiefs’ highly anticipated matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Despite the setback, Mahomes practiced in full, signaling no doubt about his availability for Sunday. However, after two tough, physical games, his health remains something to watch as Kansas City prepares for this critical showdown. While the Bills also have injuries, Mahomes remains the cornerstone of the Chiefs’ offense, making his status crucial.

Patrick Mahomes Listed With New Hip Injury on Wednesday’s Injury Report

Patrick Mahomes’ season has been intriguing, with Kansas City remaining undefeated despite what many would consider below his usual standard. So far, he has 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, maintaining his reputation for clutch plays but showing some inconsistency. His lingering injuries, however, could become a real concern against Josh Allen and the Bills.

Adding to this is the Chiefs’ left tackle situation, which has become worrisome. If Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris can’t provide adequate protection, Mahomes’ risk of further injury may only increase. On a brighter note, Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu have returned to practice, suggesting the Chiefs could be near full strength by the playoffs. But Mahomes’ health remains the key storyline.

Andy Reid’s game plan now needs to prioritize protecting his quarterback, making injury prevention the top priority for the remainder of the season. While a loss to the Bills would be manageable, losing Mahomes would be devastating, so Sunday’s game will be a test of this strategy.

Bills QB Allen dismisses comparisons to Mahomes by noting he’s 0-3 in playoffs against Chiefs star

Josh Allen is downplaying the hype surrounding the Bills’ highly anticipated matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the undefeated Chiefs, treating it as just another game in their 17-game schedule. Despite the excitement, which includes CBS setting up a major broadcast and speculation over a Taylor Swift appearance in Buffalo, Allen is focused on the bigger picture.

He’s aware of his head-to-head playoff losses to Mahomes, even as the Bills have won their last three regular-season meetings since 2020. Allen understands that beating Mahomes in the postseason remains the ultimate goal, as Buffalo holds an 0-3 playoff record against Kansas City over the past four years, including a close loss in January when Buffalo’s final drive came up short, and kicker Tyler Bass missed a game-tying field goal attempt.

While fans see this week’s game as monumental, Allen emphasizes a steady, “trust the process” mentality, which has helped Buffalo secure an 8-2 record, the best start for the franchise since 1993. His approach appears to be paying off, as Allen is in a highly efficient season, though his passing numbers are modest compared to previous years. So far, he has thrown for 2,281 yards and 17 touchdowns with only four interceptions, his lowest through 10 games since 2019. Part of his success this season has come from his adaptability, especially in an offense hit by injuries, with Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper missing time and a largely unproven receiver corps.

Allen’s backup, Mitch Trubisky, credits his relentless offseason work on his weaknesses, describing how Allen continues to elevate his game by addressing past vulnerabilities. Comparisons between Allen and Mahomes underscore how evenly matched they are statistically. Since 2019, Mahomes leads with 181 touchdown passes to Allen’s 174, and in seven meetings, Mahomes has just a slight edge in passing yards, while Allen has more total touchdowns.

Still, Mahomes’ three Super Bowl titles are a glaring difference, and Allen acknowledges the honor of being compared to him, though he’s focused on his contributions to the Bills. Sunday’s game will be a test for Allen and the Bills, but for him, the ultimate battle is yet to come in the playoffs, where he aims to finally get past Mahomes and Kansas City.