The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship after defeating the Houston Texans 23-14 in the divisional round on Saturday. Having secured a first-round bye with a stellar 15-2 regular-season record, the Chiefs entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. This marks the fifth time in the past seven years that the AFC playoffs run through Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs vs. Texans Recap
Kansas City and Houston had previously faced off in Week 16, where the Chiefs emerged victorious 27-19. They repeated their dominance in the divisional round, maintaining control throughout the game to secure their spot in the conference championship.
Who Will the Chiefs Play Next?
The Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship on Sunday, Jan. 26, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bills advanced after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in their divisional-round matchup.
This highly anticipated game will be the fourth postseason meeting between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. While Mahomes has a perfect 3-0 playoff record against Allen, the Bills handed the Chiefs their first loss of the 2025 season in Week 11, winning 30-21 in Buffalo.
AFC Championship Lookahead
- Matchup: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs Â
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 26 Â
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET Â
- Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri) Â
- TV: CBS Â
- Stream: Paramount+ Â
- Odds: Chiefs -1.5, O/U 48.5 Â
This will be the fourth playoff clash between the Chiefs and Bills in the last five seasons. The previous matchups include two divisional-round games (2021, 2023) and one AFC Championship in 2020, where the Chiefs triumphed 38-24. Mahomes recorded 325 passing yards and three touchdowns in that championship game.
While Mahomes has dominated their playoff encounters, Allen has been competitive, and their overall head-to-head record is tied at 4-4, combining regular-season and postseason games. The Week 11 victory by Buffalo showcased Allen’s ability to challenge Kansas City’s defense, setting the stage for a thrilling rematch in the AFC Championship.
A Battle of Familiar Foes
Both teams know each other well, having developed one of the NFL’s premier rivalries in recent years. Mahomes and Allen’s contrasting styles and elite-level play have fueled excitement among fans, with each game delivering memorable moments. The Chiefs, however, will aim to maintain their home-field advantage and extend Mahomes’ unbeaten playoff streak against Allen.
The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown on Sunday night as Kansas City and Buffalo vie for a spot in Super Bowl LIX.