By Darin 🏈 The Greatest Two Minutes in NFL History
On January 23, 2022, the sports world stood still as the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs turned GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium into a modern-day coliseum. What began as a heavyweight battle between two of the league’s elite quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, transformed into a statistical anomaly during the game’s final moments. In a finish that defied logic, the two teams combined for 25 points in the final two minutes of regulation—the most in postseason history. It was a game of “last team with the ball wins,” a contest so legendary it is now known simply by the amount of time that nearly wasn’t enough: 13 Seconds.
Article from Jan 24, 2022 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
A Seesaw Battle for the Ages
While the first three quarters were filled with high-level play, the fourth quarter was absolute madness. The Bills trailed 26–21 before Josh Allen orchestrated a 17-play masterpiece, finding Gabriel Davis for a 27-yard touchdown on 4th-and-13 to take a 29–26 lead.
The Chiefs responded immediately. Mahomes hit Tyreek Hill for a 64-yard catch-and-run touchdown, reclaiming the lead at 33–29 with just 1:02 remaining. Unphased, Allen marched the Bills 75 yards in just six plays, hitting Davis for his playoff-record fourth touchdown of the night. With only 13 seconds left on the clock and Buffalo leading 36–33, the game appeared over.
The 13-Second Miracle
What happened next became instant NFL lore. Starting at their own 25-yard line with three timeouts, Mahomes completed a 19-yard pass to Hill and a 25-yard strike to Travis Kelce. In just two plays and ten seconds, the Chiefs were in field goal range. Harrison Butker drilled a 49-yarder as time expired to force overtime. After winning the coin toss, the Chiefs never let Buffalo touch the ball again, as Mahomes hit Kelce for an 8-yard walk-off touchdown to win 42–36.
Conclusion: A Rule-Changing Performance
The 2022 AFC Divisional clash wasn’t just a game; it was a catalyst for change. The heartbreaking nature of Buffalo’s loss—never getting a chance to respond in overtime despite Allen’s near-perfect performance—led the NFL to amend its postseason overtime rules the following season. Though the Bills left Arrowhead in tears, they were part of a game that many analysts consider the greatest playoff matchup of the 21st century.
Game Highlights
- Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs 42, Buffalo Bills 36 (OT)
- Historic Finish: 25 points scored in the final 2 minutes of regulation.
- Gabriel Davis Record: First player in NFL history with 4 receiving touchdowns in a single playoff game.
- Dual-Threat Dominance: First game where both QBs had 300+ passing yards, 3+ TDs, and 50+ rushing yards.
- The “13 Seconds” Drive: Mahomes went 44 yards in 2 plays with 0:13 remaining to force OT.
