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Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen: History of the NFL's new quarterback rivalry

Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY
·4 min read
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The latest chapter of the Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen rivalry did not disappoint when the two faced off in the AFC divisional round of the 2023 NFL playoffs.

The two stars already had an established history with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Although they are fierce competitors on the field, they have established a friendship off of it. They even played golf together in The Match where they lost to Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

The Chiefs drafted Mahomes, a two-time All-Pro, with the No. 10 overall draft pick in 2017 out of Texas Tech, while the Bills picked up Josh Allen, a two-time Pro Bowl selections, from Wyoming as No. 7 overall in the draft a year later.

With the exception of Allen's rookie year, both have taken their teams to the playoffs every season they've been the starter. Mahomes has won two Super Bowls for Chiefs Kingdom and Allen is still trying to bring Bills Mafia its first Lombardi Trophy.

Here's everything to know about the Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen rivalry:

How many times have Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen faced off in the NFL?

Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have met seven times in their NFL careers: four regular-season games and three playoff games.

The first matchup against each other was a regular-season game during the 2020 campaign. The Chiefs won the road game, 26-17, in prime time. Both quarterbacks threw two touchdowns and Allen threw an interception.

Their most recent regular-season faceoff was this year in Week 14. The Bills took the victory at Arrowhead Stadium, 20-17. On the Chiefs' final drive, an offsides penalty on Kadarius Toney wiped out a Travis Kelce touchdown, securing the Buffalo win.

Josh Allen hugs Patrick Mahomes after a game at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022.
Josh Allen hugs Patrick Mahomes after a game at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022.

How many times have Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen faced off in the playoffs?

The two star quarterbacks have faced off three times in the playoffs, the most recent being the Chiefs' 27-24 win at Orchard Park, N.Y. in the 2023 AFC divisional round.

They first met in the AFC championship game in Kansas City after the 2020 season. The Chiefs won 38-24 behind three touchdowns from Mahomes.

The quarterbacks had a rematch in the divisional round of the 2021 playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won again, this time with a score of 42-36 in an overtime thriller.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen: Wins, stats against each other

Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are tied with three wins each in the six games they've played each other. Mahomes has won both playoff games.

Patrick Mahomes' wins:

  • 26-17 Week 6 of 2020 season in Buffalo (Mahomes: 21-of-26 for 225 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Allen: 14-of-27 for 122 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception)

  • 38-24 AFC championship of 2020 season in Kansas City (Mahomes: 29-of-38 for 325 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Allen: 28-of-48 for 287 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception)

  • 42-36 OT divisional round of 2021 season in Kansas City (Mahomes: 33-of-44 for 378 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Allen: 27-of-37 for 329 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions)

  • 27-24 divisional round of 2023 season in Buffalo (Mahomes: 17-of-23 for 215 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Allen: 26-of-39 for 186 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions; 72 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns)

Josh Allen's wins:

  • 38-20 Week 5 of 2021 season in Kansas City (Allen: 15-of-26 for 315 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Mahomes: 33-of-54 for 272 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions)

  • 24-20 Week 6 of 2022 season in Kansas City (Allen: 27-of-40 for 329 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions Mahomes: 25-of-40 for 338 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions)

  • 20-17 Week 14 of 2023 season in Kansas City (Allen: 23-of-42 for 233 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception Mahomes: 25-of-43 for 271 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception)

Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes celebrate during The Match VI.
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes celebrate during The Match VI.

What is the '13 Seconds' game that Josh Allen lost to Patrick Mahomes?

The 2021 divisional round game between the Bills and Chiefs secured a place in NFL playoff history because of its thrilling ending. Buffalo had the lead with 13 seconds left in regulation, but Patrick Mahomes worked his magic to a Chiefs win.

A year after being ousted by Kansas City in the AFC championship game, Josh Allen found Gabriel Davis for a 19-yard touchdown that put Buffalo up with 13 ticks on the clock left. Not to be outdone, Mahomes marched the Chiefs downfield with two completed passes and Harrison Butker kicked a 49-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.

Kansas City got the ball first and Mahomes found Travis Kelce in the end zone for a touchdown that captured the victory and broke Bills Mafia's heart for the second year in a row.

"It’s just tough, you know? To be in that moment again," Allen told the media after the game. "It sucks the way it happened, you know? We wanted to win that game. We had opportunities. Just, yeah, taking it all in, holding onto that feeling, and making sure we don’t feel like this again – back-to-back years in the same spot. It’s tough to take in."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Breaking down Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen rivalry