Thurman Thomas is assured the Buffalo Payments can beat the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the playoffs. The Corridor of Fame operating again is greatest recognized for his 12 years with the Payments, successful the 1991 NFL MVP and serving to lead the franchise to a report 4 consecutive Tremendous Bowl appearances.
Whereas the Payments will clearly have to fret first about beating the Baltimore Ravens within the Divisional Spherical of the playoffs on Sunday, Thomas thinks they “can do it” and beat the Chiefs in Kansas Metropolis within the AFC Championship Recreation.
“I believe with the Payments coming in, I believe they will do it,” says Thomas in a one-on-one interview of a possible AFC Championship Recreation with the Chiefs. “I actually assume that the staff within the final couple of years have given the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs issues within the playoffs. I do know we have misplaced a few video games to them, however the whole lot has been shut. One play there, it may have went our approach.”
Payments-Chiefs have plenty of latest historical past
The Josh Allen-led Payments have gone 0-3 in opposition to the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs within the playoffs in recent times. That features an AFC Championship Recreation loss throughout the 2020 season and two one-possession losses to Kansas Metropolis within the Divisional Spherical throughout the 2021 and 2023 seasons.
Nevertheless, if there is a saving grace for the Payments it is that they’ve proven the power to beat the Chiefs, having handed Kansas Metropolis their one true loss this season with their starters within the lineup. Moreover, the Allen-era Payments have gone 4-1 in opposition to the Chiefs within the common season. In different phrases, Buffalo has defeated Kansas Metropolis within the common season, simply not when it issues most within the playoffs.
“They’ve matched up with them three prior instances within the playoffs,” says Thomas. “I believe anytime the Payments match up in opposition to Kansas Metropolis, I’ve at all times wished to present them the sting. They’ve carried out an awesome job in relation to the common season. They’ve overwhelmed the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs a few instances previously couple of years.
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“However Patrick Mahomes is constructed for the postseason,” Thomas continues to say. “This yr, they do not look good doing it, however they’re successful shut soccer video games.”
As Thomas mentions, the Chiefs might not be spectacular of their wins, however they’re nonetheless successful mainly each recreation. The truth is, Kansas Metropolis broke an NFL report this season with 16 consecutive one-possession victories and 11 total throughout the 2024 season.
As soon as once more, the Chiefs weren’t spectacular of their win over the Houston Texans as they have been outgained in each main yardage class. Nevertheless, they nonetheless gained 23-14 and superior to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Recreation with Mahomes.
Whereas Thomas acknowledges that an Allen-Mahomes face-off would probably end in one other shootout — the final three postseason video games averaged practically 64 factors per recreation — he says that the Payments ought to have “extra confidence” this time round in opposition to the Chiefs in the event that they find yourself beating the Ravens.
“I believe when Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes get collectively, it is at all times going to be a pleasant shootout,” says Thomas. “It should be a pleasant recreation. I do assume that the Payments are able to moving into that space and beating the Chiefs. The Payments could have extra confidence going into Kansas Metropolis. I believe they’ve an excellent likelihood to win.”
The Payments will host the Ravens at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday evening. A victory over Lamar Jackson and Co. would arrange one other playoff showdown at Arrowhead Stadium subsequent Sunday.