KANSAS CITY, Mo.: Isiah Pacheco had simply spent 4 quarters dodging the Buffalo Bills, and churning his method for practically 100 yards dashing and a landing, when he was lastly in a position to have a good time the Kansas City Chiefs advancing to a different AFC championship sport.

He did it whereas dodging some snowballs from the followers.

That most likely wouldn’t have occurred inside pleasant Arrowhead Stadium, the place the Chiefs had performed all their playoff video games the earlier 5 seasons, together with their wild-card win over Miami earlier this postseason.

But they have been lastly compelled onto the street for the divisional spherical final weekend, and so they proved they have been as much as the problem in a 27-24 win over the Bills.

“We appreciated them throwing snowballs. That was enjoyable,” Pacheco said Wednesday. “It comes with the game. We love playing in that environment. You have to love that, going there with one goal and coming out with the goal you went with.”

The Chiefs will face an identical setting Sunday, once they go to Baltimore to play the Ravens for a spot within the Super Bowl.

It would be the first time in six years the AFC championship shall be determined someplace apart from Kansas City, the place Patrick Mahomes and Co. have been so profitable over time. And will probably be the primary time the Chiefs hit the street for a convention title sport since Jan. 23, 1994, when Joe Montana was the quarterback and so they misplaced 30-13 in Buffalo.

“I didn’t suppose a lot of happening the street, that it will be a lot totally different. We do it throughout the season,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “It was a great environment up there (in Buffalo) to play, even though they were against you. It’s really football right there, and they love their team, and they’re passionate. It’s a great environment. That’s the way I look at it.”

That’s the best way Mahomes seems to be at it, too.

One of the favored storylines heading into final weekend involved the truth that Mahomes had by no means performed on the street within the postseason.

Now, the headline has modified to this: Mahomes has by no means misplaced on the street within the postseason.

“I really like Arrowhead Stadium,” he said, “but it’s always fun when you come together as a team and really be like, ‘It’s you all versus everybody,’ and you get the win. It’s always great to be in great environments and find a way.”

The Chiefs have discovered a method earlier than, although it’s a must to return within the report books. the earlier time they received on the street within the postseason to achieve the Super Bowl was Jan. 4, 1970, once they beat the Raiders 17-7 in Oakland within the AFL championship sport; they proceeded to beat the Vikings for what could be their solely Super Bowl title for 5 many years, till Reid and Mahomes got here alongside.

They additionally received in Buffalo on Jan. 1, 1967, within the AFL championship sport to achieve the primary Super Bowl, the place they misplaced to the Packers of Vince Lombardi.

Winning a convention title sport on the street is hardly a straightforward endeavor, although. Home groups are 35-18 in NFC title video games and 36-17 within the AFC championship sport, the place the Chiefs went 3-2 prior to now 5 that have been performed in Kansas City.

But the Chiefs additionally is likely to be constructed for profitable away from dwelling. They have skilled gamers in Mahomes, tight finish Travis Kelce and others, and an skilled employees led by Reid, who additionally coached Philadelphia to 5 NFC title video games. Their expertise was evident by three gamers that have been chosen first-team All-Pro: left guard Joe Thuney, cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive sort out Chris Jones. And a lot of these gamers have been enjoying alongside one another for years.

All of these elements assist to clarify why the Chiefs have been 6-2 away from dwelling throughout the common season — they have been simply 5-4 at Arrowhead Stadium — and why they so relish the chance to play spoiler in another person’s dwelling.

“It’s vital for us,” Pacheco admitted. “It means so much when you have to go to another environment with a 53-man roster, understand it’s y’all against the city, and when you come out successful, it means a lot. Shows how hard we’ve been working.”

NOTES: Pacheco (toe) didn’t apply Wednesday, although his damage is just not thought-about severe sufficient to maintain him out of the sport. … Thuney (pectoral pressure) didn’t apply and seems a protracted shot to play. Versatile veteran Nick Allegretti would take his place. … FS Mike Edwards remained within the concussion protocol, which may imply rookie DB Chamarri Conner will get the beginning in his spot. … RG Trey Smith didn’t apply Wednesday due to an sickness.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl