The AFC divisional round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills ended on a frosty note at Highmark Stadium, with Buffalo fans hurling snowballs in the direction of Patrick Mahomes.
The disappointing scene came as the Chiefs secured a 27-24 victory at Orchard Park.
Video footage from the stadium captured Bills supporters targeting Chiefs quarterback Mahomes with snowballs as he made his way toward the tunnel. The frustration among Buffalo fans might have stemmed from the fact that Mahomes has now led the Chiefs to three playoff victories over the Bills in the last four years.
Another possible source of frustration for the Bills faithful could have been the sight of Taylor Swift celebrating as her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, scored twice in this playoff thriller.
Alternatively, the snowball barrage may have been a manifestation of the collective disappointment in the wake of a missed opportunity. Tyler Bass, the Bills' kicker, failed to convert a crucial 44-yard field goal attempt with just 1:47 left in the fourth quarter, which could have leveled the game at 27-27.
This missed field goal brought back haunting memories of Super Bowl XXV, when Scott Norwood missed a wide-right 47-yard field goal attempt with a mere eight seconds remaining, allowing the New York Giants to snatch a 20-19 victory and secure their first Lombardi Trophy.
For the Bills faithful, the loss marked yet another postseason heartbreak, while the Chiefs find themselves just one win away from the Super Bowl once more.
Although Mahomes - a two-time Super Bowl champion - has been at the helm of the Chiefs for six seasons, this year's AFC Championship will be different. It will be the first time Mahomes and the Chiefs have had to play away from home, facing the Baltimore Ravens, who triumphed 34-10 against the Houston Texans on Saturday.
The AFC Championship showdown between the Ravens and the Chiefs on Sunday, January 28, will determine who advances to Super Bowl LVIII.
Buffalo's snowy weather conditions, resulting from multiple blizzards in recent weeks, provided a unique backdrop for the game, with ample snow in the stands. This unusual setting, coupled with the high-stakes game, created an atmosphere where some Bills fans couldn't resist the urge to engage in a snowball showdown.
Elsewhere at the tense game, Jason Kelce stole the show as he downed beers and ripped his shirt off to celebrate his brother's winning performance.
Despite his retirement, Jason traveled to Buffalo to support his brother Travis and was expected to meet Taylor for the first time.
Their paths had nearly crossed in November when the Eagles and Chiefs faced off, but the 12-time Grammy winner was on tour, preventing the meeting. As the Chiefs continue their title defense against the Bills, Sunday's highly-anticipated game marks quarterback Patrick Mahomes' first playoff road game, excluding Super Bowls.
