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CHIEFS, BILLS SET AFC TITLE GAME RECORD WITH 57.4M VIEWERS

Mahomes vs. Allen is the gift that keeps giving for CBS and the NFL, as their latest scrap notched an all-time ratings high.
PHOTO BY JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

After conspiring to deliver the biggest regular-season ratings for a Sunday NFL game this season, the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs reconvened last weekend for what would prove to be the most-watched AFC championship game on the books.

According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Kansas City’s 32-29 win over the Bills in the conference title tilt averaged 57.4 million viewers on CBS, edging last year’s short-lived record (55.5 million, Chiefs-Ravens). The nail-biter in Arrowhead Stadium now stands as the third-biggest NFL semifinal of the modern Nielsen era, trailing only the 2010 NFC championship game (Vikings-Saints, 57.9 million viewers) and the 2012 Giants-49ers broadcast (57.6 million), both of which aired on Fox in a time before out-of-home impressions sweetened the TV ratings pot.

The rivalry between two of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks has been a godsend for CBS ever since Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes first met up in the 2021 AFC championship game. While that Chiefs’ 38-24 victory averaged a respectable 41.8 million viewers, that broadcast was only the beginning, as the following year saw the two foes scare up 42.7 million viewers in the divisional round, an overtime-enhanced figure that would be topped two years later in another divisional-round showstopper (50.4 million).

In a tune-up for Sunday’s playoff clash, the Bills and Chiefs teamed up in Week 11 to deliver the strongest non-Thanksgiving numbers of the regular season, as Buffalo handed KC its first loss of the 2024-25 campaign in front of a national TV audience of 31.1 million viewers.

While the class of the AFC had America on the edge of its collective seat during the primetime window, the early Commanders-Eagles game on Fox suffered from a comparable lack of suspense. Philly’s 55-23 deconstruction of Washington averaged 44.2 million viewers, marking the NFC’s lowest turnout since the Rams-Saints 2019 title game drew 44.1 million. Oddly enough, that earlier game was a relative barnburner, as Los Angeles fought back from a 13-0 deficit before matters were settled by a 57-yard field goal in overtime.

Per Nielsen, 58% of all U.S. TVs that were in use while the Commanders-Eagles game was underway were tuned to Fox.

Fox faced particularly rough comps with last season’s analogous broadcast, which featured the Detroit Lions’ first trip to the NFC championship game in 32 years. The Lions’ quixotic quest for a Super Bowl date scared up 56.7 million viewers, and now stands as the fourth most-watched Championship Sunday on record.

All told, deliveries for the 12 NFL playoff games were down 8% versus last season’s lineup, as the league’s media partners averaged 35 million viewers per window, which works out to a net loss of 3.1 million impressions per game. The league’s regular-season ratings held up better, with slippage confined to a 2% dip.

Of the top 20 most-watched AFC/NFC championship games on the books, seven were played after Nielsen began blending the out-of-home ratings impressions with its vanilla TV data in the fall of 2020. That more inclusive method of counting the house should give Fox a leg up on Super Sunday; not only have OOH deliveries over the last five years accounted for about 20% of all Super Bowl impressions, but the upcoming Chiefs-Eagles clash is expected to get a further boost care of Nielsen’s expanded OOH panel.

While Nielsen has yet to confirm that it has beefed up its legacy OOH reporting system beyond the 44 media markets it currently monitors, bringing its coverage from approximately 65% of all users to an even 100%, an official announcement is expected to land shortly before Super Bowl LIX kicks off in New Orleans on Feb.

- ANTHONY CRUPI

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MARK ANDRWS DIDN'T SPEAK WITH MEDIA FOLLOWING BRUTAL PERFORMANCE IN RAVEN'S LOSS

The FWAA's postgame media access policy calls for all players to be available following a cooldown period of 10-15 minutes.

Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Those wondering what Mark Andrews would have to say following his role in the Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Divisional Round are going to have to wait.

According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the three-time Pro Bowl selection wasn’t available to speak with the media following the Ravens’ season-ending defeat.

Andrews’ absence from Baltimore’s postgame availability is notable, as perhaps no other player on the Ravens’ roster — including quarterback Lamar Jackson — would have in higher demand. But unfortunately for the 29-year-old tight end, ducking reporters won’t prevent his performance in the 27-25 from being remembered for all the wrong reasons.

With 8:50 remaining the game and the Bills clinging to 24-19 lead, Andrews caught a 16-yard pass from Jackson to move the ball into Buffalo territory for a potential go-ahead score. Only rather than running toward the end zone, the Oklahoma product attempted to sidestep Terrel Bernard, only for the Bills linebacker to strip the ball before recovering the ensuing fumble.

Despite the mishap, the Ravens managed to limit Buffalo to a field game, keeping the game within a single score. And after Jackson led Baltimore on an eight-play, 88-yard touchdown drive, Andrews found himself in a position to redeem himself following his previous fumble — only to drop what would have been a game-tying two-point conversion, effectively sealing the Bills’ win.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Jackson took responsibility for his role in the loss, which included committing two costly turnovers (one interception and one fumble) in the first half. The same, however, can’t be said of Andrews, who wasn’t available to speak with reporters at either the postgame podium or in the locker room following the game.

While the circumstances regarding Andrews’ media availability — or lack thereof — aren’t totally clear, the Pro Football Writers of America’s policy on postgame access calls for “immediate access to all players for the sole purpose of conducting interviews” in both teams’ locker rooms following a cooldown period of 10-15 minutes. Absent of any other explanation, it’s reasonable to assume the 2021 first-team All-Pro simply wasn’t in the mood to talk to the media following the defeat.

If Andrews was, in fact, ducking the media due to the disappointing nature of his performance, he wouldn’t be the first NFL player to do so and he certainly won’t be the last. Still, the reality is that speaking to reporters — win or lose — is a part of the job Andrews is getting paid $7 million a year, plus incentives, to perform. And it’s an especially tough a look for the tight end when compared to Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker’s willingness to address his midseason struggles head on.

- Ben Axelrod

CHIEF CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT WITH 'UGLY WIN' OVER RAIDERS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Chiefs secured a playoff spot for the 10th straight season with their 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, but to some of the players, this clinching didn't necessarily feel like the others.

The Chiefs had to go to the wire to outlast the 2-10 Raiders, with the game being decided when Kansas City recovered a Las Vegas fumble with 11 seconds remaining. The Chiefs then ran out the clock with one snap to secure another victory.

They are 11-1, but five of their wins weren't settled until the final snap.

"It's not perfect, and we've had a lot of games this year where we didn't play the way we wanted to play,'' Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie said. "The thing about a championship team is games like this where things aren't perfect. You're thankful that you won, but you know that you've set the standard. And when we have games like this and don't feel like we've played to the standard that we've set, it's always a little disappointing, a little frustrating.''

The Chiefs can clinch a ninth straight AFC West title by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. They padded their lead over the 9-2 Buffalo Bills -- the lone team to beat them -- for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

They had many anxious moments in getting there. The Chiefs held what looked to be a comfortable 16-3 lead late in the third quarter.

The Raiders put together back-to-back touchdown drives to take the lead. The Chiefs grabbed it back with a field goal, only to see the Raiders reach the edge of field goal range at the Kansas City 32-yard-line when they fumbled in what turned out to be their eighth straight loss.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws to running back Isiah Pacheco (10).
Denny Medley, Imagn Images

"When you clinch a playoff spot, that's your first goal, to get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance to go for that Super Bowl,'' quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. "But we know we have a long ways to go. We got to continue to work to get better, to continue to be a better football team.

"It keeps you hungry. You're not satisfied with where we're at even though we're winning football games and so we know we have to get better. I think everybody in the locker room knows we have to get better, but we want to go out there and do that and prove that.''

Last week, the Chiefs survived in a similar manner against another sub-.500 opponent. They led the Carolina Panthers by 14 points late in the first half but needed a walk-off field goal to deliver one of those last-play victories.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones had two sacks, his first since Week 4. He said the Chiefs would remember the many things they did wrong against the Raiders -- allowing two long touchdown passes, his two offside penalties, yielding 434 yards -- as much as what they accomplished.

He also indicated that yet another narrow finish would be good for Kansas City.

"When you look at the playoffs, most games are close, down-to-the-wire type of games, so there's a lot we can build from this as a team overall,'' Jones said. "We're just going to keep on winning, keep on winning. You can learn a lot from winning.

"It is better to win than have a pretty loss. We'll take an ugly win, build from it and continue to get better.''

- Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff WriterCHI

BREAKING NEWS VON MILLER HANDED 4 GAME SUSPENSION ... For Violating NFL's Personal Conduct Policy

Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller was just suspended for four games ... after the NFL says he violated the league's Personal Conduct Policy.

Miller -- who won't be paid for the next month while on suspension -- will be eligible for reinstatement on October 28 ... following the team's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

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While it's unclear exactly what led to the suspension of the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer, the punishment comes almost a year after authorities issued an arrest warrant for Miller for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman -- later identified as his GF.

The woman eventually recanted her story, and the case was never pursued.

Miller always maintained his innocence, saying the allegations against him were "100% false" at a press conference in December 2023.

Of course, Von signed a six-year deal for $120 million with the team back in 2022, but it hasn't been smooth sailing for the former Super Bowl MVP.

In 2022, Miller's season was cut short due to a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. He returned in week 5 of the 2023 season but struggled to regain his Pro Bowl form.

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While his role has been limited in 2024 ... he's played better. In four games, VM has racked up three sacks and four QB hits.

Now, Von will watch the next four games from home ... while his team, 3-1, prepares to take on the Houston Texans this Sunday.

- TMZ Sports 

DOLPHINS PLACE QB TUA TAGAVAILOA ON IR AFTER CONCUSSION

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Thursday night's game after suffering the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins placed Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve Tuesday after the quarterback suffered another concussion in Thursday's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Per NFL rules, Tagovailoa must remain on injured reserve for at least four games. There is no timetable for how long Miami plans to keep him on IR as he focuses on his health before his return to the field.

It is the third diagnosed concussion of Tagovailoa's NFL career.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Monday said Tagovailoa wouldn't be placed on IR until more information became available, but the decision was made Tuesday after further evaluation.

Miami signed quarterback Tyler Huntley from the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. Per NFL rules, the Dolphins must allocate a spot on their 53-man roster to Huntley for at least their next three games.

"We got to learn firsthand a nice reminder of how it only takes one play and what you think your depth is changes abruptly," McDaniel said. "So that's a move for moving forward to secure some depth in case of the unforeseen, which is timelines for us as it relates to Tua."

Third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson will start Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks now that Tagovailoa has officially been ruled out.

Thompson did not play during the 2023 season, but he started three games as a rookie in 2022, including a playoff loss on the road to the Bills. McDaniel said the move to add Huntley "was not any direct reflection on Skylar" and was made to bolster the team's depth.

Huntley has started 10 games in his four-year career, mostly for the Ravens. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 after helping guide them to the playoffs in place of Lamar Jackson. He started Baltimore's playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I do think that it helps the dynamics of the [quarterbacks] room to add another guy with starting history to this team," McDaniel said of Huntley. "He's a guy that's a signal-caller that a team can get behind. ... I think this is more directly to back up Skylar, and then you always let competition play out when it's out on the field. But this is a depth move, for sure."

Third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson will start Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks now that Tagovailoa has officially been ruled out.

Thompson did not play during the 2023 season, but he started three games as a rookie in 2022, including a playoff loss on the road to the Bills. McDaniel said the move to add Huntley "was not any direct reflection on Skylar" and was made to bolster the team's depth.

Huntley has started 10 games in his four-year career, mostly for the Ravens. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 after helping guide them to the playoffs in place of Lamar Jackson. He started Baltimore's playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I do think that it helps the dynamics of the [quarterbacks] room to add another guy with starting history to this team," McDaniel said of Huntley. "He's a guy that's a signal-caller that a team can get behind. ... I think this is more directly to back up Skylar, and then you always let competition play out when it's out on the field. But this is a depth move, for sure."

Tagovailoa suffered the injury while scrambling up the middle for a first down and making forcible contact with his helmet to the forearm of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa immediately went into a fencing response with his arms in an unnatural position.

Medical trainers attended to Tagovailoa for several minutes as players kneeled around him. He was ultimately able to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power but was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.

The next four games will push Tagovailoa's career total of games missed due to injury to 14 since 2020. He played all 18 of the Dolphins' regular-season and playoff games in 2023.

Also Tuesday, the Dolphins announced the signing of offensive lineman Jackson Carman to the practice squad and the release of wide receiver Robbie Chosen.

- Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPN

ANDY REID AND PATRICK MAHOMES FINED A COMBINED $150,000 FOR CRITICIZING OFFICIALS, AP SOURCE SAYS

AP Photo 

Chiefs coach Andy Reid was fined $100,000 and quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fined $50,000 for criticizing officials following Kansas City's 20-17 loss to Buffalo last week, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the fines weren’t announced.

BILLS COACH SEAN MCDERMOTT APOLOGIES FOR REFERENCING 9/11 HIJACKERS IN TEAM MEETING 4 YEARS AGO

AP Photo

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — An emotional Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott acknowledged regret on Thursday for crediting the 9/11 hijackers for their coordination during a team meeting four years ago.

McDermott had cited the hijackers while stressing the importance of communication. Upon realizing how his message was being interpreted, McDermott said he called a second team meeting an hour later to apologize to his players. And he planned to do so again with his current team on Thursday, after an article posted on the Substack page of NFL writer Tyler Dunne, citing numerous unnamed sources, revealed what McDermott had said at the meeting during training camp in 2019.

“Not only was 9/11 a horrific event in our country’s history, but a day that I lost a good family friend,” McDermott said during an unplanned appearance in the Bills' media room.

“As I mentioned to the team then that I regretted and apologized for me not going a good enough job of communicating my point, I’m going to do the same with the team today,” he added. “So if there’s anyone new, they understand how important that is to me and my family because it’s an important event, a horrific event in our history.”

BILLS LINEBACKER VON MILLER FACING ARREST FOR ASSAULTING A PREGNANT PERSON, DALLAS POLICE SAY

AP Photo 

DALLAS (AP) — Police in Dallas have issued an arrest warrant for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller for allegedly assaulting a pregnant person.

According to police, a preliminary investigation of a “major disturbance” at a home on Wednesday determined that Miller, 34, and the victim got into a verbal argument and the suspect assaulted the victim, who is pregnant. They said Miller left the scene before they arrived.

The victim was treated for minor injuries and an arrest warrant was issued for Miller.

JALEN HURTS RUNS FOR WINNING TD IN OVERTIME, EAGLES RALLY PAST JOSH ALLEN, BILLS 37-34

AP Photo 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts walked off the Linc field with his arms extended in celebration as the Eagles crowd — which had booed the team off the field at halftime — went wild in appreciation for one more comeback, one more series of stupefying plays their franchise QB has made routine.

Consider one in the fourth quarter, when Hurts rolled to his left and almost seemed out of options. He stopped, spotted Olamide Zaccheaus through a crowd of defenders and threw a pass on the money for a go-ahead score.

Or even the winner, a designed run from a QB who played through a bruised knee this season and yet still dashed virtually untouched for a TD — oh, only his fifth scoring play of the game.

“He made a lot of really clutch plays in that second half,” Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said. “Then the big one, obviously, at the end.”

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