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- Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes leads Josh Allen in MVP odds before Sunday's matchup
Before the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills lit up Highmark Stadium in Week 9's marquee matchup, quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen delivered a moment that stole the spotlight-without throwing a single pass.
During pregame warmups, the two superstars crossed paths and shared a brief but powerful exchange that had fans buzzing across social media.
"Top level players," one fan posted on X. Another joked, "Even the turf nodded." The encounter, simple and sincere, was a reminder that even in the fiercest rivalries, respect runs deep.
Pat and Josh's stats say a lot, but not everything
Sunday's game marked the 10th meeting between Mahomes and Allen, a rivalry that's become one of the NFL's most compelling. While Allen holds a 4-1 edge in regular-season matchups, Mahomes has dominated the postseason, winning all four playoff encounters. Overall, Mahomes leads the head-to-head series 5-4.
The stakes were high. The Chiefs entered with a 5-3 record, aiming for a fourth straight win, while the Bills, at 5-2, were hungry for redemption after last season's crushing AFC Championship loss.
Kickoff was set for 4:25 p.m. ET, and Buffalo fans packed the stadium with hopes of flipping the script.
Mahomes came into the game with a league-best 17 passing touchdowns, completing 67% of his throws for 2,099 yards, plus four rushing TDs. Allen, despite playing one fewer game, boasted a 68% completion rate, 1,560 passing yards, and five rushing touchdowns of his own.
Mahomes and Allen's wordless message
But before the stats and strategy took center stage, it was the human moment between these two elite athletes that captured hearts. Fans reacted with everything from admiration to humor. "Just a dad hugging his son," one post read. Another, more cheeky, declared, "Mahomes owns the Bills."
As the game unfolded, the tension was palpable-not just for the teams, but for fantasy football players banking on Mahomes-to-Rice magic. Yet through all the hype, the mutual respect between Mahomes and Allen reminded everyone that greatness isn't just measured in wins, but in character.
In a league built on competition, their quiet handshake may have been the loudest message of all.