Madden Simulation: Chiefs-Bills in another instant classic

It’s the matchup of the year — first determined in the EA Universe.

STOP!

If you want to watch the simulation without spoilers, start the above video — or if you can’t see it, click here.

Here’s what happened in our simulation:

First quarter

The Kansas City Chiefs’ opening drive wore down the Buffalo Bills’ defense, ending with a 12-play, 78-yard march over six minutes and 41 seconds, capped by a Travis Kelce touchdown.

Patrick Mahomes converted three key third downs to keep the drive alive, with DeAndre Hopkins catching two of them and a returning JuJu Smith-Schuster hauling in the other.

The Chiefs’ defense smothered the Bills’ offense, forcing two punts.

End of the first quarter: Chiefs 7, Bills 0

Second quarter

The Bills put together a promising drive that reached the Chiefs’ 15-yard line, but a Josh Allen pass intended for Amari Cooper was intercepted in the end zone by Trent McDuffie, halting the advance.

Mahomes took a hard hit in the pocket while waiting for Kelce to shake his defender but managed to connect with him for a touchdown.

A 20-yard sack — with help from Chamari Conner and Drue Tranquill — pushed the Bills back to midfield. Despite the setback, this drive ended in a 50-yard field goal by Tyler Bass.

End of the second quarter: Chiefs 14, Bills 3

Third quarter

Facing third-and-inches at the Chiefs’ 3-yard line, the Bills nearly suffered a costly false start, but on the next play, Josh Allen connected with Cooper for a touchdown. The Bills’ offense stayed on the field for a two-point conversion, with James Cook diving into the end zone to cut the Chiefs’ lead to three points.

Rasul Douglas intercepted Mahomes and returned it deep into Chiefs territory, setting up the Bills’ offense with a third-and-goal at the 9-yard line.

Chiefs defense stepped up and held the Bills to only a field goal.

End of the third quarter: Bills 14, Chiefs 14

Fourth quarter

The Bills took their first lead of the game with another field goal by Tyler Bass, scoring 17 unanswered points against the Chiefs.

Penalties nearly derailed the Chiefs’ drive, but Mahomes worked his magic. Smith-Schuster made a sensational one-handed catch to bring the Chiefs inside the 25-yard line.

A first-down run by Kareem Hunt kept the clock rolling, followed by an Xavier Worthy touchdown to put the Chiefs back in front.

Poor clock management by the Bills led them to use their final timeout with 28 seconds remaining. A pass from Allen to Cook left the Bills without enough time to spike the ball or set up another play.