Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills fell just short again in another close playoff battle against the Kansas City Chiefs.
This has become a familiar narrative for them.
In a nail-biting AFC Championship Game on Sunday night, the Bills faced the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, only to see Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs secure a 32-29 victory in the final moments. Allen and his teammates, despite their determined efforts, were left to watch as their rivals celebrated yet another postseason triumph.
For the fourth time in five seasons, the Bills found themselves eliminated by the Chiefs.
“To be the champs,” Allen remarked after the game, “you have to beat the champs.”
As the Chiefs prepare to head to New Orleans in pursuit of a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory, the Bills will return to Buffalo, contemplating yet another missed opportunity to reach the championship game for the first time since January 1994.
“They played as a team,” stated Bills coach Sean McDermott. “They gave everything they had.”
But once again, it simply wasn’t enough.
Allen showcased his skills, leading the Bills down the field in the second half, responding to every Kansas City score with determination. He ended the game with 237 yards passing and two touchdowns, all without an interception. His touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel with just under four minutes remaining tied the game at 29, giving Buffalo a glimmer of hope.
However, the Bills’ defense, missing key players like Taylor Rapp and Christian Benford due to injuries, couldn’t make a crucial stop. Mahomes expertly maneuvered the Chiefs into position for Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal.
As is typical under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs unleashed a fierce blitz. Allen had to scramble away from pressure, launching a desperate throw downfield that almost connected with tight end Dalton Kincaid, who narrowly missed making the catch that could have kept the Bills’ hopes alive.
With the Chiefs taking possession, they ran out the clock, ready to celebrate their victory and head to the Super Bowl to face the Philadelphia Eagles.
“We had a chance with the ball in our hands, in Josh’s hands, to win it, and we came up a little bit short,” McDermott reflected. “I thought we had a chance to catch the ball, but at the end of the day, I’m extremely proud of this football team.”
Despite winning every regular-season matchup against the Chiefs, including a victory in Week 11 this season, the Bills have yet to overcome them in the playoffs.
The Bills had other missed opportunities during the game as well.
Late in the first half, they opted for a 2-point conversion after scoring, but failed, allowing Kansas City to maintain a 21-16 lead. When they scored again on their first possession of the second half, another failed 2-point attempt left them with a slim 22-21 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Bills were driving and looking to extend their lead. After converting a fourth-and-1 with a sneak, they attempted another at the Kansas City 41, but Allen was stopped by Nick Bolton at the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs seized the moment, driving down the field for a go-ahead touchdown.
Every play counted in this tightly contested game, highlighting the razor-thin margins that define playoff football.
