newcam2012

I don't know if I'd go that far. Coach McD deserves plenty of blame. However, he's not the play caller here. Brady made those calls and our criticism is all after the fact. For me, the worst call was the first down call. It was far too conservative and unlikely to succeed. The Chiefs were committed to stop the first down run. I would have liked the ball in Allen's hands. Perhaps an RPO or Allen rolling out with the option to run or pass. The play to wide open Shakir was a bit unlucky and a great play by the Chiefs defender. It was a sure TD opportunity lost. On that play, you could see live Diggs streaking across the middle open by a decent margin. Romo pointed it out. That was probably the better option there. It was a safer faster pass. I think Diggs would have gotten the first down or come very close. We will never know. What's known is the Bills can't seem to get out of their own way come divisional round play football. They have fallen short year after year with Allen playing brilliantly. They should be winning these games far more than losing them. We often talk about how McD has built a winning culture in Buffalo. From a regular season stand point and a WC playoff game this absolutely rings true. Beyond that, McD has built a reputation of losing, under performing, being out coached, and falling short. He's built a culture of losing in the playoffs. Yesterday, has brought that front and center.

It was clear from the get go this game was going to be very close. The Bills punishing running was fantastic and effective yet concerning because it was clear explosive plays were unlikely. That meant the Bills would have longer drives, have to really execute, limit mistakes, and have little room for error. Much harder to build bigger leads this way. It was almost like watching a slow locomotive lumbering along. Nevertheless, it was the correct game plan. The Bills had to take advantage of Allen's legs and the weaker Chiefs run D. Keep the ball away from Mahomes. Plus, the Chiefs secondary was just too good for the weaker Bills WR core. The Chiefs offense had the answers all day and night. It was clear the Bills depleted D had little answers to stop a less than lethal KC O. Mahomes looked the part, Kelce was a problem just like many anticipated, and Pacheco ran hard. It was almost like watching a runaway train. Both teams traded punches going back and forth. Minute to minute play by play it was intense. It was fun. Just as you thought one team had the advantage the other team struck back. Going into halftime up four felt pretty good but never safe. The Chiefs came out of the gate swinging after halftime. Great adjustments and scored a TD with ease. Not even sure they broke a sweat. It was a statement drive in my eyes. It was a game changer. It was at this point, I thought KC would have a fantastic chance to win. That TD was more than 6 points. To the Bills credit they battled back. Allen made play after play. KC made adjustments to stop the run and the Bills tried to counter with throws deeper down the field. It was a cat and mouse game. At this point, I thought the Chiefs have the advantage here. Brady vs Spags and McD vs Reid. That's a pretty easy math equation to solve. You know the answer. Let's just say my confidence wasn't high. Yet, I didn't give up hope. Telling myself please Allen keep that cape on. Shakir, Diggs, Cook, Kincaid, etc be hero. Then the unthinkable happened. Just when it looked over the Bills got the biggest break any fan could imagine. For once, the football gods answered our prayers. A Chiefs football out of the end zone. Negating a sure Chief TD and all but closing the door on the Bills chances. I couldn't believe it! I couldn't believe it was overturned. I thought this was fate. It was meant to be. The football gods are with Buffalo and Allen and company would not be denied. Excited as ever yet nervous beyond belief the Bills slowly matched down the field down a measly FG. Then I thought oh no Bass is our kicker. I know we are on the same page here. Perhaps the first time this season. I thought the Bills have to score a TD and hold on for dear life. They have to play like they are in 4 down territory. little by little they inched close. Damn the two minute warning. Josh you can do this! We are at home! Feed your fans the sweet taste of victory. We are starving...Second and 8. Dang Third and 8 shi!, 4th and 8. Several blown opportunities that just can't happen. Championship teams just can't do that. As tough and gritty and resilient of a team you couldn't help but reflect back to all the McD choke jobs. 13 seconds was a PTSD flashback. It could all be close to vanishing with one big play. Out trots Bass once know and beloved as Bassomatic. That version was long gone and Bills fans likely dreaded a moment like this. Either scenario wasn't optimal. A makes was obviously vital but a future D stop was ever so unlikely as the Chiefs only needed a FG with the best kicker on the planet. Add injury to insult and we know opposing FG Ks have a 100% make rate vs Buffalo. I digress, before the kick I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. I'm sure I wasn't the only one. It was at that moment I knew make or not the Bills were about to lose once again to the Chiefs. In a moment I was stunned and in somewhat of a denial stage. How could this happen? Why did it happen? What the F just happened? In the end, it's another significant playoff loss. Another wasted opportunity. Another year of dashed hopes and unfulfilled dreams. Yes it's only football. Yes the game was entertaining and fun. That's the great part of football. However, it's another painful loss and unfulfilled goal by a long ways. The Bills organization has not been able to advance past a division round playoff game. It's uder performing by a huge margin with Allen at QB. Move after move has proven unsuccessful. There's always hope but it shouldn't be blind hope. Changes need to be made. Not small tweaks either. This team will look different next year. Not necessarily a bad thing. The coaching staff won't look vastly different. That is a bad thing...

The biggest play was a gift by the football gods when KC fumbled the ball out of the end zone. Funny how Bills fans point to the woulda shoulda but not that above mentioned play. The Chiefs should have scored a TD and sealed the win early. Let's paint a full picture.

His success this year was measured in a large part because of his early incompetence. Add it all up and it's a disappointing and unsuccessful season. At some point one and done with Allen should not be seen as a success. Seeding (beside #1) doesn't mean anything except home field advantage. You seen how that worked out.

Mahomes deserves the accolades. He went into Buffalo and beat the Bills. To imply or diminish this accomplishment is kind of crazy. Mahomes led his team to victory if that includes a Pacheco so be it. Mahomes showed the football world why he's the best QB on the planet. What Josh did is an afterthought because his team lost. He will be answering upcoming questions about why he and his team can't sustain consecutive playoff wins. The ghost is appearing on his back. The elephant is in the room. Home run. The silence tells you all you need to know. The same people will be ramming the McD walks on water narrative come next season. Denial runs deep.

Very nice post. I agree with the vast majority of your statements. You are especially spot on when it comes to McD. Zero growth when it comes playoff time. No confidence he can lead the Bills to a SB. For me it wasn't SB or bust. Maybe it should have been. Probably should be when your in year 6 or 7 of Allen. Talk about missed opportunities. Understatement of the year. Personally, I would have been ok with them going to Baltimore and losing a tough game. Going to the AFC championship game vs what been the best team in the AFC would have been not the worst loss to swallow. Ultimately it's not the goal but I likely would have seen it as progress. Maybe I'm lying to myself. A SB appearance would have been fantastic and a clear successful season. I agree with giving Allen a chance to win the game. However, I'm in disagreement with going for it on 4th and 8. It's kind of pick your poison. I think the chances of converting the 4th down was very slim. Interesting if there's a math equation or analytics that could give a clear picture. Taking into account the probability of making a 4th and 8th while taking into consideration make the FG while computing the chances of Mahomes leading the Chiefs to a game winning FG or TD. Pretty fascinating information here. I digress, while watching it live I asked myself are the Bills in 4 down territory? Truthfully, I didn't know the answer until I saw the play calling. I think the Bills could have been more prudent and tried to make a more manageable 4th and 2 or 3. It's all arm chair QBing here. I think your thoughts process absolutely applies here in a shorter more manageable 4th down. I was fine with trying to convert the FG. In my mind, I felt like the game was already lost make or missed. There's no way any Bills' fan was confident that the D could stop Mahomes and company. However, lots of things can happen. A fumble, tipped ball for an int, strip sack, etc...in essence, praying for a miracle similar to the one the Bills received minutes before. I don't know how this team moves forward with McD as the coach. His message has to be getting stale. The players belief in him has to be diminishing. Heck, the coach himself is probably lacking confidence. When is enough enough? Running it back with a poor playoff coach who has shown an uncanny ability to lose divisional games with the top 3 QB in the league hardly inspires hope and optimism. Fans should be knocking on the Pegula's door begging for a coaching change.

I haven't looked at the stats but it seems like you know them well. Wondering conversely what are the offensive stat ratings of the recent SB winners? I suspect most have a top flight offense like top 5 no less than top 10. Also, how many of the super bowl winner and runners up have what most consider an elite QB. I'd bet almost none in this modern era would be mediocre. Foles comes to mind.

Philly D got shredded in the SB. Name a dominate defense this year. You think KCs defense won them the game? Sure defense is important. You really can't win it all on offense alone. That's just not sustainable. So defense has to be emphasized too. However, this is a QB driven league with show casing offensive talent. Defenses can no longer bump and run WRs, can't hit the QB, QBs can avoid sacks by throwing the ball away, and you can't hit a WR going up to make a catch. There is no way a defense can be elite under these conditions. Today's modern day defenses are no longer elite. They are mostly bend but don't break. Have very good red zone efficiency and produce turnovers. The days of the Bears elite D, Ravens, Pitt, etc... are long gone. You will never see defenses totally taking over a game and winning it all. Football has changed.

I'm not sure why this concept is so hard for Bills fans to understand. McD isn't the answer to progress this team to a SB. How in the world people can't see it is unfathomable. Next year the talk of the media will be how the Bills can't get it done. Same with the Cowboys. Allen is the defining reason why the Bills should have reached at least one SB.

Great post!

In today's modern day football it's offenses that win football games. Defenses can lose you a game but it's virtually impossible for a defense to win games. The rules are just against defenses. There are no more elite defenses like in the past for a reason. All you need is a serviceable defense that is capable of making a big stop or two along with a possible turnover. The fastest way to get into the playoffs and win super bowls is with a franchise QB. BOOM!!! This should be a required read by all Bills fans.

You forgot to mention the gift the Bills received with the football out of the end zone. The woulda coulda conversation doesn't work here. It cuts both ways. Bottom line is the Bills lost and they are 0-3 vs KC. I ask what's going to change to make you think the Bills can beat KC or a healthy Cinci? I ask you do you think McD can lead this team to a SB appearance? Hard not to feel pessimistic right now. This is a low point for the Bills.

Sadly I know this is 100% accurate. With that said, it's reasonable to expect another playoff disappointment next year (Assuming the Bills make the playoffs). It's a staple of a McD coach. Does no mean yes?

Well said. Unfortunately, Terry P isn't listening.

The evidence suggests this is a valid thought process in the playoffs. The chatter will only get louder next year. Frankly, I'm done with McD. You think a knowledge football fan would know not to count out the Chiefs led by a future hall a famer coach, a generational QB, and a first ballot hall a game TE. Shame on you.

At least someone likes to hold the head coach accountable. Refreshing to see although not pleasant.

Bills fans just can't see the obvious. If yesterday wasn't a wake up call than I don't know what to say. The excuses will start flowing soon. The gratitude will flow like river whose damn has broken. The loyalty of critical Bills fans will be riddled with insults and derogatory comments. I've shielded them off for most of the season. Today I take no glory in the Bills loss. In fact, I get a bit more upset as the time passes. This will be another game that we fans will soon not forget. It's another epic failure added to our memory banks. Another dagger that's found out way. The chatter of the Bills not being about to get it done will grow. Why shouldn't it be a discussion. Failure year after year after year after year. All valid points of discussion. Many Bills fans will try to elude the obvious truth and add in pointless excuses. The blind truth cannot be seen by most. Perhaps, it because the great loyalty of its fan base refuses to admit failure and fatal flaws. It was on display yesterday. The Bills received a gift of a football fumble out of the end zone. A gift from the football gods. For a short time, I thought wow maybe things will be different. It's a sign that the Bills will win. Karma if you will. How foolish was that train of thought. Game on the line and the Bills absolutely lost a golden opportunity to basically close out the game. Allen who played magically up to this point lost his wand. Missing a wide open Diggs and failing to connect with a wide open Shakir in the end zone. Lastly, Bass missed the field goal try by a country mile. Not even remotely close. Can't say we didn't see this coming? We all did and it happened. The Bills are unable to get over the hump with McD as the coach. Whether it's the players, KC, choking, lack of talent, etc ...The Bills always find a win to lose in the playoffs. None of us with reasonable minds should be shocked a vulnerable KC team pulled out the win. Yet, so many Bills fans are. Yesterday should serve as a wake up call

Horseshi! here because we have a clear pattern of blunders, incompetence, and plain losing in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bill still managed to lose in an epic way. Almost come to expect it in a sickening way. The type of result we saw yesterday wasn't a one off or just bad luck. For years, the Bills have fallen woefully short of their realistic goal. This is all under the demise of coach McD. He single handlely gave the Chiefs a playoff win with 13 seconds. The have NEVER been able to recover since. Last year, his team was unrecognizable vs Cinci. Yesterday, the Bills had a huge field advantage. One we fans have waited years for. The defending champs came into our building and stoled a win. Let that sink it. It's clear the Bills are the bitc#es of the Chiefs. They own us and I don't see that changing under a McD lead Bills team. Why would anyone? McD needs to go tomorrow. There are so many good candidates that would have a great chance to further advance the Bills. McD has had his chance and he continually fails. Fails in epic ways. Please, don't give this nice guy an excuse. Hold him accountable!!!! Let's move on to a new regime that can beat KC and Cinci. It's clearer than cleaned glass that McD can't. Change is the answer! McD isn't!

100% accurate here. There's one common denominator here. Everything changed after 13 seconds. McD and the team have been unable to recover from that. Folks, changed is needed. You can't expect different results from a head coach that can't get it done. It's fools gold and we fans continue to buy it.

Poor coaching decision then?

I've made a similar statement and got roasted. Most here aren't objective enough to be critical of the team, players, coaches, and organization. I doubt this is a wake up call. The Bills will run it back with McD. The posters here in August and September will be full of optimism. It will be another super bowl appearance for sure. Some things are very predictable. One of them is the Chiefs beating the Bills in the playoffs.

Well, I certainly commend your optimism right or wrong. Maybe others can see my points of view a little more clearly too. There's always next year!

This hasn't really been talked about much. I thought a huge turning point of the game was when KC marched down the field after halftime. I said to myself I think the Bills might be in trouble. That was a huge statement drive and TD. I never felt like the Bills D could stop KC. I knew the Bills needed a TD on their last drive. There was likely no path to win if they didn't score a TD. They definitely had their chances. We know the plays. In the end, the offense fell short of executing. That sadly includes Allen who played magnificently. You know young and up and coming teams play well but often lose in the end? Just not quite there yet. They need to get more experience and learn how to win. This is how I feel the Bills are. A very good team that just doesn't know how to win past the WC round. It's more than a one off Bills fans. What's the answer to change the losing!

Not sure how any Bills can can be happy the Bills lost. Reading this just really pis$ed me off. I don't know how the Bills vs Baltimore game would have played out. I think the Bills would have done relatively well vs them.

Maybe in the future you can read my posts with a more open mind. A lot of what I say has merit. Unfortunately, today's failures verified that. It truly sucks to be right here. I even bought the homer ice cream here and predicted a close Bills win. So silly of me.