Was that our easiest playoff loss to take?

[Success]

I think about the '90's, and every one was rough.  We were a better team than the Giants in '90, and should have won that game.  The other SB losses were just brutal, on so many levels.  Even later on, I thought we were better than Pittsburgh, but didn't have Bruce, and Kelly was hurt (and there were some bad calls in that one).

 

We were better than Jax 3 years ago, and better than Houston last year - and losing a 16 point lead was tough to deal with afterwards.

 

Those losses all stuck with me for a much longer period of time, and took at least a week to get over.  I'm already over KC, which I never would have guessed prior to the game. I thought we were at their level, but we're not. They're more experienced and better.  I feel like we lose that game 8 out of 10 times.

 

I also realized how one-dimensional we are right now.  Take away our pass game, and we're not beating you with the run or our defense.  I guess because of our history, I have always felt that I didn't want to get to a SB without at least a little more balance.  It almost feels like a relief, especially with Brady waiting there.

 

It also helps that it feels like this is just the start of a long run.  And we finally have an awesome QB in JA, a great GM, and excellent coaching.

 

[Big Turk]

Not really. We failed at pass pro in both games against the Chiefs while 31 other teams seemingly had no issues against them. Kinda pisses me off to be honest. You already saw what they were going to do and you struggled with it once. Had 3 months to figure it out and the same thing happened?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

No. 

[MJS]

Maybe... But it was eye opening to me just how good KC is. And it got me a little worried that even though we have a really good team, KC is not going away and it is going to be an extreme struggle to get past them.

[oldmanfan]

Reminded me of the SB against the Skins.  The Skins were dominant that  year and it would have taken a heroic effort to win.  I’m sad we lost Sunday, but I tip my hat to the Chiefs.  They are really really good.

[Orlando Tim]

For me it was by far the easiest to get over because we were playing a great team that has their best game in a long time. I also believe that Josh will be better next year and have something to look forward to next year.

[Johnnycage46]

It wasn't easy to take, but the Chiefs are on a completely different level than us and the rest of the NFL right now.  If we had lost to a team that we were clearly better than, with a trip to the SB on the line, to me that would have been way more painful.  Now, it WAS painful watching the game Sunday as it felt like death by a thousand cuts, but the Chiefs being the Chiefs for some reason softens it for me.

[May Day 10]

3 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

Reminded me of the SB against the Skins.  The Skins were dominant that  year and it would have taken a heroic effort to win.  I’m sad we lost Sunday, but I tip my hat to the Chiefs.  They are really really good.

I have told a few younger people that the game was very reminiscent of the last 3 Superbowls the Bills were in.

 

They were playing opponents who were favored.  The Bills made some noise early and gave hope.  Once the game was established they lost control of it and couldn't really compete.  4th quarter was just going through the motions waiting for the end with disappointment.

[Success]

1 minute ago, Johnnycage46 said:

It wasn't easy to take, but the Chiefs are on a completely different level than us and the rest of the NFL right now.  If we had lost to a team that we were clearly better than, with a trip to the SB on the line, to me that would have been way more painful.  Now, it WAS painful watching the game Sunday as it felt like death by a thousand cuts, but the Chiefs being the Chiefs for some reason softens it for me.

 

Agreed on all of that.  My OP wasn't clear on that point - watching the actual game was just as tough as watching any other big loss.  Very tough at the time.

 

I just think the circumstances made it easier to get over.  We're not at KC's level yet.

 

[Greg S]

I don't think anything playoff loss is easy to take as it puts you into a long offseason. If I had to pick one I would pick Jacksonville a couple of years ago. That Bills team wasn't very good but they got in at 9-7 with some help from the Bengals. I was just happy to see them get in and end the streak. I had no expectations of a playoff run that year.

[HOUSE]

 

Losing is a disease , ah, but curable

[C.Biscuit97]

1 minute ago, MJS said:

Maybe... But it was eye opening to me just how good KC is. And it got me a little worried that even though we have a really good team, KC is not going away and it is going to be an extreme struggle to get past them.

KC was on cruise control all year. KC plays to the level of their competition. We brought out the best in them. 
 

the good news is we are right there with them. A few tweaks (maybe get the game at home) and who knows.  Great, great season. 

[TheBrownBear]

The 2017 Jax game was by far the easiest to take.  We had zero chance of advancing any further if we had won.

 

This Chiefs loss is on par with the loss to the Bengals in 1988.  Team on the rise who is outclassed on the road by a really good team.  

[DrDawkinstein]

It sucked Sunday night, but I was surprised how quickly I got over it.

 

We made my preseason expectations/demands of:

1. Win the Division

2. Win a playoff game

 

Anything past that was gravy.

 

It sucks to lose, but I also think it was the next lesson this team needed to learn.

 

I'll reference this:

 

1983 - Draft Jim Kelly.

1986 - He actually starts playing for us.

1988 - Bills go to AFC Championship and lose against Bengals

1989 - Ronnie Harmon drop, lose to Cleveland in Div round of playoffs

1990 - Dominate for 4 straight years

 

I certainly hope we dont have any "Ronnie Harmon"-type early exits next year. But I do think we are setup to be successful and in the dance for years to come.

[oldmanfan]

7 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

I have told a few younger people that the game was very reminiscent of the last 3 Superbowls the Bills were in.

 

They were playing opponents who were favored.  The Bills made some noise early and gave hope.  Once the game was established they lost control of it and couldn't really compete.  4th quarter was just going through the motions waiting for the end with disappointment.

We should have won SB 1 and 4

[TheFunPolice]

I wasn't that upset, because as much as it sucked to see, the Chiefs are other worldly. 

 

The Super bowl won't even be close. Enjoy watching Brady get crushed!

 

 

Just now, oldmanfan said:

We should have won SB 1 and 4

 

Yup. #1 and #4 were there for the taking. The Cowboys fully expected to lose in #4 (for the Bills) because Aikman was so concussed he didn't know the plays. But by then the team was so tight, waiting for the crushing mistake. The pressure was enormous to win.

 

That's what makes the chiefs even more dangerous.  there's no "yeah, but" anymore. A super team like that that is tight and also confident and plays loose is pretty close to unbeatable. 

 

 

[May Day 10]

I wasnt too upset either.

 

I dont take anything for granted... but there is a reasonable expectation that the Bills have a window of at least a few years with competent people running the show.  

 

 

Also, a part of me was kind of bumming out and panicking that our 'championship' might be won during a pandemic and nobody could really go out and enjoy it.  IF they are in the AFCC game next year, it will be a lot better, (if not at Home).

[TheFunPolice]

KC is way better than they were last year. They are to the "regular season is boring" phase now. KC is going to be a problem for quite a while. 

 

We have a long, long way to go. But this season was an amazing ride!

 

 

[Realist]

Because I think we exceeded expectations this season, it was easier getting over. However, from here on in, any playoff losses or God forbid missed playoff seasons are going to be excruciating. This season raised the bar considerably for the future.

[RiotAct]

I had an easier time with the loss to the Jags in 2018 - my whole mentality (and many, many others’ too i’m sure) was that it was cool to finally be back in the playoffs.

[Success]

1 minute ago, Realist said:

Because I think we exceeded expectations this season, it was easier getting over. However, from here on in, any playoff losses or God forbid missed playoff seasons are going to be excruciating. This season raised the bar considerably for the future.

 

Without doubt, and that's how it goes.

 

Hearing Pats fans talk over the past decade, the regular season became like preseason for them. When we were already talking about the draft in November, they were talking about how they might face in the AFCCG or SB.   I saw some this past season even be glad that they could get back to celebrating and feeling good about regular season wins.

 

[BuffaloBillies]

In my mind I only gave us about a 30% chance to win.

Then we score the first 9 points and I'm thinking... we have a great chance to win now.

But once a wheel starting falling off, I figured all 4 would come off soon - and they did.

So I ended up right where I started.

 

Not so much disappointed in the loss... more the way we were helpless out there.

For instance, AZ was a heartbreaking loss... but at least the Bills played a great game.

I'd take the AZ loss over the KC loss.

[LeGOATski]

For me, yes.

 

The Bills not only got over the playoff win hump, they won a 2nd playoff game. My expectations for the season were met. 

 

There's nothing about this loss that I regret, as a fan. They had a great year and just lost to the defending champs playing at their best.

 

This is now the next hump to get over: win a championship. 

[BMWR100RT]

I expected a close game. But the team looked in trouble walking out of the locker room. KC looked like they were ready to advance. We looked like deer caught in the headlights. I've never seen our team so unprepared. Also unable to make adjustments. KC didn't do anything that should have surprised us. Yes the first 9 were nice, but you could see on KC's next possession that they were the more poised team. We were whiffing on blocks on offense and tackles on defense without backing each other up. I put that on the coaches.

I also can't help but wondering if Josh can play in a noisy environment.

 

I would have gone into the off-season feeling better if we were competitive at least a little bit. That was tough. Hopefully the experience will help if they get this far next year.

[gobillsinytown]

Old guy Bills fan here.  The absolute worst loss in team history was the first Super Bowl.  I was at a party with about 20 people and we were all crying.  

I didn't think the team had much chance to win the other three Super Bowls, so those losses were much easier to deal with because I knew going in that they were completely out matched.

Since then I've learned to just appreciate the good teams when they come along. 

I thought they had a chance to win this game, but they would have needed a lot of things to go their way and that obviously didn't happen.

Sure it sucks to see them lose, but after 40 years I try to appreciate the good times more than get upset over the bad.

[BFLO]

Yes. 

 

The 90's SB losses and the music city illegal forward pass were soul crushing and I haven't recovered and never will. 

 

The Jax game was embarrassing and made it clear we had no business being in the playoffs and made me question if McD was a good enough coach. There was no expectation for future success after that game, if anything there was more doubt. 

 

The Texans game again made me question if we deserved to be there after a cream puff schedule, was McD good enough, and was Allen good enough. And again just like after jax I had more doubts than hopes. 

 

After that loss to KC I was already looking forward to the offseason and next year. There was no bitter disappointment or doubt anymore. Allen and McD have proven they are for real and can grow. Although the AFCCG stage was too big for them this year, they've gained that experience and will be able to handle it next time. 

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

This loss has been easy to get over, but I would say the Jaguars would be the easiest. 

 

2017 I was just ecstatic we broke the drought. That was a pretty mediocre Bills team that lucked into a playoff spot. While we had a small chance of beating  the Jaguars, we had NO chance to beat the Patriots in the divisional round (let alone make a SB run). 

 

This year I have a sour taste in my mouth that we were dominated so thoroughly, but the fact it was so lopsided makes the game easy to get over (I won't be tormented by "what ifs"). 

[Motorin']

21 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

I had an easier time with the loss to the Jags in 2018 - my whole mentality (and many, many others’ too i’m sure) was that it was cool to finally be back in the playoffs.

 

yeah, that was probably the easiest loss to accept. there were 0 expectations. 

[eball]

46 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

The 2017 Jax game was by far the easiest to take.  We had zero chance of advancing any further if we had won.

 

This Chiefs loss is on par with the loss to the Bengals in 1988.  Team on the rise who is outclassed on the road by a really good team.  

 

This is dead on.  I see so many parallels between this team and the '88 team.  I just hope we skip '89 and go straight to '90.

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by eball

[skibum]

Yes and no. The game itself was easy enough to get over. The Bills had no chance. But in the aftermath, the game exposed several weaknesses on the team that will need to be addressed to get over the hump. And when you look at the roster, cap, recent top draft picks, impending contracts for star players, etc. - it's hard to see how the team is going to improve next year. 

[Success]

3 minutes ago, skibum said:

Yes and no. The game itself was easy enough to get over. The Bills had no chance. But in the aftermath, the game exposed several weaknesses on the team that will need to be addressed to get over the hump. And when you look at the roster, cap, recent top draft picks, impending contracts for star players, etc. - it's hard to see how the team is going to improve next year. 

 

In the drought, we had massive changes that needed to be made, every season.  It was almost overwhelming at times how many units on the team had to be addressed.

 

I don't see that here. We're closer to KC than we think - it's just a few upgrades here & there.  Just improving the running game and getting more pass rush will work wonders toward making us more balanced, which is what we need to be.

 

And I have 100% confidence in Beane. I'm can't wait to see what he does this offseason.

 

[B-Large]

I’d be feeling better had it been a close affair down to the end... and that isn’t any revelation...  but it wasn’t really even competitive.... that’s gonna linger for quite a while.

 

Good news is we got a dose of what the next gear looks and feels like, and that will go a long way.  
 

just something about getting physically bullied for 60 minutes... tough to digest. 

29 minutes ago, BuffaloBillies said:

In my mind I only gave us about a 30% chance to win.

Then we score the first 9 points and I'm thinking... we have a great chance to win now.

But once a wheel starting falling off, I figured all 4 would come off soon - and they did.

So I ended up right where I started.

 

Not so much disappointed in the loss... more the way we were helpless out there.

For instance, AZ was a heartbreaking loss... but at least the Bills played a great game.

I'd take the AZ loss over the KC loss.

helplessness.  That’s the perfect way to describe Sunday.  Ick. 

[Jauronimo]

This one was much easier to swallow than last year.  Buffalo just blew it in 2019.  They had every opportunity to win and didn't seize victory.  They made so many mistakes.  This compounded by the officiating and I was in a state of disgust and anger for days afterward. 

 

Sunday, we got completely outplayed on both sides of the ball.  Just no answers.  Offense was struggling to put points on the board and defense got no stops.  There is nothing to look back on and ask what might have been.  Maybe if our WRs aren't all hurt we lose by one score since we only forced one defensive stop.  That game plan needs to be burned.

[Like A Mofo]

I might be in the minority on this, but losing in the AFC Championship is worse then the Super Bowl. Now we have to hear all about KC vs TB for two weeks and we were close to being in Tampa, one game away. I can't listen to any of it.

[clayboy54]

Going back to the preseason, most were saying that anything less than a playoff win would be a disappointment despite the rough looking schedule.  I get that we looked like world-beaters at times this year, and I would've liked to see them in the SB too, but the Bills more than exceeded expectations from back before the season. Anyone who doesn't see it that way is likely still influenced by the incredible growth this team took during the season.

 

It was a great year to be a Bills fan.

[Success]

1 minute ago, Like A Mofo said:

I might be in the minority on this, but losing in the AFC Championship is worse then the Super Bowl. Now we have to hear all about KC vs TB for two weeks and we were close to being in Tampa, one game away. I can't listen to any of it.

 

Nothing to me would be worse than losing our 5th SB to TOM BRADY, after 2 weeks of the media talking about his record against the Bills over 2 decades.

 

I would have had to spend weeks in church, just looking to the heavens and asking what terrible things I had done in previous lives to warrant such an outcome.  I'd probably cope by creating a state of denial about the whole concept of football, like "There's another league beyond the MLB, NHL and NBA?  Are you sure?"

 

[st pete gogolak]

1 hour ago, TheFunPolice said:

I wasn't that upset, because as much as it sucked to see, the Chiefs are other worldly. 

 

The Super bowl won't even be close. Enjoy watching Brady get crushed!

 

 

 

Yup. #1 and #4 were there for the taking. The Cowboys fully expected to lose in #4 (for the Bills) because Aikman was so concussed he didn't know the plays. But by then the team was so tight, waiting for the crushing mistake. The pressure was enormous to win.

 

That's what makes the chiefs even more dangerous.  there's no "yeah, but" anymore. A super team like that that is tight and also confident and plays loose is pretty close to unbeatable. 

 

 

I always wonder how the two Cowboy Super Bowls would have turned out if we had Charles Haley and Thomas Everett and the Cowboys did not.  Bruce Smith on one side and Charles Haley on the other.  Thirty years later still have no idea why the 49’ers would trade Haley, not only within the conference but to their main rival within the conference.  Could have cost them a Super Bowl appearance or two.

[Jauronimo]

27 minutes ago, eball said:

 

This is dead on.  I see so many parallels between this team and the '88 team.  I just hope we skip '89 and go straight to '90.

 

 

This year was '88.  2019 was the Ronnie Harmon drop again and again and again:  Brown can't tap his toes on the sidelines, Knox and Ford can't pick up a block, Bills give up 3rd and 18 to Taiwan Jones, then Milano and Neal can't wrap up Watson.

 

We are moving in proper sequence this time around.

Edited January 26, 2021 by Jauronimo

[All_Pro_Bills]

I didn't take the loss to the Chiefs too hard.  Mainly because the Bills offense didn't play their "A game" in either of the previous 2 playoff games against the Colts and Ravens.  Although I have to also say the defense had a decent outing against the Ravens.  To me it seemed like this team was just out of gas playing a very tough regular season schedule and getting to 13-3.  Against the Chiefs Sunday they just seemed flat in every way imaginable.

 

What would have devastated me beyond recovery would have been advancing to the Super Bowl and getting beat by Brady one more time.  That guy just has our number or made a deal with the Devil to always beat the Bills.  I just couldn't bear to go through that so when Tampa beat Green Bat earlier the thought of that match up in two weeks was in my head.  

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by All_Pro_Bills

[Matt_In_NH]

Jacksonville was not hard for me to take.