‘The catch would have been impressive. Coming out of the two-minute warning, the Bills faced fourth-and-5 from their own 47-yard line. The Chiefs came for Bills quarterback Josh Allen quickly. Allen had Kansas City defensive end George Karlaftis in his face, with Karlaftis hitting Allen right as he threw the ball. Still, Allen heaved the ball 30-plus yards downfield, and Kincaid had his hands on it.’
BillsBeat - January 27, 2025
Three questions: How do the Bills upgrade their defense after yet another loss to the Chiefs?
‘There needs to be some soul-searching within the entire organization on the defensive side of the ball. Kansas City scored its most points of the season and rolled up 28 first downs. Houston’s defense held the Chiefs to just 14 first downs – half of Sunday’s total! – last week.’
Takeaways, game balls, gassers from the Bills' AFC title game loss to Kansas City
‘It’s fair to question whether Bills cornerback Christian Benford should have been playing a week after he suffered a concussion against Baltimore. He didn’t even make it through the first quarter against the Chiefs after a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Damar Hamlin. Benford was held up by cornerback Rasul Douglas before eventually getting a cart ride to the locker room and being ruled out with another concussion.’
Plays that shaped the game: Steve Spagnuolo dialed up winning blitz on Bills' last pass
‘With the AFC championship game on the line, Spagnuolo did it again and forced an incompletion on the Bills’ final, fourth-and-5 pass with 2 minutes to go in Sunday’s game.’
Report Card: Coaching decisions contribute to Bills' disappointing loss to Chiefs
‘Why did offensive coordinator Joe Brady continue to call the tush push when it was clear that the Chiefs knew how to stop it? That is a question that is going to be asked for a very long offseason. Brady was outcoached by Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.’
‘Will trade wings 4 BBQ’: At Kansas City tailgate, Bills fans bring hometown pride
‘“I wanna try some Kansas City barbecue,” he said. “We wanna see somebody go through a table,” a Chiefs fan replied.’
Bills' Super Bowl dreams squashed by Chiefs yet again in dramatic loss
‘Even when the deplorable drought ended with Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane and Josh Allen blazing a new path and leading the Bills out of the wilderness by delivering five straight AFC East division titles, to even dare ponder what it might be like to see the Bills – their Bills – reach a Super Bowl became a pointless exercise because season after season ended in such bitter, gut-wrenching disappointment.’
Bills report card: Mahomes, Chiefs pull off yet another Houdini act against Buffalo
‘But the reason why Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Chiefs have now eliminated Josh Allen, Sean McDermott and the Bills in four of the last five seasons is that when the time comes for the biggest plays in these games need to be made, the Chiefs make them and the Bills don’t.’
What Bills’ Dawson Knox is doing for Dalton Kincaid after critical drop in loss to Chiefs
‘The play seemed doomed on the snap of the ball as Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sent cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Justin Reid on a blitz. The Bills didn’t recognize the pre-snap disguise, and Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen had no choice but to retreat. As he started running backward, the only option quickly became a desperation heave downfield.’
Mack Hollins steps up, but Bills don’t make enough plays in AFC Championship loss (Pass/fail)
‘Joe Brady’s game plan wasn’t good enough. The same could be said for Bobby Babich’s defense. Both units made plays in the 32-29 loss on Sunday, but they failed to make enough. And, of course, there was a controversial call from the officiating crew.’
Patrick Mahomes outduels Josh Allen, Chiefs send Bills home for 4th time in 5 seasons (AFC Championship observations)
‘Josh Allen had led touchdown drives on two of their last three possessions. The Bills faced a fourth down with just under two minutes to play. The Chiefs blitzed and Allen just threw it off his back foot — a prayer of a pass that somehow aligned on target to second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid.’
Bills WR Mack Hollins brings out his inner ‘Animal’ with AFC Championship pregame fit
‘The Bills wide receiver walked into Arrowhead Stadium for Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs dressed as Animal from “The Muppets” — and, of course, also barefoot.’
Bills fall short of Super Bowl berth, falling to defending-champion Chiefs in AFC Championship game
‘Quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills offense had the ball, facing a fourth-and-5 from the Bills’ 47-yard line out of the two-minute warning. Allen immediately faced pressure from safety Justin Reid and defensive end George Karlaftis and had to launch the ball downfield in the direction of tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid couldn’t secure it, as the ball slipped through his hands as he worked back to the ball.’
Five Takeaways: Bills lose heartbreaker to Chiefs in AFC Championship game
‘The halftime adjustments made by McDermott, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich and the Bills’ defensive staff worked wonders and helped thwart the wave of momentum with which KC entered the second half. It was perhaps the most significant factor in Buffalo fighting its way back to a second-half advantage.’
Josh Allen still waiting for playoff-defining moment after falling short in dethroning Chiefs dynasty
‘Another year, another season that fell short of a Super Bowl and another season ended by the Kansas City Chiefs. It was also another year that Allen had the ball in his hands with a chance to do something about it and the Bills came up empty.’