Instant analysis: #Bills lose in heartbreaking fashion vs. #Chiefs (via @jdiloro):
One of the wildest games in postseason history ended with the Buffalo Bills falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 42-36 in the AFC division round. The game featured multiple lead changes at the end of regulation, with both teams combining for 25 points in the final 1:42.
CBS Sports announcer Tony Romo said that the game would fall in favor of the quarterback who had the ball last. The prophecy came true, as Kansas City scored on the opening drive in overtime.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce in the corner of the end zone for a 26-yard reception, effectively ending Buffalo’s season:
The game went as planned, as both teams traded scores throughout the night. Both quarterbacks put on a clinic, making sensational plays all game. Josh Allen ended the day 27-of-37 for 329 yards and four touchdown scores. Patrick Mahomes added 378 passing yards on a 33-of-44 passing day and four total touchdowns (three passing and one rushing). In addition, both quarterbacks led their teams in rushing, with Allen rushing 11 times for 68 yards, while Mahomes ran seven times for 69 yards.
Buffalo opened the scoring on a Devin Singletary one-yard rush. Kansas City answered with Patrick Mahomes eight-yard rushing touchdown. By the end of the first half, each quarterback threw his first touchdown pass, with Mahomes finding Byron Pringle on a two-yard pass, only to be matched by Allen finding Gabriel Davis for an 18-yard touchdown reception.
With the game tied at halftime, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before the offenses exploded. Both defenses were hanging on admirably, but the fourth quarter would be full of fireworks.
Buffalo and Kansas City traded scores, with Kansas City up 26-21 with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Then, things went crazy. It was at this point that the defenses could not stop the freight training from coming at them.
Buffalo embarked on a dominant 17-play drive culminating on a fourth-down touchdown conversion to Gabriel Davis, a 27-yard reception. On the ensuing drive, Kansas City stormed down the field, with Tyreek Hill breaking loose on a 64-yard reception. The Bills answered with another touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis, his fourth touchdown reception of the game. With 13 seconds remaining, the Chiefs moved the ball into field goal range in only two plays. Harrison Butker tied the game with a 48-yard field goal.
The roller coaster of emotions followed into overtime. Kansas City won the coin toss and carved up the Bills defense on an eight-play, 75-yard drive. Mahomes was perfect in overtime, completing all six of his passes for 69 yards. His final play, a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce, ended the season for Buffalo.
Both offenses seemed unstoppable. The Bills offense kept answering, with Allen looking like an All-Pro with his ability to extend plays and lead the offense down the field. With the Chiefs focusing on Stefon Diggs, Buffalo needed to look for someone to break out. That player would be Gabriel Davis.
Davis caught eight passes for 201 receiving yards and an NFL postseason record four touchdown catches. His performance will get lost with the result, but it’s one of the greatest receiving performances in Bills history.
While Buffalo’s offense put on a show, it was their defense that ultimately was their Achilles’ heel Sunday evening.
Patrick Mahomes ran for a career-best 69 yards on seven rushes. Buffalo modified their defensive line in the offseason to post a greater challenge to quarterbacks like Mahomes. Buffalo’s line allowed Mahomes to escape several times, which resulted in drives being extended and ultimately, points being put up against them. The Bills game plan in the trenches did not work well, as they often failed to get hands on Mahomes.
There will be questions about how the Bills coaching staff approached the final seconds of regulation. After the Bills took a three-point lead with 13 seconds remaining, Buffalo kicked the ball off for a touchback. With no time elapsing from this play, Kansas City, with all of their time outs, moved the ball quickly into field goal range.
In addition, McDermott had no answers for the Chiefs in overtime. There were no adjustments to slow the Kansas City attack. McDermott did not call any time outs in overtime, which seemed to enhance the bulldozing that Kansas City achieved.
Buffalo entered the half as the top-rated defense in the NFL. However, they allowed 552 total yards. It was too much even for the Bills dynamic offense to recover.
While Buffalo’s passing attack shined, there were several players who were largely invisible in this game. Stefon Diggs caught three passes for seven receiving yards. His best moment was a catch for a two-point conversion. Dawson Knox reeled in two passes for nine yards. Devin Singletary scored a touchdown, but he largely did not have much running room, as he gained only 26 yards on 10 rushes.
The game was arguably one of the greatest in NFL post-season. For the Bills, it’s a result that leaves a bad taste in their mouths. There were too many moments that the Bills were unable to recover from, mistakes that led to their demise. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, and Buffalo’s front office will need to find ways to get this team over this hurdle.
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