Bills suffer even more playoff heartbreak in divisional round loss to Chiefs

Since their iconic field goal kick in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXV, the Buffalo Bills have been associated with the term “wide right.” The squad and its supporters had to relive those two sentences on Sunday while going through even more heartache throughout the playoffs.

Late in their divisional playoff game, the Bills were in a do-or-die situation, behind the visiting Kansas City Chiefs 27–24. Josh Allen, the team’s quarterback, did lead the team all the way to the Kansas City 26-yard line; however, two incomplete passes put the team in a 4th-and-9 situation, forcing them to settle for a field goal that would tie the game.

It was hardly a chip shot from 44 yards out, especially in a stadium like Buffalo’s. Nonetheless, Tyler Bass, a fourth-year kicker, has made 86.4 percent of his kicks within that range this year.

But this one he did not create. Again, wide right.

And thus, another disappointing Bills season comes to a close. Even though the club finished 11-6 and won the AFC East for the fourth time in a row, their postseason performance was once again below par. Buffalo was unable to go beyond the divisional round for the third consecutive year.

Under head coach Sean McDermott, the team’s playoff record has now plummeted to 5-6 overall. The 2020 AFC Championship Game was the furthest the McDermott-led Bills had gone in the playoffs.

Buffalo lost to the Chiefs in that game, as they would in the divisional playoffs in 2021 and 2023. However, this game saw the Bills playing at home, unlike the prior two, which were both held in Kansas City.

It was still irrelevant.

McDermott expressed his disappointment after the loss. The fact that we didn’t do as well as I had wanted is very upsetting and disheartening. In our line of work, this is the kind of circumstance where you have to reflect on it for the whole off-season.

The Miami Dolphins’ wild card weekend loss and Buffalo’s elimination from the playoffs mean that the AFC East is no longer a contender for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. When the New England Patriots won their sixth and most recent title in 2018, the division last won the league.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens will play the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, while the San Francisco 49ers will play the Detroit Lions in the NFC title game.

MORE FROM PATS PULPIT NFL Divisional Round: game timings on Sunday, items to be aware of, discussion thread, and more
According to a rumour, the Patriots will interview 2010 draft pick Zac Robinson for the position of offensive coordinator.
Patriots coaching tracker: News, rumours, and analysis about Jerod Mayo’s staff, including the allegation that former assistant Nick Caley may apply for the position of offensive coordinator
Sunday Notes for Patriots: Interviews with coordinators have several purposes.
NFL Divisional Round: Game timings, watchouts, open thread, and more for Saturday

Since their iconic field goal kick in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXV, the Buffalo Bills have been associated with the term “wide right.” The squad and its supporters had to relive those two sentences on Sunday while going through even more heartache throughout the playoffs.

Late in their divisional playoff game, the Bills were in a do-or-die situation, behind the visiting Kansas City Chiefs 27–24. Josh Allen, the team’s quarterback, did lead the team all the way to the Kansas City 26-yard line; however, two incomplete passes put the team in a 4th-and-9 situation, forcing them to settle for a field goal that would tie the game.

It was hardly a chip shot from 44 yards out, especially in a stadium like Buffalo’s. Nonetheless, Tyler Bass, a fourth-year kicker, has made 86.4 percent of his kicks within that range this year.

But this one he did not create. Again, wide right.

And thus, another disappointing Bills season comes to a close. Even though the club finished 11-6 and won the AFC East for the fourth time in a row, their postseason performance was once again below par. Buffalo was unable to go beyond the divisional round for the third consecutive year.

Under head coach Sean McDermott, the team’s playoff record has now plummeted to 5-6 overall. The 2020 AFC Championship Game was the furthest the McDermott-led Bills had gone in the playoffs.

Buffalo lost to the Chiefs in that game, as they would in the divisional playoffs in 2021 and 2023. However, this game saw the Bills playing at home, unlike the prior two, which were both held in Kansas City.

It was still irrelevant.

McDermott expressed his disappointment after the loss. The fact that we didn’t do as well as I had wanted is very upsetting and disheartening. In our line of work, this is the kind of circumstance where you have to reflect on it for the whole off-season.

The Miami Dolphins’ wild card weekend loss and Buffalo’s elimination from the playoffs mean that the AFC East is no longer a contender for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. When the New England Patriots won their sixth and most recent title in 2018, the division last won the league.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens will play the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, while the San Francisco 49ers will play the Detroit Lions in the NFC title game.

MORE FROM PATS PULPIT NFL Divisional Round: game timings on Sunday, items to be aware of, discussion thread, and more
According to a rumour, the Patriots will interview 2010 draft pick Zac Robinson for the position of offensive coordinator.
Patriots coaching tracker: News, rumours, and analysis about Jerod Mayo’s staff, including the allegation that former assistant Nick Caley may apply for the position of offensive coordinator
Sunday Notes for Patriots: Interviews with coordinators have several purposes.
NFL Divisional Round: Game timings, watchouts, open thread, and more for Saturday