Free source photo from pexels.com.

The Buffalo Bills’ triumphant season came to a screeching halt on Jan. 26 as the back to back Super Bowl Champions overtook them in a demanding Sunday Night Football thriller. 

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs took advantage of Buffalo’s miscues to advance to their third Super Bowl in three consecutive years. 

There were multiple controversial calls, especially one in the fourth quarter when Buffalo was up by one point. Buffalo “tush-pushed” Josh Allen towards the first down marker, as they had done successfully for the entirety of the season. However, the referees disagreed with most Bills fans when they said they were short of the first down. This, unfortunately for Upstate New Yorkers (and most of America), could have been the deciding factor between a loss and a win for Buffalo. 

Utica University student, Jake Guzda, said he didn’t think that the game was rigged, but that, “the Chiefs benefitted from almost every call in the game that could’ve gone either way,” and went on to mention that controversial fourth down and its impact.

However, the rest of the season should not be ignored, as the Bills went 13-4 in the regular season, beating the likes of offensive powerhouses, like the Detroit Lions and the Chiefs. In the postseason, the Bills wrote off the likes of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in another late night classic. 

NFL fans around the country were outraged by this loss from the Bills, as most fans would rather watch the underdog compete for a title, compared to the Chiefs possibly having a “three-peat” or a “Chief-peat”, as Tony Romo confidently declared after the game. However, no one was as disappointed in the outcome as Josh Allen. 

In a postgame interview, Allen said, “To be the champs, you gotta beat the champs.” as he looked down in regret.

Guzda was heartbroken after the game. 

“I wouldn’t say that it hurts the most because I’m most accustomed to the Bills losing to the Chiefs in the playoffs, but it really felt like this was the best chance we would have to get them,” he said. 

The Bills have been downed by the Chiefs in the playoffs four out of the last five seasons, despite Allen’s dominance against Mahomes in the regular season, going 4-1. 

There has been increased criticism of Head Coach Sean McDermott, especially due to crucial decisions made in the fourth quarter. At the end of the game, Allen was blitzed on fourth down, and appeared to throw the ball up for grabs, but it was surprisingly accurate to Tight End Dalton Kincaid, who proceeded to drop the pass. 

“The Bills’ offensive line slid the other way and as soon as Josh Allen took the snap, you knew the play was pretty much cooked. On the most crucial play of the game, they got outcoached and out-schemed,” Guzda said.

 While the criticism towards McDermott is fair, firing him would be hasteful; McDermott has an 86-45 record in the regular season and the Bills have dominated the AFC East for years now. Kansas City could just unfortunately start becoming a new New England Patriots-esque  “dynasty”, especially if they are able to win Super Bowl LIX.

So how do they get over the hump? Buffalo GM Brandon Beane should start by working towards re-signing Wide Receiver Amari Cooper, and drafting an elite Defensive End, like the recent NCAA National Champion Jack Sawyer from Ohio State. Some of it could be luck as well, as most of Kansas City’s wins against Buffalo have been close going into the fourth quarter.

Bills fans are looking forward to a new start next season. 

“At the end of the day, we are left wondering what could’ve been after a loss to KC,” Guzda said. “The Chiefs are simply our kryptonite.”