ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills are set to return to the AFC championship game after a challenging four-year journey filled with playoff disappointments and significant roster changes. Their next challenge is facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs once more, a team that has thwarted the Bills in three of their last four playoff encounters. This rivalry began with a 38-24 defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in the 2020 AFC Championship game.
The following year saw a heartbreaking 42-36 overtime loss, where Buffalo relinquished a three-point lead with only 13 seconds left in regulation. Last season, the Bills came agonizingly close to victory, only to lose 27-24 at home following a missed 44-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Bass with 1:43 remaining. For quarterback Josh Allen and the current Bills roster, the upcoming contest represents a critical chance to demonstrate that they have learned from previous setbacks, as Coach Sean McDermott refers to their past experiences as “scars.”
To reach the Super Bowl for the first time since their string of four consecutive losses in the 1990s, the Bills face the daunting task of securing a victory on the road, something they have not accomplished in 35 years. Under McDermott’s leadership, they hold a dismal 0-4 playoff record away from home, accumulating a total of only three wins in twelve overall playoff games. The last road playoff victory came back in the 1992 season during the AFC championship game against Miami.
On a brighter note, the Bills can finally shed the underdog label that has often minimized their achievements. With a franchise-record tying 15 wins, including playoffs, they have proven their capabilities. Their latest dramatic 27-25 victory against the Baltimore Ravens showcased their ability to execute complementary football, showing that they can deliver more than the sum of their individual talents.
The perceived underdog status has also ignited motivation within the team; a video presented to players prior to their game against the Ravens highlighted critical commentary that had been directed their way. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver spoke candidly about overcoming the criticism, stating, “They said we weren’t big enough, we weren’t physical enough, we couldn’t stop the run, da, da, da, da, da. But we won. So what are we talking about?”
Despite the tough nature of their win against the Ravens, it exemplified the Bills’ identity, which revolves around dynamic offensive play and creating turnovers on defense. Allen had a flawless game without turnovers and made successful passes to eight different receivers. The Bills scored all their touchdowns on the ground, with two coming from Allen’s own runs. The defense also stepped up, generating three turnovers that resulted in 10 crucial points, despite Baltimore outgaining Buffalo in total yards.
Now, Buffalo faces the successful Chiefs, who suffered their first loss of the season in Week 11, falling 30-21 to the Bills. Although this victory could provide some confidence, the Bills are wary of underestimating their opponents. In their recent battles, although the Bills have claimed four wins in the last seven encounters, their three playoff losses to Kansas City loom over their chances.
As Josh Allen articulated, “We know what they are. They’re the perennial of what you want to be in the NFL. You’ve got to beat them to get past them.”
In their previous game against the Ravens, the Bills demonstrated their ability to strike early, answering Baltimore’s touchdown with a scoring drive concluded by rookie Ray Davis, which set the tone for what has been a successful season when the Bills score first. However, there is room for improvement, notably in their third-down defense where opponents have converted at a concerning rate against them.
Individuals on the rise included safety Damar Hamlin, who found success two years after his life-threatening incident during a game. His eight tackles and a forced fumble significantly impacted the game, culminating in Allen’s touchdown run. Conversely, dismissive attitudes towards the Bills have circulated, especially from betting markets favoring the Ravens.
Injury updates revealed that safety Taylor Rapp did not return after sustaining a hip injury, while cornerback Christian Benford entered the concussion protocol following a late-game incident.
With a record of 4-2 in AFC championship games, the Bills are poised to advance further. Coach Sean McDermott, having bested established Super Bowl coaching legends this postseason, now faces Andy Reid, who played a crucial role in his NFL coaching career, setting the stage for an intense championship showdown.
