Bills lose to Chiefs 32-29 in AFC Championship Game

Buffalo lost to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.  Just ugh.  So close to winning.  After Buffalo got the touchdown late in the 2nd quarter, I thought they were there.  But KC had an answer for every score.  They executed really well in big moments.  Overall, the team stats were very similar.  Felt like I kept thinking Kansas City had the right play at the right time.  

I know Buffalo converted 4-6 fourth down conversions but the story is they put themselves in that situation too much.  And the failure to convert their last two fourth down conversions were huge.  They only converted 5 of 14 third downs.  Again, making them go for it on 4th.  The old guy in me was saying "kick the field goal" a few times.  I know what the metrics say different but big what ifs.  Give KC's defense credit too.  They stopped two of Buffalo's two-point conversions which, in the end, were huge.   

KC just seemed to have the right play call so many times on offense.  It was frustrating to watch.  The blitz on Buffalo's 4th down play was another perfect call.  The drop by Kincaid was huge.  It would have been a really good play but still it felt like he could and should make that catch.  Buffalo was in that situation because I think Kansas City was better and put themselves in a position to win.  It was a really good Bills play too.  It could have been a big gain if the KC defense doesn't get to Josh Allen like they did.  Their defense made it a struggle for Buffalo.  I know the Bills scored 29 points, but it rarely felt easy.  I'm always guarded as a fan, but I had bought into this iteration of Buffalo being able to win it all.  But KC was better. 

Washington - Philly was all about turnovers.  It really was that simple.  The game got away from the Commanders at the end but what can you do when you keep handing over the ball.  They were within 10 points at the end of the 3rd but the turnovers were maddening for anyone rooting for Washington or just wanting a good game.  Washington has lots of good things to take into next season and Jayden Daniels wasn't the reason they lost yesterday.  On the other side the Philly offense looked really good.  They could run, pass whatever they needed to do.  

  

Buffalo Bills beat Denver Broncos 31-7

 Den-Buf: The first half of the Den-Buf game was perplexing.  Felt like Buffalo was dominating the game but only had 10 points.  I get that the Denver touchdown was a breakdown of coverage and the D played great after that.  And an aboration.  Still seeing it was only 10-7 had me wondering.  The Bills real offense showed up in the second half.  The offense were bailed out by the great touchdown catch by RB Ty Johnson on 4 and 1.  I still don't think they should have gone for that.  But really, I can't complain.  Any time the Bills rush more than they throw it is a good day.  Allen was very efficient and patient.  I love seeing that.  They also handled the strength of the Broncos, their pass rush, much by just rushing the ball 44 times and really good O-line play.  

Next week is the big test, right?  Can they beat Baltimore?  They'll play a veteran stud quarterback in Lamar Jackson.  He can make life miserable in so many ways.  And now Baltimore have Derrick Henry.  What a beast.  It should be a great game, but it'll take a great game by the Bills' defense.  It's that time of the year where the defense will have to show who they really are.  And the Ravens aren't the Broncos.  Can the defense be good enough to allow the Buffalo offense to run the ball like they want?  The Bills don't want to play from behind big deficits.  

And what a matchup. The two top MVP candidates going head-to-head.  Sure, I'd rather see an easier opponent, but this has been one of the knocks against Buffalo - not getting past top teams in the post season.  It should be a great game.  It worries me but Buffalo has shown they are good enough to beat anyone.