5 takeaways from the Bills’ 32-29 AFC championship loss to the Chiefs
The Buffalo Bills had a too familiar story unfold against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bills lost to the Chiefs for a fourth occasion in the postseason, this time in the AFC championship game, in a 32-29 final. Buffalo’s Super Bowl dreams end at the hands of Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.
Undoubtedly still a successful season, the Bills still could not beat their AFC rivals.
Here are Bills Wire’s five takeaways from the loss to the Chiefs:
Another classic
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It did not go their way. But it still was a classic and heart-breaking loss.
The Bills felt like they were behind the eight-ball for most of the evening. Even so, they had a chance in the end. An unlucky ball bounced off the hands of tight end Dalton Kincaid in the dying minutes and that’s all she wrote. It will go down in history right next to “13 seconds.”
This rivalry will continue.
Bills survive slow start
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The Bills needed a good start on the road. They did not get it.
Somehow, it felt like Buffalo survived just enough, but a better performance out of the locker room would have gone a long way.
The Chiefs only led 21-16 at the halftime break. It felt like they were the much better team.
Kansas City did not punt in the first half, so that helps add to that, but give it to the Bills who did survive this stuck in the mud feeling. A deep touchdown pass to receiver Mack Hollins just before the break was a huge play to keep the Bills in it.
Cooked
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It was all about quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, as usual, between the Bills and Chiefs. But how it’s gone a decent amount of times in 2024, running back James Cook showed up in a big way.
Cook punched in two touchdowns and had over 85 yards rushing. He averaged more than six yards per carry. The Bills couldn’t use him in the late stages because of the clock, but Cook proved once again that he’s a top back.
Tough decisions don’t always go well
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In the tight moments, the chips did not fall Buffalo’s way.
In what looked like an interception, the ball went the Chiefs’ way near the goal line and they scored shortly after. In other short-yardage plays, the Bills did not get the job done.
Kincaid’s drop was already noted.
A really tough one.
The narrative rolls on
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The Chiefs have the Bills’ number. No regular season wins will change that.
As good as they are, it’s still the same narrative about Buffalo’s football team heading into 2025.
