What We Learned: Did Josh Allen Do Enough to Help Bills Beat Chiefs?
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs found themselves in another postseason classic, and like the last time, the former found themselves heartbroken.
After the previous outing in the Divisional Round with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line saw the Bills offense and Josh Allen helpless while watchin from the sideline as Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to victory, Allen finally had his shot to win the game with the ball in his hands.
However, it didn't prove enough to change the Bills' fate as Tyler Bass' 44-yard field goal was pushed wide right to put Kansas City one step closer to hoisting its second straight Lombardi Trophy.
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) after the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium.
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Second-Half Stall Out
The last playoff matchup between these two teams had the effectiveness of the passing games, which was the big storyline as Allen and Mahomes provided a quarterback duel for the ages.
While that isn't to say that Allen and Mahomes didn't put on a show Sunday, the Bills offense emphasized their ground game this go around.
Bills running back James Cook was a feature in the offensive gameplan on Sunday. He had 18 carries for 61 yards, finishing only behind Allen in rushing, who was the proverbial "thunder" to the former's "lightning."
The Bills' offensive success in the first half was largely due to the ability of their offensive line, who were creating lanes upfront. However, it could also be noted that their inability to move the Chiefs up front later in the game may have been an issue.
Outdueled?
Unlike the heartbreaking loss in 2022 in the same game, Allen and Co. had the ball with an opportunity to win.
Thanks to critical stops from the Buffalo defense, one via a Jordan Poyer forced fumble that went through the endzone for a touchback and the other being a punt, the Bills had two opportunities to score. However, both fell short or in the case of Tyler Bass's kick, it was just "wide right."
Allen's stat line of completing 26 of his 39 passes for just 186 yards compared to Mahomes 17 of 23 for 215 and two scores may suggest the Bills' signal-caller was out-dueled. Yet, Allen's 72 yards rushing and two touchdowns suggest otherwise.
Combine the fact that Allen had no turnovers with some critical drops, like the 60-plus air-yard throw that Stefon Diggs couldn't come down with, looms larger given the result.
Defensive Let-Down?
Did Allen and the Bills offense do enough to win? Maybe aside from the last two drives, many would argue they did.
How about the defense? It seems like compared to the previous games with the Chiefs, the answer is the opposite.
Kansas City's offense scored on five of its first six drives, with the only non-scoring drive coming at the end of the first half. The Buffalo defense gave up 361 yards of total offense, and it wasn't until the fourth quarter that they got the stops they needed.
Yet, with that being the side of the ball for Bills coach Sean McDermott, the defensive performance will do little to help quell talks of being on the hot seat.
