The Bills stay at a irritating degree in soccer limbo: nonetheless an ideal staff within the common season, however simply as constantly unable to get previous the Chiefs within the playoffs.
Sunday’s 32-29 loss within the AFC Championship Game marked the fourth time in 5 years that Buffalo has misplaced to Kansas City within the playoffs, with three of these 4 losses coming at Arrowhead Stadium. Buffalo is 61-22 for the reason that begin of 2020 – the Chiefs are the one staff with a number of wins in that span – however the Bills have did not earn a single Super Bowl look since that run. In these 5 years, they have been 0-4 within the playoffs in opposition to the Chiefs and 7-0 in opposition to everybody else.
So the story would be the similar: How can Buffalo and Josh Allen overcome Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes? The Bills have been in a position to beat the Chiefs within the common season, however they can not do it when it issues most. They have been painfully shut: a fourth-quarter tie Sunday, a fourth-quarter lead in every of the earlier two seasons, shedding 27-24 final 12 months and 42-36 in additional time within the playoffs after the 2022 season.
Buffalo has gained 5 straight division titles, proudly owning the AFC East since Tom Brady left the Patriots, however that success fell in need of the Super Bowl. The Bills have gained 48 common season video games over the previous 4 years, and once they went to 4 straight Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993, they gained 49 over a four-year span.
So, subsequent season may even be a mere preface to the inevitable showdown with the Chiefs in January. Can Buffalo win sufficient video games to safe the highest seed within the AFC in order that the matchup takes place in Buffalo and never Kansas City? Until he beats the Chiefs and will get to the Super Bowl, Allen’s legacy with Buffalo can be spent solely in Mahomes’ shadow.
As they struggle once more in 2025, the Bills may even have a surplus of draft picks, which ought to permit them to pick a deep class of rookies or bundle picks to maneuver up as they need. They have an additional second-round decide from commerce receiver Stefon Diggs to the Texans, additional picks within the fourth and sixth rounds from different trades and two compensatory draft picks, each doubtless after the fifth spherical, for shedding two free brokers. final 12 months in receiver Gabe Davis and edge rusher Leonard Floyd.
They must lean on the draft to make an influence as a result of they’re unlikely to have lots of cap area for substantial signings in free company. They are presently over their 2025 wage cap, however can restructure contracts and reduce or commerce gamers to create further cap area.
As for his or her free brokers, there are solely two who’re anticipated to be costly to retain: receiver Amari Cooper, who was acquired from the Browns midseason, and cornerback Rasul Douglas. Safety Damar Hamlin can also be a free agent, as is receiver Mack Hollins, who had a landing in Sunday’s sport. Running again James Cook, who led the NFL with 16 dashing touchdowns final season, is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract and is now eligible for a profitable extension.
The Bills will as soon as once more face a top-ranked schedule: Both Super Bowl groups, the Chiefs and Eagles, will play in Buffalo within the common season. But the schedule additionally provides the Bills a simple division within the NFC South, a possible four-game sweep, though they may face a tricky division doubtless with a number of playoff groups within the AFC North.
Buffalo has gained not less than 11 video games 5 years in a row, a uncommon sustained degree of success within the common season, however till the Bills can discover the identical form of wins in January, the franchise will proceed to fall in need of that ‘elusive first Super Bowl. championship. Not way back, this franchise went 25 years with out a single playoff win earlier than getting one in 2020.
But at this level, that will not ease the ache of the staff’s loyal followers, particularly watching the Chiefs go to the Super Bowl 12 months after 12 months.
Greg Auman is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand spent a decade masking the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and the Athletic. You can observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.
Want nice tales delivered straight to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports accountand observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter daily!
Get extra from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get info on video games, information and extra
