The January track remained the identical for quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments, as Buffalo as soon as once more entered the playoffs with Tremendous Bowl expectations solely to endure a loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Following the 32-29 defeat at Kansas Metropolis’s Arrowhead Stadium in Sunday’s AFC Championship Sport, Allen spoke overtly about his emotions of disappointment.
“It is not enjoyable,” Allen mentioned in regards to the loss, as shared by Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. “However to be the champs, you have to beat the champs, and we did not do it tonight. …You may both get it accomplished or you possibly can’t. And we did not get it accomplished.”
One could not blame Allen, who might earn MVP honors for the primary time in his profession subsequent month, for feeling pissed off about falling to the Chiefs in yet one more must-win sport. Mike Gavin of NBC Connecticut famous that Allen is 4-1 versus fellow signal-caller Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in regular-season play however has now gone 0-4 in opposition to Mahomes and Co. within the playoffs since January 2021.
“We do not accomplish s—. We do not win a hoop,” Buffalo cornerback Rasul Douglas mentioned after the defeat. “…All people acquired one purpose, bro. Just one group handles the purpose on the finish of yearly. All different 31 is simply attempting to get to that purpose.”
Just like how some wonder if Lamar Jackson will ever information the Baltimore Ravens previous an in-his-prime Mahomes throughout a postseason, questions on Allen’s means to win the largest video games on the largest levels may generate Buffalo-related sports activities headlines for months. Whereas the Payments had been on the improper facet of a controversial fourth-down ruling early within the contest’s fourth quarter, Allen had an opportunity to provide a legacy drive with the guests trailing by three factors and three:33 left in regulation.
Nevertheless, Buffalo tight finish Dalton Kincaid was unable to safe a fourth-down prayer of a pass with beneath two minutes remaining. Had Kincaid accomplished the catch, the Payments would’ve been in subject purpose vary with loads of time to seek for what may’ve change into a game-winning landing.
“For those who get this shut, you positively going to attempt to win all of it,” Payments security Damar Hamlin added. “Simply serious about having to arrange for subsequent season, it is simply serious about every part that it took to get so far looks like a heavy load to elevate. So, you wish to attempt to maximize whilst you’re right here.”
As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Payments tied for second among the many betting favorites at +650 odds to win Tremendous Bowl LX in February 2026. It appears doubtless that Mahomes and the Chiefs will as soon as once more stand between Buffalo and a Tremendous Bowl berth subsequent winter.