Kansas City, Mo. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The 2024 season for the Buffalo Bills came to an end on Sunday night in the AFC Championship Game following a 32-29 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down from the contest:
ARROW DOWN:
Quarterback sneaks
The Bills could not rely on the one play they had used so successfully all season.
Josh Allen was stopped on multiple quarterback sneaks, including a pivotal (and controversial) sneak while leading 22-21 early in the fourth quarter.
Dalton Kincaid’s drop
Facing a 4th-and-5 with, essentially, their season on the line, Allen was hurried and eventually lofted the ball towards Kincaid, who had to make an adjustment, but couldn’t come up with the ball after it him in the arms.
That was the Bills' last chance.
Not breaking tackles
There were several plays Bills pass catchers had the ball in space, but were unable to break a tackle, a couple times leaving them just short of a first down, creating those fourth down plays.
Slow start offensively
The Bills got the ball to start the game. The offense ran three plays for only four yards and punted.
On their next possession, they were able to get a field goal, but only three points on the first two drives was a tough start.
Not enough James Cook earlier
The Bills didn’t get to their run game enough with Cook until the second half. In the first half, Cook had only four carries, but gained 23 yards.
He got the ball 13 times in the second half, and ran for 63 yards.
First half defense
The Bills defense couldn’t get a stop in the first half. Kansas City scored three touchdowns and never punted.
Third down defense
The Chiefs converted 5-of-9 third down chances (55.6%), and their only fourth down attempt.
Big punt return allowed
With the Bills trailing 14-10, they punted from their own 30-yard line. The Chiefs returned it 41 yards back to the Bills' 34-yard line and scored a touchdown five plays later.
Third down offense
The Bills were just 5-for-14 on third downs (35.7%).
The season ending
It’s always tough when the season ends in the playoffs, but this was especially hard for Bills fans to see it happen, once again, in Kansas City, against the Chiefs, having a lead with just over 10 minutes left to reach the Super Bowl, and being tied with less than four minutes remaining.
ARROW UP:
WR - Mack Hollins
Hollins was the Bills' leading receiver, catching three balls for 73 yards, including a fantastic grab for a 34-yard touchdown.
RB - James Cook
Cook finished the game with 13 carries for 85 yards, a 6.5-yard average per-run, including two touchdowns. He added three catches for 49 yards, totaling 134 yards.
Coming back after rough start
After the tough start to the game, the Bills were able to overcome it, and eventually take the lead in the first half.
Red zone offense
Buffalo was 3-for-3 scoring touchdowns once in the Kansas City red zone.
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