The Buffalo Bills’ chances at the AFC Championship were ended by two failed fourth-down attempts, which will potentially be remembered by fans all offseason. The first failed fourth-down attempt occurred in the fourth quarter, with Buffalo holding a 22-21 lead, when quarterback Josh Allen sneaked on fourth-and-1 from the Kansas City 41-yard line. The initial call on the field had Allen short of the yard to gain, and replay did not overturn the spot, despite Allen and the ball appearing close to, or even across, the 40-yard line. Coach Sean McDermott said he believed Allen had made the first down, but replay officials disagreed.
The second fourth-down failure came with less than two minutes remaining in the game, as the Bills drove to potentially tie or take the lead in a three-point game. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sent a blitz on a fourth-and-5, and Allen was forced to drift backward, throwing off his back foot. His heave to tight end Dalton Kincaid was deflected, and the Bills would not get the ball again.
The two losses resulted in a Chiefs touchdown and two-point conversion, and the Bills’ inability to convert two key fourth-down plays ultimately led to the loss. Quarterback Josh Allen credited the Chiefs for sending Trent McDuffie on the critical play, while coach Sean McDermott noted the importance of the first fourth-down stop in a close game. Despite the loss, coach McDermott had no regrets with his decision to run Allen on multiple third- and fourth-and-short situations.
