Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills’ season came to an agonizing end on Sunday when Josh Allen’s fourth-and-5 pass under heavy pressure fell incomplete, narrowly out of tight end Dalton Kincaid’s reach. The Kansas City Chiefs secured a 32-29 win in the AFC Championship Game, ending the Bills’ playoff run and advancing to the Super Bowl.
While some fans blamed Kincaid for the missed play, his teammates were quick to defend him, emphasizing that many factors contributed to the loss.
Allen Takes Responsibility
Allen expressed full support for Kincaid during Monday’s media session, taking responsibility for not putting the young tight end in better situations throughout the season.
“I got to be better for him. I didn’t feel like I put him in enough good situations this year, ball-placement-wise,” Allen said. “… He can sit there and think about that play over and over, but I got to be better for him. That’s what it comes down to, and get him more involved. I know he’s been battling throughout the entire year, bumps and bruises and probably games that he shouldn’t have played he was in, but he’s a tough sucker, and I got nothing but love for him, how he’s approached this year. He’s going to be so much better next year. Let his body heal up, and I’m going to be better, better for him, and I can promise you that.”
Kincaid Played Through Injuries
Tight end Dawson Knox revealed that Kincaid had been playing through significant injuries, including a torn PCL in one knee and fluid in the other. Despite these setbacks, Kincaid delivered solid performances throughout the season, finishing with 44 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season. He added six catches for 71 yards in the playoffs.
Against the Chiefs, Kincaid managed 2 receptions for 13 yards on four targets, including the crucial final play.
“Watching that play back, I mean he’s running full speed one direction. Josh had three guys in his face and just had to throw up a pop fly, and Dalton had to completely change directions and dive for the ball. The fact he even got contact on the ball is impressive, first of all,” Knox said. “… I told him we wouldn’t have even been in that game if he wasn’t on this team. What he brings to this offense, the incredible weapon he is, I don’t know if we would’ve won the division without him. I don’t know if we would’ve made the playoffs without him. So, if he tries to shoulder this as his fault, I’ll probably just laugh at him like, ‘Dude, you’re acting crazy right now.'”
A Complex Final Play
The Bills’ last offensive snap broke down due to a mix of miscommunication and a perfectly executed Chiefs blitz. Allen noted that the offensive line slid protection left, anticipating pressure from that side based on Kansas City’s pre-snap look. However, the Chiefs brought a surprise blitz from the right, leaving Allen scrambling under duress.
Right guard O’Cyrus Torrence explained, “We called the protection to slide left. … I guess from film, they will blitz from where they’re not showing it from,” Torrence said. “So, they showed it from the right, so we [were] thinking they were doing it from the left, but they actually brought it from the right this time. It’s just, you can say it’s an error. I think they just called a better play than we had on offense, just how the game goes.”
Broader Issues Cost the Bills
While the final play has drawn attention, Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard reminded reporters that no single moment decided the game.
“I think it’s unfair, honestly, to even say [Kincaid lost them the game] and put him in that situation,” Bernard said. “There’s so many plays that it comes down to throughout a game, and we just didn’t make enough of ’em.”
The Bills also faced struggles in all three phases. They allowed the Chiefs to score touchdowns on three of their first four possessions and couldn’t generate consistent offensive momentum in the second half.
Looking Ahead
This marks the fourth time in five postseasons that the Chiefs have eliminated the Bills. Despite leading the league with 78 wins over the past six seasons, Buffalo continues to fall short of a Super Bowl appearance.
Allen remains confident in head coach Sean McDermott, who has guided the team to consistent success.
“It’s going to sound weird. I’m just so proud of Coach,” Allen said. “I don’t know why he’s not recognized more in the awards stuff. That’s the cruddy thing about it. But, you know, time in and time out, he’s got us in position. We won the AFC East the last how many, so years. And obviously, we’re fighting to get over that hump. He gives his life to this. I will tell you that he’s so committed to doing whatever it takes. And to see him adapt and really grow as a coach has been fun to watch.”
As for Allen himself, his right hand is swollen from a failed two-point conversion attempt in the first half, but he doesn’t expect to need surgery.
For the Bills, the offseason begins with a familiar question: how to get past Kansas City and finally reach the Super Bowl. While this loss stings, the team remains optimistic about the future.
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This report used information from ESPN.
