The good and bad from Bills in AFC championship loss vs. Chiefs

The Buffalo Bills have fallen short to the Kansas City Chiefs in previous years, and history repeated itself once again. The Bills fell in the AFC championship, 32-29.

The Bills defense was not up to the task of stopping Patrick Mahomes when they needed to. And, the Bills offense was lacking in the receiving game and failed to do what they do best which is lean on what works. The Bills will now turn their focus to the offseason and what that entails. 

The good 

QB Josh Allen 

Josh Allen did his part in the game. Allen and the Bills offense started off with a lackluster first drive, going three-and-out. After that, Allen and the offense got back on track. Allen finished the game 22/34 for 237 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. On the ground, Allen took it himself 11 times for 39 rushing yards. Allen did what he could with what he was given but this game did not go his way, with little from his receivers when it mattered most.

RB James Cook 

James Cook was one of the bright spots in the Bills offense against the Chiefs. Cook only had 13 carries against the Chiefs in this game and still finished with 85 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Cook averaged 6.5 yards a carry with his longest rush being 33 yards. Cook should have been the focal point of Buffalo’s gameplan yet he was not used as much as he should have been. Cook made the most of his touches and was a big part in keeping the Bills in the game. Cook will continue to be a big part in the Bills offense going forward into next season, and hopefully for Bills Mafia, Joe Brady will lean on Cook more. 

WR Mack Hollins 

Mack Hollins was the best receiver on the field for the Bills in the loss to the Chiefs. Hollins was a reliable target for Allen all game long and was an important piece in the Bills offense. Hollins finished the game with three receptions for 73 receiving yards and a touchdown. He has become a key piece in the Bills offense this season in not only the receiving game but the blocking and special teams game. Hollins is someone that the Bills will want to keep around going into next season. 

The bad 

Containing Patrick Mahomes 

The Bills defense failed to keep Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes from getting into the end zone. Mahomes finished the game 18/26 for 245 passing yards and a passing touchdown. While Mahomes not only succeeded through passing the ball, he also had success on the ground, taking it himself 11 times for 43 rushing yards and tacking on two rushing touchdowns. The Bills defense had no answer for Mahomes and it was evident in his success throughout the game.

TE Dalton Kincaid 

Dalton Kincaid had a chance to make the biggest catch of his career on 4th & 5 with Buffalo’s season on the line, but he dropped it. Kincaid finished the game with just two catches on four targets for 13 receiving yards. Kincaid is now in his second season with Buffalo, and after coming off of a good rookie season and high expectations, Kincaid’s production in Buffalo’s offense dipped. In this game, he let the ball slip through his hands when it mattered most. Kincaid will look to learn and grow from this season and pick up his production in the Bills offense going forward. 

CB Kaiir Elam 

Kaiir Elam came into the game after CB Christian Benford went out with a concussion. Elam struggled from the moment he came into the game. Elam was leaving receivers left and right and could not hang with the Chiefs offense. Elam allowed some big plays that moved the chains for Kansas City and tired the Bills defense out. Elam is still only 23-years-old yet he has been in the league for three years now and has not shown his ability to play at a high level. Elam was Buffalo’s first round draft pick in 2022, coming out of Florida, and he has not lived up to the hype. Elam has to be better if he wants to continue playing football for the Bills or they will move on from him when his rookie contract expires.