The Buffalo Bills had to feel tortured in every close win from the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite going 10-2 with a head-to-head win over the Chiefs, they were unable to clinch a spot in the race for the AFC’s number one seed. This meant that the pressure was continuous; The Bills really couldn’t afford to lose a game.
The Bills aren’t out of the running for the top seed and lone bye in the AFC playoffs, but their path got a lot tougher on Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams, who were 6-6 coming into Sunday’s game, stormed the Bills on Sunday and won 44-42.
Buffalo lost despite six touchdowns from Josh Allen. He had three passing and three rushing. Allen is the first player in NFL history to have three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a regular-season game.
Los Angeles started fast, got a huge punt block for a touchdown and moved the ball with ease vs. the Bills. Allen got Buffalo back into the game with a touchdown pass to cut Los Angeles’ lead to 38-35 in the fourth quarter, but the defense couldn’t get a critical stop after that, and Puca Nacua’s 19-yard touchdown followed by two. Minute warnings help keep the game away.
The Bills fell to 10-3 and trailed the Chiefs by two games after a last-second 19-17 victory over the Kansas City Chargers on “Sunday Night Football.”
The damage does not say much about the bill. They went across the country and lost to a well coached team that is still in the playoff race. it happens
But it’s a loss that means the Bills will have to travel to Arrowhead Stadium in January.
The Bills dug themselves a hole
The Buffalo defense should be embarrassed. When your quarterback accounts for six touchdowns, you shouldn’t lose.
It was clear the Bills were in for a tough game. On the Rams’ first possession they drove 70 yards in 12 plays, with Karen Williams scoring a touchdown. The Rams led 10-7 when they made the play that changed the momentum. Rams linebacker Jacob Hummel came through the middle of the Bills’ line on a punt, got a clear block and it was scooped up by tight end Hunter Long and returned for 22 yards and a touchdown.
After that it took some time for the bills to recover. Los Angeles built a 31-14 lead early in the second half and had an effective day on offense. Nacua had a big game with 12 catches for 162 yards. Buffalo played well on defense for most of the season, but Sean McVay and the Rams’ offense had an answer. Buffalo got back into the game with two rushing touchdowns to start the fourth quarter, but the Rams went on long drives to chew up most of the clock. The Rams picked off a huge fourth-and-5 conversion with less than four minutes left, with Stafford hitting Tutu Atwell for a first down.
The Bills then went on another scoring drive. They had a failed quarterback sneak at the 1, and it was costly as it forced Buffalo to end its first down. That left the Bills with just two timeouts after Allen scored, forcing them to go for an onside kick (which failed).
The Rams needed a win to keep the NFC West race, still a slim chance at a wild-card spot. They played with the urgency of a team that needs to pull off a major upset.
The Bills also had urgency, not playing well enough against a hot Rams team.
Chiefs extend lead for No. 1 seed
The Chiefs make a lot of their own luck, but they caught a break this season. They have been living in close games, winning every game this season that was decided by one score. Losing the Bills on Sunday is another big help for them.
Kansas City doesn’t need a No. 1 seed to make a Super Bowl, as we saw last season, but it can’t hurt. There’s still a chance for the Bills or even the 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers to catch Kansas City for the No. 1 seed and a bye, but it becomes more difficult with each loss.
The Bills had won seven in a row before Sunday, but were still chasing the Chiefs for the best record in the AFC. Buffalo’s bad day in Los Angeles makes that chase even more challenging.
