Buffalo Bills fans once again endured a heartbreaking playoff exit at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs during Sunday night’s AFC Divisional Round matchup, sending Highmark Stadium into an emotional state.
Hyped up as the must-watch AFC playoff battle, the Bills and Chiefs went toe-to-toe as both teams were well within striking distance until everything collapsed for Buffalo. The same fans that showed up to shovel snow for the past few weeks at Highmark Stadium were dealt a blow heavier than any wintertime snowfall, watching the Bills squander a chance at tying the Chiefs in the fourth quarter and potentially moving on to the AFC title game.
In the fourth quarter, with 1:47 left, Buffalo placekicker Tyler Bass missed a game-tying field goal attempt from 44 yards — wide right — which allowed the Chiefs to ride their 3-point lead to a sixth consecutive trip to the AFC championship game. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, not with an ounce of care for the heartbroken thousands in attendance, waived goodbye to the (tear-filled) Buffalo faithful.
Going down to the wire with Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Maholmes gave the Chiefs just enough to potentially seize a fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last five seasons. Maholmes threw for 215 yards, recording two touchdowns while completing 17-of-23 passing attempts. He also set an NFL record with 13 career playoff wins before turning 30 years old — surpassing Tom Brady.
