Buffalo Bills: 5 initial takeaways from 27-24 loss vs. Chiefs

4.) Khalil Shakir has earned starting rights going into next season

Khalil Shakir’s production picked up the last couple of games in the season and headed into the postseason as well. With the injury to Gabe Davis, making him inactive against the Chiefs, this gave the opportunity to Shakir to make an impact in this game. He led the Bills with 9 targets and finished second amongst receivers with 7 catches for 44 yards and one touchdown. He has been involved with the offense ever since Joe Brady took over the offensive coordinator position.

Shakir has a case to be in the starting lineup going into next year as he can take the next step in being a bigger contributor in this offense.

3.) Buffalo offense had no big plays

Despite putting up 24 points, the Bills’ offense had no plays of 20+ yards down the field. While clock management was not an issue, they could not find a rhythm for making the explosive plays everyone knows they can do. They had two big throws down the field to wideouts Stefon Diggs and Trent Sherfield, both of which fell incomplete after both receivers dropped the ball. Buffalo was able to establish the run game, but the Chiefs were able to take away the potential big plays.

On the other hand, the Chiefs’ had 8 plays of 20+ yards on offense which ultimately took the Bills’ defense out of the game. Even on carries by Josh Allen, no plays went for atleast 20 yards which hurt Buffalo in the end. This was not the performance that Bills fans are used to seeing from the offense and it could not have come at a worse time against a worse opponent.