The Buffalo Bills on Monday are closing the books on their 2023 season after their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. It was a close game that ultimately saw the Bills miss a field goal late and come up short by a final score of 27-24.
While watching the game, it was clear that the Buffalo Bills had a game plan to slow the game down and try to wear down the Chiefs. The offense was methodical as they would average almost 10 players on their eight drives. The 4.7 yards per play average was not something that has been expected from Josh Allen and the offense.
However, it was what this team needed in this game as a way to help their defense. The Bills defense was dealing with a multitude of injuries as they had ruled out Terrel Bernard, Christian Benford and Taylor Rapp for this game. The absence of two starters (Bernard and Benford) combined with the absences of Matt Milano and Tre'Davious White left the defense very short-handed.
The way the Bills were able to keep the offense on the field shortened the game and limited the opportunities of Patrick Mahomes and that offense. It was clear when the Chiefs were on the field, the defense was outmatched as the Chiefs averaged almost double the yards per play than the Bills at 7.7 yards.
The coaching staff understood what they faced and with the injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the pressure was on the offense to extend drives and stay on the field. It certainly achieved that until late in the game when the Bills had two three and outs in their final three drives, which was the only three and outs all game.
It is certainly a tough loss as the Buffalo Bills seemed to do everything right and didn't really beat themselves. They didn't have any turnovers, had under 30 penalty yards and clearly won the time of possession battle but somehow still couldn't get past the Chiefs. Unfortunately, even if a team has a good game plan it doesn't mean a win and that was the case Sunday night.