They say all good things must come to an end and for the Buffalo Bills, that time has come.
The Bills, playing in their first AFC Championship Game since the 1993-94 season, fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-24 in Sunday night’s game, ending their season just short of a trip to the Super Bowl.
The Bills finish their best season in recent memory that consisted of a 13-3 regular season record, their first AFC East title since 1996, two postseason wins, and multiple team records broken.
GAME RECAP LINKS:
- Final score, recap, highlights: Kansas City Chiefs 38, Buffalo Bills 24 (D&C.com)
- Bills go conservative in AFC title game; Chiefs win big to advance to Super Bowl (Observations) (Syracuse.com)
- Quarter by quarter: Bills’ offense can’t keep pace with potent Chiefs (BuffaloNews.com)
- Buffalo Bills 24, Kansas City Chiefs 38: Rapid recap and notes (BuffaloRumblings.com)
- 5 takeaways from the Bills’ 38-24 loss to the Chiefs (BillsWire.com)
- Bills Postgame Spotlight | Kansas City Chiefs 38, Buffalo Bills 24 | AFC Championship game (BuffaloBills.com)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
MEDIA:
The final from Kansas City. ? pic.twitter.com/oL05Mi0fD7
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 25, 2021
And just like that, the Buffalo Bills season has come to an end. Hell of a run. pic.twitter.com/YmaCXZk9Zi
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 25, 2021
Thank you fans for a memorable year! #BILLSMAFIA . We have unfinished business so see you next season!
— Kim Pegula (@KimPegula) January 25, 2021
We've got each other's backs, #BillsMafia.
We'll grow from this. pic.twitter.com/GwgZKMMorZ
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 25, 2021
Stefon Diggs is the only Bills player left on the field. He’s watching the Chiefs ceremony. pic.twitter.com/IzTuXuQ0oT
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) January 25, 2021
It was a season we’ll never forget, in a year that was challenging for all of us.
You were with us every step of the way, #BillsMafia. Thank you for being the best there is.
We’ll be back. pic.twitter.com/oOvMKKQYOj
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/Marcel_LJ/status/1353543918818914305?s=20
Pretty powerful picture from the end of the game. One of the major reasons to be optimistic about the future is the emergence of this combo. Diggs was exceptional this season and Allen made a massive leap #BillsMafia
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) pic.twitter.com/NDeuTKudaK
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 25, 2021
QB Josh Allen, HC Sean McDermott and others talk to the media after our loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. #BUFvsKC | #BillsMafia https://t.co/tjNsgOi1b3
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 25, 2021
It was an ugly, sobering loss. A failure on all fronts.
But, it does not remove what they accomplished. This was a special #Bills team, one that undid a lot of demons staring at the franchise. A massive step forward. And now, a new ceiling to try and bust through moving forward.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) January 25, 2021
If you knew before the season the Bills would be in the AFC Championship you would've signed up for it in a second. That won't make tonight any easier, nor should it, but it was an exceptional season from a team with a young core that should be good for a long time.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 25, 2021
The final 38-24 Chiefs. Only one team ends the season happy. A hell of a run by the boys. Thanks for all the support this season #BillsMafia
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) January 25, 2021
This. They’ll be back. #Bills pic.twitter.com/mVIcBsybvJ
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) January 25, 2021
Great year for the @BuffaloBills gonna be a problem for a long time with #Allen
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) January 25, 2021
“Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy that it happened” – wooden sign I saw in a target and how I feel about this Bills season #BillsMafia
— Duffy on WCMF (@DuffyOnWCMF) January 25, 2021
The Bills aren’t going to reach the Super Bowl this season, but this is a fun team to watch and their time will come. Great fan base, lots of players to root for.
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) January 25, 2021
People are shooting off fireworks downtown. The “Let’s Go Buffalo” honks are starting. #BILLSMAFIA might be hurting, but they seem grateful for a historic season, already. @WGRZ
— Julianne Pelusi (@JuliannePelusi) January 25, 2021
Significant growth from this team and from individuals from this loss. Proud of this team and grateful for all of the sacrifice that so many in this organization had to make to have this season run as smoothly and successfully is it did. Go Bills!#BILLSMAFIA
— Eric Wood (@EWood70) January 25, 2021
"It's going to fuel us. I have no doubt in my mind we will be back… we're young and we're only going to get better."
-Josh Allen on what he'll take away from this AFC Championship loss.#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/7rJ8k4DEKd
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 25, 2021
Regardless of the outcome I’m proud of this team and I’m looking forward to the future. #BillsMafia till the day I die!
— Aaron Williams (@ajwilliams23) January 25, 2021
Thank you #BIllsMafia
— AWG | Tone (@A_B_Williams26) January 25, 2021
Buffalo thank you for a hell of a season. You guys (The Mafia) has been like no other from the start. We lost to a great team but believe me The Buffalo Bills will come back stronger then no other. Love You #BillsMafia and, Love you #Buffalo .. ShnowMan #Out ☃️✌?
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) January 25, 2021
As always, all glory to God.
We will be back. #BILLSMAFIA— Dawson Knox (@dawson_knox) January 25, 2021
"We didn't bring our 'A' game… we'll remember this in the offseason."
-Jerry Hughes#BillsMafia
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 25, 2021
He's got a passion for the game maybe only matched by 17.. Gotta bunch of warriors on this team that'll fight to the end. Proud of these guys and what's ahead… https://t.co/EhgEkfy9vz
— Matt Barkley (@MattBarkley) January 25, 2021
He's got a passion for the game maybe only matched by 17.. Gotta bunch of warriors on this team that'll fight to the end. Proud of these guys and what's ahead… https://t.co/EhgEkfy9vz
— Matt Barkley (@MattBarkley) January 25, 2021
Thank you, @BuffaloBills. This season was so freaking special. Already looking forward to the next one. #BillsMafia for life.
— Del Reid ? (@DelReid) January 25, 2021
hell of a season. what a great ride. Most fun from a Bills team in an awfully long time. Bring on the 2021 season #BillsMafia
— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 25, 2021
Proud to be a Bill. Thank you Bills Mafia, you're the best ??
— Matt Barkley (@MattBarkley) January 25, 2021
That one hurt. Love this team. Love this coaching staff. They’ll be back.
— Maddy Glab (@MadGlab) January 25, 2021
Josh Allen: "I didn't perform well enough for this team."
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) January 25, 2021
Josh Allen said he is "disappointed" in himself for letting his emotions get the best of him at the end of the game, and
"it doesn't sit well" with him how chippy the game ended— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) January 25, 2021
“They were the better team tonight. The Buffalo Bills will be back.”@BuffaloBills head coach Sean McDermott describes his team's AFC Championship Game loss as a learning experience. pic.twitter.com/8EOozvroty
— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) January 25, 2021
The @BuffaloBills had an incredible season. They were a thrill to watch and I know they’ll be back in the hunt next year. What the Pegulas and the front office did to turn this organization around is impressive and to be commended.
— Darryl Talley (@DarrylTalley) January 25, 2021
Micah Hyde: I'm proud of what we were able to accomplish this year and I'm proud of the guys in this locker room
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 25, 2021
Sean McDermott says he thought about going for it on 4th and goal…we were having trouble coming up with points and I wanted to make sure we'd get points.
McDermott says he now might have gone for the TD on one of those red zone trips #BillsMafia
— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) January 25, 2021
Soooo much to be proud of! You were the best of 2020 and 2021 thus far! Thank you for renewing our hope in so much more than football!
Amazing season!! We love you!
Thank you @BuffaloBills and #BILLSMAFIA— Jill Kelly (@jillmkelly12) January 25, 2021
#BillMafia thank you for love all year no matter what. You are unbelievable fans❤️ so proud to be on this team with these guys.??
— Cody Ford ✞ (@Cody_Ford74) January 25, 2021
What. A. Year. #BillsMafia @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/Xl86dtlALo
— Heather Ly (@HeatherLyWGRZ) January 25, 2021
Jerry Hughes on Josh Allen: “We try to tell him he doesn’t have to put the whole organization on his shoulders… he’s got us to where we wanted to be, so for us on defense, we gotta help him out.” @WGRZ
— Julianne Pelusi (@JuliannePelusi) January 25, 2021
Police are preparing for Bills fans to make their way to the Buffalo Airport to welcome the team back. ? Police will be handing out masks for people who need one. Plane is expected to land in the early morning. @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/mbJ87uBBNd
— Sarah Minkewicz (@SarahMinkewicz) January 25, 2021
My @BuffaloBills had a great season and we will be back next year. I’m very proud of the team. #GoBills!
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) January 25, 2021
Dismount. ?
Hell of a season. Good young team.
Great fanbase. ?? pic.twitter.com/AX1JEkmn3x
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) January 25, 2021
Buffalo Bills fans are starting to arrive at the airport. #billsmafia @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/SIvOtj3WCP
— Sarah Minkewicz (@SarahMinkewicz) January 25, 2021
What a bummer. A season to be proud of though. What a game @J_poyer21 !!! SO proud of you as always!! ?⭐️? We will be back! ❤️?❤️? #BILLSMAFIA
— Rachel (@Rachel__Bush) January 25, 2021
Hell of a season! We'll be back?
— ZMO✝️ (@PresMoss2) January 25, 2021
KC offense had 7 drives if you take out kneel down before halftime and running out clock end game. Got into Bills red zone on 6 of 7 drives and got a TD on 5 of those 6 trips. Were 5-5 in goal to go.
— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 25, 2021
I didn't think KC D would be that good. Bills offense had just 2 TD's on 10 drives and one of those TD's came on a drive start at the KC 3 yard line.
— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 25, 2021
Bills FG decisions:
1) opening drive, 4th+3 at KC 33
2) :14 left 2Q, down 21-9. 4th and goal at KC 2
3) 3Q down 24-12. 4th+3 at KC 8— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 25, 2021
Kelce/Hill combined for 22 of Mahomes 29 completions and 290 of his 325 pass yards
— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 25, 2021
The Bills team busses are pulling out of Arrowhead following tonight’s loss pic.twitter.com/QbBiKi2EwF
— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) January 25, 2021
Tyler Bass drills the 51 yard FG on the Bills opening drive.
Bass becomes the first NFL kicker since the Rams Greg Zuerlein (2018 season) to hit multiple 50+ yarders in the same postseason.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 24, 2021
GAME PREVIEW:
After starting the postseason with wins against the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, the Buffalo Bills (15-3) and Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) will face off on Sunday in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Eastern on CBS.
This is the second meeting between these two teams this season. The Chiefs beat the Bills 26-17, in the pouring rain on October 19 at Bills Stadium.
One of the biggest storylines for this game is the health of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. He left last Sunday’s game against the Browns with a concussion. Mahomes is also dealing with a toe injury.
GAME WEEK LINKS:
- 5 things fans need to know about Bills at Chiefs | AFC Championship Game (BuffaloBills.com)
- 7 storylines to watch for during Bills at Chiefs (BillsWire.com)
- Bills preparing for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes despite his uncertain status for Sunday (WIVB.com)
- McDermott, Bills coaching staff to lean on experience in AFC Championship (RochesterFirst.com)
- Gabriel Davis and Vernon Butler not practicing for Buffalo Bills on Wednesday (BuffaloRumblings.com)
- Bills Today | 4 keys for a Bills victory in the AFC Championship game (BuffaloBills.com)
- Who the Bills protected on their practice squad for AFC Championship (BillsWire.com)
- KC won the first battle, but Bills-Chiefs Part II will be different (RochesterFirst.com)
- ‘It’s the most important game because it’s the next one’ | Experienced coaches guide players into the AFC Championship game (BuffaloBills.com)
- Gabriel Davis, Vernon Butler are questionable for Bills at Chiefs | AFC Championship game (BuffaloBills.com)
- Patrick Mahomes cleared of concussion protocol, will play against Buffalo Bills (BuffaloRumblings.com)
- Bills at Chiefs | How to watch, stream, and listen to the AFC Championship game (BuffaloBills.com)
- Bills elevate Kenny Stills, Dane Jackson from practice squad (BillsWire.com)
GAME WEEK MEDIA:
THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP IS TODAY‼️#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Ok0GyzGlPX
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 24, 2021
#LeadingTheCharge: AFC Conference Championship (#BUFvsKC) game release: https://t.co/4zrNjUIDb7
? Arrowhead Stadium
? 6:40 PM EST
? CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Evan Washburn, Tracy Wolfson & Jay Feely)
? @WGR550 / @WestwoodOne pic.twitter.com/7BqESeEqAa— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 19, 2021
BUFFALO vs. THE WORLD@KyleBrandt | @Surface pic.twitter.com/3t1hNvOHik
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 24, 2021
2️⃣4️⃣ HOURS!!#BUFvsKC | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/YWcKHACs6t
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 23, 2021
SOON. ?@EatonOffice | #BUFvsKC pic.twitter.com/s0YS12O4Tt
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 23, 2021
It's been a season unlike any other, but there's no one else we'd want by our side.
We love you, #BillsMafia.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 23, 2021
Keeping it clean for the AFC Championship game. ?#BUFvsKC | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/aS8JkLyR3N
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 20, 2021
Putting in that Championship Week work. ?#BUFvsKC photos: https://t.co/kgCWu21jeb pic.twitter.com/gOWk7FFEpH
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 20, 2021
It’s AFC Championship Week.
Steve Tasker and Chris Brown are LIVE breaking down #BUFvsKC as they hear from QB Josh Allen, CB Tre’Davious White and more!#BUFvsKC | #BillsMafia https://t.co/sQH3rTjNJt
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 20, 2021
A championship matchup that only happens every 27 years.
Super Bowl QBs explain why Josh Allen is ready for his moment in #BUFvsKC: https://t.co/mgoatHVhzc pic.twitter.com/0MCSEPP1vB
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 22, 2021
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].