"Buffalo Bills: Another Heartbreaking Playoff Exit"

A team must go through battles of unknown territories; while challenging
others on many quests. Sailing through parts unknown, climbing hills,
peaks and valleys, you either find a way or be heartbroken as the end
result. This has been the Buffalo Bills playoff downfall under Josh Allen.
Always good enough in the regular season, mediocre come postseason
games.

Another playoff exit in Denver Saturday afternoon, the Bills suffered a
heartbreaking loss in overtime 33-30; which felt more like a funeral in
the locker room. Reigning MVP Josh Allen was Clark Kent early on
before attempting to take the suit off and reveal his cape. Buffalo beat
themselves in the first half without having no traction. Turnovers, crucial
mistakes unraveled the Bills. Yet, they still had a chance to somehow
lose this game.

Following the loss, multiple players were emotional during postgame
interviews. Knowing within the bigger picture, this was their biggest and
easiest path to winning the AFC. No Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick
Mahomes to interfere. No Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson. It was
for the taking and slipped away into parts unknown. The agony of defeat
hit this team worse than any other heartbreaking playoff exit. Allen
visibly emotional after taking accountability of letting his team down.
Former head coach Sean McDermott (more on him later) went nuclear
on the officiating which some would argue.

For Buffalo, it's the wash, rinse and repeat in January. Very good regular
season team; average at best when they need to be greater than their
opponents. This season started off with a bang, it felt like Buffalo was
going to erase playoff blunders. Allen was the main reason Buffalo won

plenty of games; while taking fair share of losses. Adversity can make or
break your morale in achieving greatness. Buffalo never felt like a
serious contender middle of the season.

Flaws in their roster with no needle movers on the receiving side have
doomed Buffalo since Stefon Diggs left in 2024. By committee, a unit
which never had a bonafide number one was just a group who would
come and go. It was by fault the Bills haven't gotten this area right.
Drafting Keon Coleman hasn't worked out due to lack of maturity and
being in McDermott's dog house. Veterans Curtis Samuel, Brandin
Cooks, Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakur aren't going to scare opposing
secondaries. What made it work was tight ends Dawson Knox and
Dalton Kincaid; who can create mismatches. Even with two tight ends, a
receiving core never looked comfortable.

Allen was "Superman" one play before turning back to "Clark Kent."
Running back James Cook was basically their saving wild card who
could give positive yardage. It was a couple plays he can take it to the
house. A very good offensive line who didn't hold up against Denver's
defensive front came with consequences. It was countless, crucial
hiccups which came with a price.

None was more crucial than the ruling of Allen's pass to Cooks been
ruled an interception. It became the biggest talking point of "IF" a
completed pass should've been the call or stayed an interception. The
agony set in and Buffalo never got momentum in their favor. But... For
all the breakdowns of this heartbreak, let me turn my focus to Sean
McDermott.

Upon the loss Saturday afternoon, McDermott was fired Monday
afternoon by Buffalo. Nine seasons under his tenure, two AFC title
games, five AFC East division titles. But falling short when it mattered.

But the damning comments made during his postgame interview made
fans say: "Tell em coach!" The fact McDermott attempted to defend his
team and ruling upon further review, it wasn't good enough. There was
no way a run it back in 2026 was doable.

General manager Brandon Beane received an extension and
McDermott was fired. Now, the real power struggle in my humble
opinion was lack of hitting on draft picks. Two Pro Bowlers in Allen and
Cook... You mean to tell me with all the above average starters and
nobody else is even a bonafide superstar? Let alone a Pro Bowler?

Now, from the outside looking inward McDermott questioned a talent
disparity if he could make it work. Buffalo "TRIED" to bring in veteran
guys, but here's the issue: out of their prime and bad contracts don't add
up. Von Miller was given a very high priced contract; eventually cut a
couple seasons later. Joey Bosa, aging edge rusher who hasn't been
productive in a couple seasons. Amari Cooper, Curtis Samuel, Brandin
Cooks, all of which haven't moved the needle for a team with Super
Bowl aspirations.

McDermott was on his way out if the team didn't reach Santa Clara for
Super Bowl 60. Even if another AFC title game ran through New
England, the writing was sprayed painted loud and clear. Some
questioned the firing after losing Saturday; while others felt it should've
happened in 2024. Only one losing season which came in 2018 during
Allen's rookie year. And now, McDermott is accepting the biggest playoff
loss in his coaching career.

With coaching vacancies left in Arizona, Baltimore, Cleveland, Las
Vegas and Pittsburgh, which of these teams will be on the phone
scheduling an interview? Could he take a year off and regroup his
mental state like some coaches usually do? Will he look at the

remaining jobs and pick one which will suit his ambitions in building
another irrelevant franchise and making them a contender?

McDermott's options are slim and will need to understand where the
NFL landscape is. Upon his next job, hiring a great offensive play caller
will go the distance. Either way, Buffalo now enters a very important
offseason and hiring their next head coach who'll vastly improve this
team. As Allen enters his prime, these years can't be wasted and not
win at least one Super Bowl. It takes a village, but a strong foundation to
withstand adversity makes franchises more equipped to handle high
aspirations and expectations. It's a very appealing job but Beane and
his front office must make sure the next guy is one who can get them
over the hump.