The Buffalo Bills suffered a heartbreaking AFC championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after an controversial fourth-down decision. With just over three minutes left in the game, the Bills were trailing 29-22 and called a quarterback sneak on Josh Allen at the Chiefs’ 41-yard line. Referee Clete Blakeman ruled Allen short on the field during initial review but upheld the decision after a challenge. Allen appeared to gain enough ground for the first down, yet the play was clocked on the spot by both Spot and SidelineOfficials due to a lack of clear view.
The Chiefs capitalized immediately, scoring a touchdown and winning the game 32-29. The Bills’ failed fourth-down effort led to a turnover that gave Mahomes and Watson their opportunity to extend their lead. Despite trailing, Buffalo responded with a dramatic ninth-play, 70-yard touchdown to tie the game but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Chiefs’ final field-goal drive for the win.
The coaching staff’s decision not to call timeout on fourth-and-1 at the critical moment will likely face criticism in the weeks-to-months following the Super Bowl. The loss drops Buffalo out of contention for a third-straight AFC championship, while Kansas City secures its third Super Bowl berth and moves closer to an unprecedented three-game title streak.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/afc-championship-bills-denied-1st-down-on-controversial-spot-at-critical-juncture-in-loss-to-chiefs-022532157.html