Opinion: Why is Everyone Shouting?

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Buffalo's Week 11 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs felt satisfying for many reasons. It marked Patrick Mahomes' first-ever loss in Buffalo. It spoiled Kansas City’s hopes for a perfect season. Most importantly, the Bills avoided the mistakes that have haunted them in previous matchups against Kansas City. 

This time, Sean McDermott trusted his MVP-caliber quarterback, Josh Allen, in a critical moment. Leading by two with 2:20 remaining, the Bills faced a fourth-and-two at Kansas City’s 30-yard line. In years past, McDermott might have opted for a field goal to extend the lead to five points. Doing so would’ve handed the ball back to Mahomes, giving him a chance to steal the game. Instead, McDermott chose aggression. 

 Allen not only converted the fourth down but also ran for a touchdown. His score gave Buffalo a nine-point lead with two minutes left, effectively sealing the victory. Everyone in the stadium understood Allen’s play had ended Kansas City’s hopes of a comeback.

Still, it’s time for Bills Mafia to temper their excitement. What does this win truly change? 

A big victory over a top AFC contender deserves celebration, but Buffalo has been here before. This type of euphoric optimism often surges through the city after a win against Kansas City. The truth is this game changes little in the grand scheme—for better or worse. 

Kansas City remains Buffalo’s Achilles' heel, but the problem runs deeper. Historical trends suggest Buffalo’s 30-21 win over Kansas City was expected, not narrative-shattering. The Bills have already proven they can compete with anyone in the NFL during the regular season. 

Since Josh Allen became Buffalo’s full-time starter, the Bills are 4-1 against the Chiefs in the regular season. Their lone loss came during the COVID-19-disrupted 2020 campaign. Over the last few years, Buffalo has consistently been a thorn in Kansas City’s side during the regular season. 

The playoffs, however, tell a different story. The Bills are 0-3 against Kansas City in postseason match ups, with each loss more painful than the last. Kansas City owns the narrative because they’ve consistently triumphed when it matters most. A regular-season win does nothing to shift that narrative. 

Beyond the optics, Buffalo’s Week 11 win did little to alter the AFC playoff picture. Entering the game, the Bills held the AFC's second seed and a commanding lead in the AFC East. After the win, their position remained unchanged. While the victory moved Buffalo slightly closer to Kansas City in the race for the top AFC seed, the Bills still need help to claim that spot. The Chiefs must lose at least one more game for Buffalo to have a realistic shot at overtaking them. 

Meanwhile, the AFC East stays firmly in Buffalo’s control. The Miami Dolphins kept pace with a Week 11 win but face an uphill climb. Miami has already lost both head-to-head match ups against Buffalo, giving the Bills a critical tiebreaker. For the Dolphins to overtake Buffalo, they would need to win out and hope the Bills collapse. 

The New York Jets and New England Patriots face even steeper challenges. Both would need perfection and a Buffalo meltdown to reenter the division race. 

Buffalo’s win against Kansas City was impressive yet predictable. It didn’t rewrite the Bills' narrative or significantly alter their postseason outlook. The real test lies ahead, where Buffalo must finally exorcise their Kansas City demons in the playoffs. Until then, Week 11 stands as a memorable but ultimately inconsequential regular-season victory. 

That said, fans, get loud. Get excited about this Buffalo Bills team because they are good—very good. But remember, this game was only a battle. The war isn’t over. The Chiefs will return, better and tougher than ever.

featured image courtesy of Athlon Sports

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