Mitchell Horucy
Asst. Sports Editor
I’m sure we’ve all heard these words before: another year, another disappointing end to the Bills’ season.
I have a lot of mixed emotions toward the game this past Sunday, and I’m sure a majority of Bills Mafia feel the same way.
On one hand, they shouldn’t have even been in this position after the 6-6 start this team had.
On the other hand, this year seemed to feel different after the Bills went on a five-game win streak to end the year.
Going into the bye week as the number 10 seed in the AFC and finishing as the two seed is something to be happy about, but how happy?
It all means nothing if you can’t get the ever-so-elusive Lombardi Trophy when the season ends.
However, this loss feels different than years prior.
Last season, Buffalo was outcoached, outplayed and dominated in every stage of the game.
In 2021, they were outcoached by the superior coach. 13 seconds on the clock, and they couldn’t finish out the game.
This season didn’t come to an end like the last two, though.
It didn’t lack any heartbreak, but the way the Bills lost was different.
This time, I think Buffalo just flat-out lost the game. As simple as it sounds, that’s what I think happened.
The Bills had a good game plan on offense going in, and they executed that game plan against a stellar Chiefs defense.
The defense obviously didn’t play great, but it was a very banged-up unit.
Tyler Matakevich, the Bills’ fourth-string linebacker, was getting snaps during this game.
With all that being said, they got stops when it mattered.
After a questionable flag on what would’ve been a third down stop, they stopped the Chiefs on the next set of downs.
The defense also bailed out a terrible fake punt with a forced turnover on the goaline.
The Bills lost to a great team who made one or two more plays than them, which was ultimately the difference in a game like this.
If Stefon Diggs makes the 70-yard catch on one of the best in-game balls ever thrown, are the Bills preparing for the AFC Championship?
If Marquez Valdes-Scantling doesn’t make a great catch to start the second half, does Buffalo get a stop?
However, those things didn’t happen and the Bills are preparing for free agency instead of a game against the Ravens.
Now this raises the question: what’s next for the Bills?
For people wanting an exciting, eventful offseason, that won’t be happening.
According to overthecap.com, the Bills are currently $50 million over the cap — not ideal.
This isn’t as big of a deal as it may seem, as the team can make some pretty easy moves to get below the cap limit.
Be on the lookout for the Bills to make moves such as restructuring Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs’ contracts.
They could extend cornerback Taron Johnson and left tackle Dion Dawkins, saving them money.
The team returns 10 of 11 starters on offense and 7 of 11 on defense, so most moves will be made for depth.
When free agency opens on March 13, the team will have a very similar free agency to the last few seasons.
Expect some under-the-radar moves that won’t cost the team much, but could be valuable pieces to the roster.
A couple players I want the Bills to target are safeties Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn, as well as edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.
Kyle Dugger is a big, athletic safety that would fit nicely into Sean McDermott’s defense.
At 27-years-old, he has four years under his belt, all with the Patriots.
Another safety the Bills should target is Jeremy Chinn.
He’s also a big, athletic safety, even bigger than Kyle Dugger.
He started his career at linebacker, but has since moved to safety.
This would also be a great addition for McDermott’s defense and would allow lots of versatility.
K’Lavon Chaisson is a former first round pick in 2020 who hasn’t produced at the pro level.
With only five sacks through 57 games, he isn’t the most appealing target.
However, he’s still just 24-years-old and a freak athlete, running a 4.6 forty-yard-dash.
They also have numerous free agents of their own that I’d like them to bring back: running back Ty Johnson, and defensive linemen DaQuan Jones, A.J. Epenesa and Tim Settle.
As important as free agency is, I think the draft is more important for this team going into a mini rebuild.
Draft day also happens to be one of my favorite days of the year.
The Bills currently have ten picks in this upcoming draft, but I don’t predict we make ten picks.
I think we’ll make a couple moves to get back into the third or fourth rounds.
They have to shift their roster from being veteran heavy to looking to get younger.
I won’t get into the draft too much, as I will likely put out a column around draft time with a more in-depth analysis.
For the games happening this weekend, I think both could go either way.
In the AFC Championship, I think the Ravens’ defense will be able to shut down Kansas City’s rushing attack.
The pass rush of the Ravens will also do enough to disrupt Patrick Mahomes and get him off rhythm.
On the other side of the ball, Lamar Jackson has to play a turnover, mistake-free game.
If he and the Ravens offense can sustain long drives, similar to what the Bills did, I think they can win.
In the NFC, the Lions have a very tough game against the 49ers.
Both teams operate similarly on offense with lots of play-action and lots of running.
The X-factor for this game will be the Lions defense.
They have been mediocre all season, but have stepped up in the playoffs the past two weeks.
If they can keep the 49ers off the field and allow the Lions offense to go to work, I think they have a real shot at pulling off the upset.
The 5th Quarter Championship Round Predictions!
The 5th Quarter will be airing on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on WCVF 88.9 FM and streaming live on fredoniaradio.com.
Current Standings:
Mitch 8-2
Matt: 7-3
Parker: 6-4
Kansas City vs Baltimore (Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. on CBS)
Favorite: Baltimore -4
Mitch: 27-23 Baltimore
Parker: 23-20 Baltimore
Matt: 24-21 Baltimore
Detroit vs San Francisco (Sunday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. on FOX)
Favorite: San Francisco -7.5
Mitch: 37-33 Detroit
Parker: 38-33 Detroit
Matt: 34-30 Detroit