Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, stays in bounds as he throws under pressure during the second half of an NFL football game against Kansas City on Dec. 10 in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/The Associated Press
Sean McDermott thought for a moment that a difficult week for himself and the Buffalo Bills would end with one last gut punch, an audacious touchdown pass by Kansas City with just over a minute left to steal a win Sunday.
Then the Bills’ coach saw the yellow flag on the field.
The pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce, which was then lateralled across the field to Kadarius Toney, for the 49-yard score was called back by an offside penalty on none other than Toney himself.
And when the Bills proceeded to hold KC on downs, they escaped from Arrowhead Stadium with a heart-stopping and head-scratching 20-17 victory.
“As the play unfolded,” McDermott said, “Kelce got wide open. The play after he caught the ball, I’ve never seen a play like that in the NFL. But I saw the referees signalling that direction. I didn’t know if it was a pick or what. It turned out to be offside.”
Rarely is offside called on an offensive player. But replays showed that Toney’s foot was clearly across the line of scrimmage.
That didn’t make the call sit any better with Mahomes, who chased after three different officials for an explanation. Or with Kansas City coach Andy Reid, who was still incensed after walking out of the locker room afterward.
“It’s a bit embarrassing for the National Football League for that to take place,” Reid said.
It was the second straight week Kansas City (8-5) was dealing with questionable officiating. Last week in Green Bay, they were left wondering why pass interference was not called on a pass intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the closing minutes of that game.
“Loss for words, man,” Mahomes said. “To end another game and we’re talking about referees, it’s bad for the NFL.”
It was good for the Bills (7-6), though, and they sure needed something positive to happen.
Their week began with questions swirling around pass rusher Von Miller, who turned himself into police during their bye and is facing a charge of third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman. And the week ended with criticism aimed at McDermott, who in 2019 had used the hijackers from Sept. 11, 2001, in a team meeting to stress the importance of communication, and was left apologizing again – just as he did after realizing his mistake four years ago.
“Just so thankful. I’m grateful for so many things,” McDermott said. “So many people that reached out. Andy Reid, many of their staff after the game. I know quite a few of the coaches on their staff. They’re a class act. I appreciate that.”
The Bills’ Josh Allen threw for 233 yards with touchdowns running and throwing, though he also threw an interception for the ninth consecutive game. James Cook had 58 yards rushing and caught five passes for 83 yards and a score.
The Bills had been 2-6 in games decided by six points or fewer, and they had lost a lead in the final two minutes in three losses.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of wins. We all know that,” Allen said. “But the defence played fantastic.”
Mahomes finished with 271 yards passing and a touchdown with an interception, and Rashee Rice had seven catches for 72 yards and the score. But it wasn’t enough to keep Kansas City from losing for the fourth time in six games.
“It’s a gut check,” KC guard Trey Smith said. “You got to dig down deep. We still have games left to play.”
Kansas City continued a recent track record of lousy starts on Sunday. Mahomes was intercepted by A.J. Epenesa on their first series, they punted on each of their next three, and it wasn’t until the closing minutes of the first half that Kansas City was able to sustain a drive that ended with Jerick McKinnon’s touchdown run.
By that point, the Bills had already reached the end zone twice.
The first touchdown came when Cook was unchecked coming out of the backfield, caught a flick from Allen and breezed 25 yards for the score. The second came at the end of a 73-yard drive, when Allen kept the ball over the right side and was stood up at the Kansas City four, only for the entire Bills offence to gather behind him and shove into the end zone.
If the Eagles have the “tush push,” the Bills offered their “team trample.”
Buffalo added a field goal out of halftime, but momentum quickly tilted Kansas City’s way. Mahomes led a nine-play, 75-yard march that ended with Rice’s touchdown catch, then their defence forced back-to-back punts, before another drive ended with Butker’s tying field goal with 11 1/2 minutes to go.
The Bills had one last scoring drive in them, which ended with Tyler Bass’s go-ahead field goal with 1:54 left in the game.
Kansas City thought it did, too, until they saw a penalty flag on the field.
“I’ve played seven years in the National Football League and never had offensive offside called,” Mahomes said, still seething in his postgame news conference. “You want until a minute left to make a call like that?”
INJURIES
Buffalo lost Epenesa in the first quarter, shortly after he had batted a pass into the air and picked it off. … FS Micah Hyde left late in the first half with a stinger. He was replaced by Taylor Rapp in the second half.
Kansas City RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and LB Drue Tranquill (concussion) were inactive.
UP NEXT
Buffalo plays Dallas next Sunday.
Kansas City visits New England next Sunday.