5 Things We Learned About the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round

5. Buffalo Needs a Domed Stadium

Upstate New York has had some memorable snow games over the years. But after two weeks of sub-optimal weather, causing yet another Bills' game to be delayed, it might be time to acknowledge that Buffalo needs a domed stadium.  It's no coincidence that the Bills saw a surge in the walking wounded as soon as the winter weather showed up. Players couldn't do enough to keep their bodies warm, resulting in several injuries over the past few weeks.  Sure, some of the luster would be lost by watching a Bills game indoors. But when players and fans can't even make it through the game, it might be time to call an audible and re-design the experience.

1. Injuries Decimated the Bills

Everyone saw this, but we'll say it out loud anyway. Injuries decimated the Bills at the worst time of year.  The AFC East champs ended the regular season on a five-game winning streak, carrying that momentum into a Wild Card showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Slowly, key personnel fell off as the season progressed before the Bills were left with a shell of a roster.  Buffalo was without their instrumental wide receiver Gabe Davis against the Kansas City Chiefs, and they also missed Taylor Rapp, Christian Benford, and Baylon Spector on Sunday. That's without even considering the handful of players forced out of the Divisional Round with in-game injuries.  The Bills gave the Chiefs everything they could handle, but the outcome probably would have been different if Buffalo had a full roster.

2. Buffalo Needs to Learn How to Win in the Postseason

Every year, people rejoice as they sing Auld Lang Syne to ring in the new year. And as soon as the calendar flips to January, Bills fans get to start a countdown of their own. In their version, they get to count how many weeks until their team is officially eliminated from Super Bowl contention. The countdown is painfully short. Week 18...Wild Card Round...Divisional Round. Every season for the past three years, the Bills have failed to make it out of the second round of the playoffs.  After another playoff demise was orchestrated by Mahomes and the Chiefs, surely, the Bills hope old acquaintance should be forgotten.

3. Josh Allen Deserves Better

Add the Bills quarterback to the list of professional athletes who deserve better. Mike Trout in the MLB, Connor McDavid in the NHL, and Luka Doncic in the NBA have established themselves as pre-eminent forces in their respective leagues. Like Josh Allen, none of those players get the outcomes they deserve for what they bring to their teams. This season, playoffs included, the Bills totaled 58 offensive touchdowns. Allen accounted for 51 of those. He threw for 33 and ran in 18 more. When they needed him the most, Allen found a sixth gear. The two-time Pro Bowler ran for three touchdowns in the postseason, accumulating 146 yards on 20 carries. Allen did it all and was rewarded with another early playoff exit for his efforts. 

4. The Sun is Setting on Stefon Diggs' Career

Wide receivers have small windows to perform at an elite level. Sadly, we're witnessing the beginning of the end for Bills wideout Stefon Diggs. Diggs hasn't looked like himself all season. The usually sure-handed receiver put up a five-year low with 11.1 yards per reception. Further, his 1,138 receiving yards were the fewest in a season since playing 15 games back in 2019.  Diggs' year is best summarized by his dropped pass in the fourth quarter. He had space, he was 50 yards downfield, and the Bills desperately needed him to make a play, but the ball slipped through his hands.  It's a sad reminder that brevity robs us all of the best we have to offer. Diggs included. 

5. Buffalo Needs a Domed Stadium

Upstate New York has had some memorable snow games over the years. But after two weeks of sub-optimal weather, causing yet another Bills' game to be delayed, it might be time to acknowledge that Buffalo needs a domed stadium.  It's no coincidence that the Bills saw a surge in the walking wounded as soon as the winter weather showed up. Players couldn't do enough to keep their bodies warm, resulting in several injuries over the past few weeks.  Sure, some of the luster would be lost by watching a Bills game indoors. But when players and fans can't even make it through the game, it might be time to call an audible and re-design the experience.