ORCHARD PARK, NY - Two days after their crushing 38-31 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills returned to Highmark Stadium for locker room cleanout and exit interviews. For a second straight year, a team that looked poised for a deep postseason run fell flat in the Wild Card round.
"This one stings more than last year," said veteran linebacker Matt Milano. "We had everything lined up-momentum, home field, health. We just didn't finish."
The Bills entered the playoffs riding an eight-game win streak and boasting one of the league's most balanced offenses. But when the dust settled Saturday, their defense had surrendered 38 points, and the final image was Josh Allen's last pass hitting the turf at the goal line.
"That's on me," Allen reiterated to reporters Monday morning. "I've replayed it in my head a hundred times already. We're five yards away from keeping the season alive. I've got to make that throw."
Tight end Dawson Knox, who had gotten wide open on the 4th-and-goal play, had nothing but support for his quarterback. "I'll go to battle with 17 any day of the week. He's the reason we were even in that spot."
The loss also casts a shadow over the future of several key players. Middle linebacker Joe Andreessen, right tackle Brandon Parker, and left guard Isaiah Wynn are among the starters set to hit free agency.
"It's tough walking out of here not knowing if it's for the last time," said Andreessen, who led the team in tackles this season. "I love this locker room. I love this city."
Coach Sean McDermott remained optimistic during his closing remarks, emphasizing that the team remains "right there" despite back-to-back early exits. "We're not broken. We're disappointed, sure, but this team is still built to compete. The work starts now."
