Coach Sean McDermott got lucky in the Buffalo Bills’ season-ending loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium.
McDermott was lucky. After McDermott faked a field goal at the Buffalo 30-yard line, Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman cleared the ball out of the end zone twice for the decision. And McDermott was lucky. The Bills crowd woke up Monday morning and cursed Tyler Bass’ miss to the right to tie the game at 27 with 1:47 left.
These two plays will make most people forget about McDermott’s fake plays. There’s probably a good reason for that. But that doesn’t mean McDermott’s performance in a crunch is questionable.
“We had a hard time stopping them,” McDermott told reporters after Buffalo lost 27-24. “He was 3 at the time and I think he wanted to be aggressive. You only get one chance. Obviously it didn’t work. But that’s the decision I made and you have to live with it. Then we stopped there and gave the ball back.
Aggressiveness is important, especially in the play-offs. The Bills saw what happened the last time Patrick Mahomes and company had the ball. But instead of talking directly to special teams player Damar Hamlin, why not put Unicorn quarterback Josh Allen on the field to make the fourth and fifth calls?
“Again, I wouldn’t do that. It’s probably going to be an element of surprise,” McDermott said.
Yes, the element of surprise.
“We felt good on the pitch during the week. I understand what you’re saying about stopping Josh (Allen). I was on stage in terms of the element of surprise in that situation, but obviously I didn’t do that. “But I will be aggressive,” he said.
Fortunately for McDermott, the decision did not have costly repercussions, as it could have been devastating. Kanas City would have extended the lead to 34-24 if Hardman hadn’t hit the ball in the end zone, caused a Buffalo turnover, or if the Chiefs hadn’t given Isiah Pacheco a first down. 12 minutes left.
If that’s the case, McDermott won’t be without criticism after another playoff exit.
