The Bills just can’t seem to catch a break in postseason play.
The 2024 season looked to represent a new dawn for Buffalo’s franchise, which engineered another glistening season as Josh Allen laid claim to the title of league’s most valuable talent.
That sparkle seemed to continue in the playoffs; the Bills outgunned the Broncos before inching past the Ravens to set up yet another AFC championship appearance. Their opponent was a familiar one: the Chiefs.
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The match was worthy of poetics. It captivated and inspired, particularly as the clock continued to dwindle.
In the game’s final moments, Buffalo needed a savior. Allen attempted to take on the responsibility. However, his last arrow tumbled to the ground and slipping past second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Dalton Kincaid drop vs. Chiefs
With the clock stopped at 2:00 and the Bills facing fourth-and-five, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo crafted a masterpiece. The defensive whisperer sent a cavalcade of defenders towards Allen, each tasked with one simple instruction: make Buffalo’s spellbinder’s life hell.
Kansas City’s front seven responded in kind, with Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and others seeping into Allen’s pocket.
Allen conjured up a prayer, rolling right and evading pressure just enough to launch a lofted effort towards the rafters. As the ball came cratering down, it looked to have found a willing target in Kincaid, who readjusted his route in the hopes of reeling the unruly toss.
But just as the ball fell into his hands, it slipped through the cracks. Kincaid was unable to secure the pass.
The Chiefs make the stop on fourth down!
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/s4rXNURB3z— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025
The Chiefs had held firm on fourth down. Five plays later, they confirmed their win, with Patrick Mahomes finding Samaje Perine for a game-clinching first down.
A closer look at Kincaid’s attempted grab revealed just how close he was to securing the football — and with it, a potential opportunity to tie the game or go for the win.
bro pic.twitter.com/1ou4Zzk6Vl
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 27, 2025
Kincaid struggled with drops during the regular season, seeing six passes slip through his grasp in 13 appearances. None had the significance of his latest effort, an entry into the ever-growing list of untimely tight end drops in postseason play.
Dalton Kincaid postgame interview
After the game, the Bills TE was sullen, simply saying: “Should be a catch. I believe you grow from this, but for the time being, it hurts a lot.”
Dalton Kincaid on dropped pass on failed fourth down that ended #Bills loss to Chiefs: “Should be a catch…I believe you grow from this but for the time being it hurts a lot.” #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/zCEwJHhRRG
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) January 27, 2025
Fellow TE Dawson Knox came to Kincaid’s defense after the game, saying the Bills “wouldn’t even be in this game” if it wasn’t for Kincaid. He added that while he knows Kincaid expects himself to make that catch, he won’t let his teammate get “down in the dumps” about it.
#Bills TE Dawson Knox on how to prop up Dalton Kincaid after his crucial drop on 4th down
“There’s not going to be a single person in here that’s going to put the blame on him”@news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/kq2K16Ghjv
— Carl Jones (@Jones11_) January 27, 2025
Dalton Kincaid contract
Kincaid inked a four-year, $13,427,023 deal with the Bills after being selected No. 25 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kincaid, who starred at Utah prior to his matriculation into the big leagues, secured a fully guaranteed contract that came with a signing bonus of nearly $8 million, according to Spotrac.
