Josh Allen in tears as postseason nightmare continues: “I let my teammates down”

Once again, Josh Allen came up just short of the ultimate goal, reaching the Super Bowl. Another opportunity slipped away after the Buffalo Bills’ 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, and the sense of finality was impossible to miss.

This time, Patrick Mahomes was not in his way. Joe Burrow was not there either. The path appeared clear for Allen to finally break through, but the story repeated itself. The Buffalo Bills lost a heartbreaker, and Allen’s expression said everything.

Josh Allen crestfallen: “I let my teammates down”

At the postgame news conference, the 29-year-old quarterback could not hold back. He knew this felt like the opportunity of his career, and he believed he had let down an entire city after yet another playoff defeat, a stage that has become a personal nightmare. Tears came as he spoke.

“It’s extremely difficult,” Allen said. “I feel like I let all my teammates down tonight. When you shoot yourself in the foot like that, you don’t deserve to win football games. I’m extremely sorry.”

Another team will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and once again, it will not be Buffalo.

It was not Mahomes, who owns a 4-0 playoff record against Allen. Instead, it was the AFC West champions, the same team that swept Kansas City during the regular season and finished as the No. 1 seed in the conference. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix led Denver, even sacrificing himself late to secure the win. Nix will miss the AFC Championship Game, but his performance ended Buffalo’s season. Allen’s playoff record now stands at 8-7.

Bills locker room rallies around Allen

Allen’s teammates have not turned on him. Tight end Dawson Knox offered a strong defense of his quarterback.

“The way he beats himself up is because he’s an incredible leader,” Knox said. “He puts this entire team and this city on his shoulders. I can’t imagine how much weight that is.”

Left tackle Dion Dawkins echoed that sentiment.

“We’ll protect him,” Dawkins said. “He’s a true warrior, a true fighter. It’s on the rest of us to make sure he doesn’t have to do too much.”

The play that changed everything

Despite five Buffalo turnovers, four by Allen, the game ultimately turned on a controversial single play in overtime. What initially looked like a catch by Brandin Cooks was ruled an interception by Ja’Quan McMillian.

“That play isn’t even close‚” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “That’s a catch all the way. I sat in my locker and I looked at it probably 20 times. Nobody can convince me that bad wasn’t caught and in possession of Buffalo. I just have no idea how the NFL handled it, but I think the players and the fans deserve an explanation.”

Once again, McDermott was left without the chance to guide Allen toward the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Time running out for Allen?

At 29, belief in Allen remains strong, but the clock is moving. His career is beginning to resemble those of Dan Marino, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Kelly, and Warren Moon. Three of those quarterbacks reached the Super Bowl but never claimed a championship.

There is still time. John Elway proved that persistence can pay off, winning his two Super Bowl rings at ages 38 and 39. Johnny Unitas captured his title at 37.

Allen still has a chance to join the list of great quarterbacks who won at least one Super Bowl ring, but he will need help. Buffalo must improve a defense that finished 28th in the NFL against the run.

For now, Denver moves on. Without Nix, who suffered a fractured ankle late in the game, the Broncos will prepare for next week’s AFC Championship Game. Their opponent will be either the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots, as Sean Payton’s team stands one win away from the Super Bowl.

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