Last year’s playoff exit was met with a sense of finality. With a slew of free agents, an aging roster and cap concerns, the Bills knew hard decisions were coming. Many equated that to a step back in their championship chase. All it did was provide an opportunity for a step forward.

As the Chiefs often do under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, they brought a heavy blitz, and Allen had to backpedal away from defenders. He threw up a wobbly prayer deep downfield, and it was nearly answered by tight end Dalton Kincaid, who just missed hauling in the heave and keeping the Bills' comeback hopes alive.