The Buffalo Bills suffered a devastating AFC Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime. It was a back-and-forth affair, which ended with the Chiefs scoring a touchdown in overtime.
With two minutes to go, Josh Allen connected with wide receiver Gabriel Davis for a 27-yard touchdown and completed the 2-point conversion to go up 29-26.
Patrick Mahomes responded with a quick 64-yard strike to the speedy Tyreek Hill to put Kansas City back on top. Allen and the Bills went down and scored again, which gave them a three-point lead, giving Mahomes 13 seconds to tie the game.
Most of the fans thought the game was over, but Mahomes quickly changed their minds. He connected with Hill for a 19-yard pass and then Travis Kelce for 25 yards. This put the Chiefs in field goal range, where they tied the game and sent it to overtime.
Kansas City won the coin toss and received the ball in overtime. Mahomes marched down the field and threw a touchdown to Kelce, breaking Bills Mafia's hearts.
The Bills now have a long offseason ahead after this heartbreaking loss. However, their roster is set up to compete for a Super Bowl, and a few changes could get them there.
That being said, here are three fixes the Bills must make this offseason to win Super Bowl 57 in 2023.
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Buffalo Bills fixes to win Super Bowl 57
3. Improving the offensive line
The Bills' offense was electric against the Chiefs, but they still had some holes. Their offensive line is far from the best in the league, and improving it would help Allen take his game to the next level. The offensive line isn't atrocious, but Allen had to scramble throughout the game to make plays as the pass rush was getting to him.
Whether it's in the draft or in free agency, an improvement to the offensive line would also strengthen the run game.
2. Finding the run game
Buffalo's run game has been a weakness over the past few seasons. They have not been able to have a consistent rushing attack outside of their quarterback. Against the Chiefs, the Bills had 24 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown, with Allen doing the bulk of the damage on the ground. Devin Singletary was the only running back to contribute anything in the run game, rushing 10 times for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Strengthening the offensive line and adding a better running back would go a long way in making the offense more balanced.
Buffalo could target a running back via free agency (Leonard Fournette?) or take a stab at one in the draft.
1. Adding another elite cornerback
While the offense could use some improvement, they weren't the problem against Kansas City. The Bills were the top-ranked defense during the regular season, but that was no match for the Chiefs' offense.
Trying to contain Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce was difficult, and they dominated their defense. Buffalo lacks an elite cornerback outside of Tre'Davious White, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 13. While the defense stayed afloat during the regular season, it collapsed against the Chiefs in the postseason.
Adding someone on the other side of White would make it easier to contain star pass catchers in the playoffs. J.C. Jackson would be the ideal candidate in free agency, but he may be out of their price range.
Spending a draft pick on a corner would be the other option, which would be more of a long-term solution as corners often take time to develop.
Still, while the Bills came up short, they're in an excellent position to compete for the Super Bowl next season.
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