Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Having blown this opportunity, just like they blew it in 2022 when they lost at home in the divisional round to the Bengals, it’s pretty tough to make the argument that Buffalo’s Super Bowl window is still open because it’s simply not true. Even with superstar quarterback Josh Allen at the helm, it’s closed for at least the foreseeable future.

‘This was supposed to be different from 2020 when the Bills were blown out 38-24 in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. It was supposed to be different than 2021 when the Bills couldn’t find a way to play 13 more seconds of regulation and wound up losing in epic and heartbreaking fashion, 42-36 in overtime at Arrowhead in the divisional round.’

‘All the talk about how Patrick Mahomes wasn’t at his best this year, primarily because he lacked talent around him, proved to be meaningless drivel at least as it pertained to this game. It was true that the Chiefs did not function like they had in his first five seasons as the starter, but when it mattered most – in the playoffs last week against Miami and then against Buffalo – the Chiefs did what they always do. They made the big plays in the key moments.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Chiefs 24, Bills 23.’

‘However, even if Bills-Steelers hadn’t been pushed back a day, Bill-Chiefs still would have been placed into the cleanup spot this weekend because their matchup is without question the juiciest of the four games.’

‘And in a surprising development, McDermott added wide receiver Stefon Diggs would be “limited at best” in Friday’s practice due to a foot injury. The expectation is that he’ll play, but you have to wonder how problematic the injury is. Friday, Diggs did indicate in the locker room that he’d be fine.’

‘The sign’s maker, Honeoye Falls resident and former Democrat and Chronicle reporter Georgie McKean, falls into both the Bills Mafia and the Swiftie ranks.’

‘Diggs will have to, no pun intended, dig deep in this game because the Bills are going to need their playmakers to be on point. But if Sneed takes away Diggs, then it will fall to players like Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox to give Allen viable targets.’

‘Obviously, their injury list is a major concern as coach Sean McDermott reeled off the names of nine players at the start of his media availability Wednesday who either missed the wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, or got hurt during the game.’

‘Haack was the Buffalo punter in 2021 and it was not a great year as he had a poor net average of 37.6 yards on 52 attempts. However, he was the best available option for the Bills because he was also the holder that season for placekicker Tyler Bass.’

‘The last time the Kansas City Chiefs visited Highmark Stadium, the circumstances could not have been much weirder.’

‘Tuesday, coach Sean McDermott said that all of those players, plus four others who were hurt in the Week 18 game at Miami and missed the wild-card game – wide receiver Gabe Davis, cornerback Rasul Douglas, linebacker Tyrel Dodson and safety Taylor Rapp – would all be evaluated on a “day-to-day” basis.’

‘Bills fans, I would think, are perfectly happy that the AFC wild-card game was moved from Sunday to Monday because the weather was about a million times better – cold, yes, but manageable wind and no snow – and it allowed the Buffalo offense to function the way it normally would.’

‘Joe Brady put together a diverse game plan that utilized both the run and pass almost 50-50. The Bills had 34 running plays and Allen had 32 dropbacks that were either pass attempts or sacks. A few of his runs were pass plays that became scrambles. The point is, Brady had nice balance and it kept the Steelers off balance and the result was 31 points, 24 first downs, 368 yards, and more than 33 minutes of possession.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Bills 20, Steelers 13.’