Now that logic has been respected and the Bills have knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs, let's just move on to next Sunday for another chapter of one of the best rivalries in the NFL right now as the Chiefs come to Buffalo for the second round the playoffs.
• Also read: After 32 years without a playoff win, Lions fans finally have the right to happiness
• Also read: Losing to the Packers: Bill Belichick is needed to save the Cowboys
The Bills' 31-17 victory ensures that Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes will be part of the highly anticipated third part of a trilogy of playoff matchups.
In the January 2021 series, the Chiefs won 38 to 24. The following year, they did it again by scoring a big win 42 to 36 in overtime.
Football fans, get ready because this third chapter will be written in Buffalo and it will be Mahomes' first road game in the playoffs, excluding his three neutral-site Super Bowl appearances.
In addition to the two previous playoff matchups, there have been four more regular season matchups since the two great quarterbacks have been in the picture. Each team achieves three wins. If you're not already salivating…
Allen is in control
To return to the game against the Steelers, the Bills had a good scare despite the 14-point difference. With just over 10 minutes left, the Steelers cut their lead to seven points on a pass from Mason Rudolph to Calvin Austin III.
The Buffalo darlings still had built a comfortable 21-0 lead with Josh Allen donning his superhero cape. He was on fire with two touchdown passes to tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, as well as a 52-yard run, the second-longest in playoff history for a quarterback.
After that, the offense fell silent until Allen connected with Khalil Shakir, who shrugged off two shovelful tackles and pushed his way into the end zone, where he scored a spectacular game-winning touchdown.
Allen finished the game with 203 passing yards and 74 receiving yards. More importantly, he didn't lose the ball.
Costly victory
It was a party in the still snow-covered stands of Highmark Stadium. Every time it touched down, snow flew everywhere and made for a magnificent picture. In the winter in Buffalo, the tireless fans kiss him full on the lips.
However, it has to be said that the Bills did not come through this victory without problems. The injuries on defense are piling up and if a more competent offense than the Steelers had been in town, the outcome could have been very different.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas was already unable to take part in the game and two other key cornerbacks, Taron Johnson and Christian Benford, were lost in action.
The linebackers are also being decimated. The heaviest and perhaps most devastating loss was that of General Terrel Bernard in the center of the field. He has been absolutely brilliant this season in the absence of Matt Milano. Baylon Spector is also out of action…
Hats off to the Bills players for continuing to hit effectively. To give you an idea, the defense is limited to five and six linebackers on the field this season.
In this context, the Bills' defense performed more than honorably, limiting the Steelers to 324 yards. The fact is, it could end up hurting if their defense still looked like a lineup for a preseason game against the Chiefs.
Getty Images via AFP
The rest in Pittsburgh
There is no real surprise in the Steelers camp. Until a credible quarterback is at the helm, this team can't hope for anything better than a brief playoff appearance.
The topic to watch will be the future of head coach Mike Tomlin. On the job since 2007, he is now the longest-serving driver with the same team in the league, but the Steelers haven't won in the playoffs since 2016. Will he get his kicks? Does management want changes?
It's safe to bet that this will be the status quo in Pittsburgh, but you never know.
THE 3 STARS OF THE GAME
Josh Allen
Getty Images via AFP
The Bills got the right Josh Allen. Big games, no brain cramps like he always gets, and a very special race. It's often said that he's just as hard to beat as Ben Roethlisberger, but the former Steelers quarterback clearly didn't have the speed of Allen. Indent!
Kaiir Elam
Getty Images via AFP
This pick will potentially upset Bills fans who can no longer see Elam in the paint. The cornerback and 2022 first-round pick obviously isn't living up to expectations, but forced into the fray due to injuries, he at least made one key play in the second quarter with an interception in the end zone.
AJ Klein
Getty Images via AFP
The veteran linebacker is one of the players who pitched in relief and looked good. He led his team out of work this week with 11 tackles! Honorable mention also goes to rookie linebacker Dorian Williams with eight tackles.