The 2025 Buffalo Bills season has been written, but the book is incomplete. Before we cast our full attention toward the 2026 season, let’s take one last glance back over our shoulder for our annual look at the Plays That Defined the prior campaign.
For any newcomers, first and foremost; Welcome! When it comes to the “rules” of this exercise, we’re not voting for our favorite highlight necessarily, but the one that best captures the essence of the game. Put differently, if you had to choose just one play
to show someone to explain as much of the contest as possible, which would you choose?
Week 9; Kansas City at Buffalo Bills
Mahomes under 50% comp and Allen at 88% (Cole Bishop pass defended second to last play of game or awesome one on 4th down in Q2 and efficient Allen completion maybe Kincaid big catch midway through Q2), missed FG by Prater at the end making us sweat, only two TDs for KC, Allen had two TDs on ground (Second one had the double spike)
Buffalo had gotten back into the win column against the Carolina Panthers in a big way. Next up was hosting Kansas City in a dynamic AFC showdown. As expected, the two teams traded blows until the final whistle, but as is tradition, the Bills took the regular season win.
The biggest surprise was the defensive nature of the battle. That’s not too much of a shock for Kansas City whose defense has been solid for the last few seasons. The Bills stymied Patrick Mahomes, allowing zero passing touchdowns and making the star quarterback uncomfortable all game.
Big Kincaid Catch (Q2; 7:34)
If you looked at the touchdown column, Josh allen didn’t fare much better throwing for scores, only notching one (also to Dalton Kincaid). What stands out as a big difference between the two though was completion percentage. Josh Allen was hit about half as much as Mahomes, and even when pressured looked collected. The 88% completion rate was about taking what was given and keeping the ball. Buffalo had a nine-minute time of possession advantage. Highlights like this weren’t plentiful but when they did show up it was to a tight end, and mostly Dalton Kincaid.
Why didn’t I use the touchdown to Kincaid? Two reasons really. The touchdown seemed like even more of an anomaly than this one and while I wanted a good play I wanted something a little closer to “steady” than that would have been. Also, this is the better throw and catch.
Rousseau/Hoecht sack (Q3; 6:22)
I wanted a couple defensive highlights because keeping Mahomes to 21 points and stopping some of the drives they had was a massive success for Buffalo. I nearly went with Max Hairston’s first career interception, but it was the only interception of the game.
Most of the defensive stops weren’t turnovers then, and the three sacks were both more plentiful and a stronger theme in the game. There were also 11 QB hits total as alluded to above. This team effort credited to Greg Rousseau and Michael Hoecht embodied the group effort of the day.
Josh Allen touchdown (Q3; 1:38)
I’m including this touchdown from Josh Allen because the Bills scored more of them than Kansas City (4 vs. 1), but most of them came on the ground. Two from Allen and one from Ty Johnson. I went with this one because the double spike is still mind-bogglingly awesome.
Matt Prater missed FG (Q4; 0:27)
Bills fans know better than anyone, not to give Kansas City any time to beat you. This 52-yard field goal attempt was the right decision and if it were a few inches left, ended the game. Instead, the ball clanging against the upright is the football equivalent of a bell tower ominously chiming. Nothing embodies the drama of this game quite like this moment.
Cole Bishop pass defended (Q4; 0:11)
Kansas City got into reasonable throwing distance to the endzone, luckily for Bills fans with zero timeouts left. Having to heave the ball a few times in a row, it felt like one might be the miracle toss needed to tie the game. Of the attempts at the endzone, this was the best throw. If not for Cole Bishop getting his hand up, this might have gone to overtime.
Another reason I didn’t go with Maxwell Hairston’s interception as an option is because in good faith I couldn’t risk the Cole Bishop narrative losing to a single highlight play. If you think the rest of the defense was more impactful to the game, choose the sack. If you think Allen’s steadiness in the air, you have that play. Etc.
If you think the pass defense that held Mahomes to a 44% completion rating deserves the nod, then pick Cole Bishop. You read that right. 44%. Hairston certainly contributed but Bishop had four passes defended. This one was clearly impactful, but he also had two in a row in the second quarter on third and fourth down. That’s not even discussing his seven tackles in the game; four solo and one TFL (which you all know I love).
Which play best defines the Bills’ victory?
ADD POLL FROM FEED
