DENVER — The lectern in the bowels of Empower Field at Mile High Stadium stood empty for minutes.
First up after every Buffalo Bills game is quarterback Josh Allen, who is quick to give his postgame press conference in full uniform as soon as the team is out of the locker room and things are starting to settle down. Even after a very difficult and emotional loss.
This time, his arrival was not quick. The public relations officer left a few minutes before his arrival. And then finally, about 16 minutes into the game, in came Allen.
His face was visibly red as he looked down, sniffling and fiddling, tapping his fingers on the wooden lectern. Tears filled his eyes and face. He was upset throughout his press conference.
The reigning MVP was asked how difficult it was to make it to the AFC playoffs and repeat the feat.
“It’s extremely difficult,” Allen said in a choked voice. “I feel like I gave up, let my teammates down tonight.” However, his colleagues felt very differently. “We know we don’t have a shot in hell to win a football game without him,” Spencer Brown said.
The Bills lost in the divisional round for the fourth time in five seasons, falling to the Denver Broncos in overtime, 33-30. The loss extends the Bills’ streak of not making a Super Bowl appearance since they lost four from 1990 to 1993. It also extends their record for most wins in a span of seven seasons without a Super Bowl appearance, including the playoffs (91).
“I just missed opportunities the whole game,” Allen said of his emotions. “It’s been a long season. I hate the way it ended, and that will stick with me for a long time.”
After his news conference, the quarterback went back to his locker and sat, sometimes with his head down. It’s become an all-too-familiar scene for Allen postgame, sitting in his locker looking exhausted after another season comes to an end, while teammates stop by to give him their best and backup quarterbacks talk to him. His bruises are a sign of multiple injuries the linebacker has battled through to get back on the field — his right foot, left knee and right toe are the latest.
“He’s been carrying us all year, and the way I think, somebody’s stepping up to be able to relieve some of that for him,” wide receiver Brandin Cooks said. “And when you’re big and you feel like you have to do a lot, you have a chance to be able to force some of those things. And that’s what I think about Josh. He’s the greatest quarterback in the league. Everybody around him has to step up. He can make plays, so he doesn’t always have to be the one who feels like, ‘Man, I’ve got to win this game.’
Cooks started to cry when asked about Allen being emotional.
“I look back and say, ‘Man, what can I do to take some of that pressure off him,'” Cook said. “He loves this game so much. And if he comes out like this, he’s going to bite for a long time.”
The eight-year veteran finished the game 25 of 39 for 283 yards and three passing touchdowns. He was sacked three times and rushed for 66 yards on 12 carries.
Allen had four turnovers in the game — two fumbles and two interceptions — and noted that “you can’t win with five turnovers,” and that “if you shoot yourself in the foot like that, you don’t deserve to win football games.”
One of Allen’s misses came on a drive that started with 16 seconds left in the first half and no timeouts. The Bills chose not to kneel, and Allen lost the ball during a scramble and the Broncos kicked a field goal to end the half.
“Just trying to be aggressive. I’m not going to do that,” Allen said. Coach Sean McDermott said he wants to see if Buffalo can get a little play and try to kick a goal before halftime. “Understand we wanted to be aggressive, but it didn’t work out,” McDermott said. Allen then fumbled two more offensive plays in the third quarter, leading to another Denver field goal.
“No. It’s not open [Allen]. We had opportunities, all of us, and I’m very proud of him,” McDermott said. “He’s a great person, a great leader, a great quarterback. There are games we all want to bring back.”
Allen rallied the Bills from a 13-point halftime deficit and led the drive to force overtime with Matt Prater’s 50-yard field goal.
In a one-and-done overtime after the defense forced a Broncos punt, Allen’s final gain was controversial as Cooks initially appeared to catch a pass that was ultimately ruled out by Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. While that play would have set up the winning field goal for the Bills, there were several other missed plays throughout the game.
The players shed tears in the dressing room as the real situation began. Left-handed hitter Dion Dawkins was among them.
When Dawkins heard Allen say he felt like he let the team down, Dawkins choked back, saying quietly, “He didn’t let us down.” Dawkins then hugged Allen before leaving the locker room.
Allen’s streak of not reaching a Super Bowl now extends to another offseason. He has the most playoff wins (eight) and starts (15) by any quarterback without a Super Bowl start in the Super Bowl era. The comeback magic that characterized this Bills team wore off.
“I haven’t said much other than I love my teammates and I’m very sorry,” Allen said. “I’m disappointed how this ended.”
