Allen, Bills defend Kincaid amid online backlash

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Bills‘ season largely came to an end when a pass from quarterback Josh Allen, under pressure on fourth-and-5 from the Bills’ 47-yard line with two minutes remaining, fell to the ground between the arms of second year tight end Dalton Kincaid.

The game ended soon after the Chiefs worked downfield and clinched a 32-29 win to go to the Super Bowl.

While Kincaid has received some backlash online for his role in the play, his Bills teammates were quick to offer their support, with many noting how many small things could have gone differently in the game to impact the outcome.

Allen on Monday pointed to what he could have done to help Kincaid in his second year.

“I got to be better for him. I didn’t feel like I put him in enough good situations this year, ball placement wise,” Allen said. “… He can sit there and think about that play over and over, but I got to be better for him. That’s what it comes down to and get him more involved. I know he’s been battling throughout the entire year, bumps and bruises and probably games that he shouldn’t have played he was in, but he’s a tough sucker, and I got nothing but, love for him, how he’s approached this year. He’s going to be so much better next year. Let his body heal up, and I’m going to be better, better for him and I can promise you that.”

Tight end Dawson Knox said Monday that Kincaid has been battling a torn PCL in one of his knees, in addition to fluid in his other knee. Kincaid was not present during media availability Monday. He has been on the injury report with a knee injury but has fully participated in practice.

Kincaid, 25, finished his second year catching 44 passes for 448 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the regular season, in addition to six receptions on 10 targets in the playoffs for 71 yards. He missed three games around the team’s bye week (Week 11 and 13-14) with a knee injury but was able to resume playing. Against the Chiefs, he caught 2-of-4 targets for 13 yards.

“Just an opportunity for a play to be made and just couldn’t make the play,” Kincaid on Sunday night of the play.

Knox had a different view.

“Watching that play back, I mean he’s running full speed one direction. Josh had three guys in his face and just had to throw up a pop fly and Dalton had to completely change directions and dive for the ball. The fact he even got contact on the ball is impressive, first of all.” Knox said. “… I told him, we wouldn’t have even been in that game if he wasn’t on this team. What he brings to this offense, the incredible weapon he is, I don’t know if we would’ve won the division without him. I don’t know if we would’ve made the playoffs without him. So, if he tries to shoulder this as his fault, I’ll probably just laugh at him like, dude, you’re acting crazy right now.”

There were other issues with the play as well. Allen said after the game that the Bills offensive line slid left after the Chiefs “gave a good look,” that the Bills were not anticipating, which set up the corner blitz that came on the play from the right side that the Bills were not anticipating.

For the Bills, there were issues at times in all three phases.

“I think it’s unfair, honestly, to even say [Kincaid lost them the game] and put him in that situation,” linebacker Terrel Bernard said. “There’s so many plays that it comes down to throughout a game, and we just didn’t make enough of ’em.”

What’s next for the Bills, who surpassed outside expectations this year, is trying to find a way to get past the Chiefs after losing to Kansas City for the fourth time in the last five postseasons and now holding the record for the most wins by any team in a six-season stretch (78 without a Super Bowl appearance).

Allen said that he is “extremely confident” in coach Sean McDermott’s ability to lead the team to a title.

“It’s going to sound weird. I’m just so proud of coach,” Allen said. “I don’t know why he’s not recognized more in the awards stuff. That’s the cruddy thing about it. But, you know, time in and time out, he’s got us in position. We won the AFC East the last how many, so years. And obviously, we’re fighting to get over that hump. He gives his life to this. I will tell you that he’s so committed to doing whatever it takes. And to see him adapt and really grow as a coach has been fun to watch.”

Meanwhile, Allen’s right hand is swollen and “a little banged-up” from a failed 2-point conversion attempt at the end of the first half Sunday, but he said he is not anticipating having to undergo a procedure on it.