After a tremendous season, the Buffalo Bills suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The loss was the fourth time in the past five seasons that Kansas City was the team to send Buffalo home in the postseason.
For the Chiefs, the win allows them to continue their historic run at a third consecutive Super Bowl, a feat that no other team has ever achieved. Many fans, however, were up in arms over some of the officiating decisions in the game, which they believed benefited Kansas City.
Brandon Beane Weighs in on Controversial Calls in AFC Championship Game
When asked in a press conference if he understands why fans felt that way, Bills general manager Brandon Beane said, “Yeah, it’s frustrating. You know, there’s only so much I can say. We work with the league to try to get clarity, and I’ll give them credit, they’ve taken our calls, they’ve sent video, and things like that.”
#Bills GM Brandon Beane says he still believes Josh Allen converted on 4th down and nothing has changed his mind—even after speaking with the league.
He also addressed the Xavier Worthy play that was ruled a catch.
His full answer:pic.twitter.com/8aV01ZfI3s
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 30, 2025
Among the most controversial calls in the game involved a play where quarterback Josh Allen took a quarterback sneak early in the fourth quarter and was ultimately ruled short.
“I feel like he got that, and I still feel like he got that,” Beane said. “I felt that in the moment, and nothing has changed my mind on that.”
Buffalo led 22-21 at the time of the failed fourth down, yet the Chiefs went down the field and took a 29-22 lead on the ensuing drive.
However, that’s not the only controversial play Beane weighed in on. The other was on the catch made by Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy near the end of the first half, which the Bills challenged.
“I’m not sure either player had possession,” Beane said. “When the ball touches the ground, someone has to have established possession, and again, they’ve given how they see it, and that’s their job.”
Like the failed fourth-down attempt, this play led to a rushing touchdown by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Still, while both calls were controversial, the Chiefs ended up making the plays they had to make to win the game.
“It is what it is. Those are just like plays in a game we didn’t make,” Beane said. “By no means are saying that’s why we lost the game.”
Beane’s comments echo what many fans felt about the calls in the game, but his efforts to make sure it’s known that the league has heard him speak volumes. At the end of the day, there can be calls that can go in the opposing team’s favor in any game.
Beane and the Bills seemingly understand that, but that doesn’t make the loss — or the controversial calls — sting any less.
Allen and the Bills will look to bounce back next season and finally get over the hump to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Chiefs roll on and will look to fulfill their quest of making NFL history.