The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs met for a highly-anticipated NFL Division Round playoff battle on Sunday, and it did not disappoint. Although, controversy did trickle its way into Highmark Stadium in the fourth quarter.
In the middle of a tight head-to-head contest up for grabs, Kansas City searched for some insurance to further bridge the scoring gap — the Chiefs lead the Bills, 27-24. Quarterback Patrick Maholmes flipped the ball to wideout Mecole Hardman on first-and-goal, just feet away from the endzone.
Yet, in crashing fashion, Hardman fumbled the ball after reaching for the goal line in head-scratching fashion — raising questions surrounding the 25-year-old’s critical decision-making skills with the season on the line.
Watching from afar, ex-New England Patriots running back and three-time Super Bowl champion James White, also questioned Hardman — in real time.
“Can’t reach the ball right there! Very unnecessary,” White posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ruled a touchback following an official’s review, Hardman’s blunder threatened Kansas City’s chances and gave Buffalo a major sigh of relief in a do-or-die race to the AFC Championship Game.
As much of a nail-bitter as the remainder of the fourth quarter proved to be, the Chiefs rode that same 3-point lead to the finish line. Granted, that’s owed to Bills placekicker Tyler Bass missing a 44-yard, potential game-tying field goal attempt — wide right.
Kansas City will next take on the Baltimore Ravens, advancing to the AFC title matchup for the sixth consecutive year.
