Josh Allen may have just missed his best shot at Super Bowl glory as Buffalo Bills crash out of playoffs

Kicker Wil Lutz converted from 23 yards to seal the victory at Mile High after cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian picked off Allen's deep pass intended for Brandin Cooks during the extra period.

The interception proved contentious, with numerous supporters insisting receiver Cooks had completed the catch before McMillian claimed possession, though officials upheld the turnover call.

A pass interference penalty against Buffalo's Taron Johnson subsequently helped Sean Payton's side advance into field goal range for the decisive kick.

It was supposed to be the Buffalo Bills’ moment, finally, after years of looking elite just to be pushed aside by the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Allen can boast a 4-1 record over Mahomes in regular-season games, the Chiefs quarterback holds a flawless 4-0 record against his conference rival in the playoffs.

This year, with Mahomes and co failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014, it was down to Allen to perform when it mattered most.

Their roster was balanced, the defence healthy at the right time, and the quarterback playing with a maturity that suggested past playoff scars had finally hardened rather than haunted him.

Yet when it mattered most, the familiar obstacles re-emerged. A handful of missed opportunities, a couple of ill-timed errors, and an opponent that simply refused to blink proved enough to end another promising campaign.

Allen’s numbers, as ever, will look impressive in isolation, but too often the quarterback was left improvising.

Left in tears after the game, the six-year NFL favourite will have to reset and go again next year. It would be no surprise if the Bills opt to strengthen their defence in the draft, as while they boast some superstars in the backfield and defensive line, youth might be required to keep this ageing squad at the top.

The bigger problem is that Patrick Mahomes, who has set an almost unreachable standard, is not going anywhere. When healthy, Joe Burrow remains a persistent threat. Lamar Jackson has rediscovered his ceiling.

In the AFC, it seems elite players are everywhere you look. It comes down to that one play, which, frustratingly, Allen always seems to be on the wrong side of.

They now face difficult decisions on contracts, cap space and an ageing supporting cast.

Allen’s story is far from finished. He still remains one of the few elite quarterbacks in the league. It's just unfortunate he will have to play the others in the AFC rather than a Super Bowl matchup.

Careers in the NFL are defined not by talent alone, but by timing, circumstance and the ability to strike before the league adjusts.

Take Tom Brady, picked in 199th in the draft and only called in due to an injury to his starter, to then become the greatest to ever do it.

The Bills will remain a top threat as long as Allen stays healthy and the right personnel are brought in to help him, but it was really a golden opportunity this year to get his first ring, or even his first Super Bowl appearance.

I have long believed that a mature Allen can match the abilities of three-time Super Bowl winner Mahomes. But that debate, based on his record in the games that really matter, is almost impossible to argue now.

What makes it more gutting for fans of the sport is that Bo Nix, who led the Denver Broncos to the victory, has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Without him, the Broncos now await the winners of Sunday's Houston Texans versus New England Patriots encounter in next weekend's AFC Championship.

Fans will be left without a clash between two heavyweight quarterbacks, but it does leave an interesting conclusion to this unusual season.

For Allen, despite guiding Buffalo to six consecutive seasons with a playoff victory, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player has yet to even reach the Super Bowl.

The Bills have not reached the league's showpiece finale since 1994, extending their lengthy wait for another shot at the title.

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