If not for Kansas City, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills might own the NFL. But they aren’t alone in their pain.

Last year’s playoff exit was met with a sense of finality. With a slew of free agents, an aging roster and cap concerns, the Bills knew hard decisions were coming. Many equated that to a step back in their championship chase. All it did was provide an opportunity for a step forward.

On the other, it left the Bills stuck in their own Groundhog Day prison, beating Kansas City to seemingly prove their legitimacy in the fall only to have their season ended by that same foe in the winter.