The next chapter of what has been largely a Chiefs, Eagles and 49ers party in the NFL is coming in 2025. The question is if anyone different can disrupt that pattern and lift the Lombardi Trophy.

The hope for the locally beloved Bills is that they will be able to finally breakthrough this season after making another strong playoff run that ended without a Super Bowl appearance. Without Stefan Diggs and other key losses the Bills surpassed expectations in 2024, and were even more sound of an offensive unit than years prior, making it to the AFC title game before falling again to the always strong Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes had his worst statistical season since becoming the Chiefs starting quarterback, but Kansas City still had the best regular season record in franchise history. Kansas City is nothing short of a dynasty with three Super Bowl wins in five appearances, while making a staggering seven straight AFC championship games. But they finally lost in the Super Bowl to the even better and still league favorites to win it all, Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have been a contender for awhile, and aren’t likely to fade. Other teams like the Lions and Bills are strong, but can’t seem to pull it together when it matters most.

The Lions had a 24-7 lead at halftime in the 2023 NFC title game, but ultimately lost to the 49ers who made a second Super Bowl appearance in five seasons. Even with a 15-2 record in 2024, Detroit failed to win a playoff game with a home loss to rookie Jayden Daniels and the upstart Commanders.

So even with teams getting in the picture that we aren’t used to seeing as top title contenders, the usual constants like Kansas City and Philadelphia are the teams that make it to the Super Bowl.

This season will be another chance for someone like Buffalo to see glory. If the Bills are going to do it, it will take something more than just ability and good coaching, it will come down to clutch playoff situations that seem to be more real than we can see on the surface.

Buffalo loses to Kansas City because they aren’t as good in the playoff situations that are do or die. The evidence can be seen in the regular season and playoff records between the two teams. Buffalo is 4-1 against Patrick Mahomes in the regular season, but 0-4 in the playoffs.

Getting good is one thing. But, being the best is a whole another ballgame, taking consistency and a resilience that the Bills don’t have yet.

The Bills are going to have to play with a new chip on their shoulder, and play angrier this year even when they are doing well. They can’t be satisfied with another strong season, even if they are near the top of the AFC come playoff time it will not matter to a fanbase that is still starving for a Super Bowl that didn’t get one from their last great group in the 90’s. It’s time for Josh Allen to separate himself and become higher than Jim Kelly was, a Super Bowl winning quarterback that takes Buffalo over the top of the mountain to the promised land.