The Buffalo Bills, try as they might, have stumbled far too often in the postseason, and looking back on the 90s, stumbled in the biggest game of the year.
For some, Josh Allen is the one who can halt that pain, despite losing four straight times to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
After a 2024 season in which Allen won MVP, most of the offensive group remained, with Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore being signed, coupled with the defensive free agents and draft selections, the time is now for Buffalo.
Everything feels aligned for Allen to lead his team to the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and then to Super Bowl glory...but we've thought this before, and the Bills have messed it up.
For Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the time has come for all of this playoff failure to end.
"Last year’s roster reset was a big success, evidenced by the big-money extensions Khalil Shakir, Greg Rousseau, Christian Benford and, yes, Josh Allen earned (we’ll see on James Cook)," Breer wrote. "Every year, having a quarterback like Allen puts pressure on everyone to win at the highest level. That certainly exists this year. As is the case with Jackson, at some point, you have to find a way to break through."
Josh Allen talks retirement, but there's a catch.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium.
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It's all about putting it together when the pressure is at its highest.
Last season, Allen had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to at least tie and force overtime, but the Chiefs' defense stiffened and ended Buffalo's year.
Eventually, something has to break their way, right?
One would think the football gods have had enough of playing with the hearts of fans for nearly three decades, and maybe Allen is the one to end it all.
He has the weapons, the coach, and now hopefully the defense.
The big question is, with all the pressure on his shoulders, can No. 17 provide a legacy moment in 2025?
We're about to find out.