Social media detectives believe they’ve uncovered evidence that Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs weren’t trying that hard in Sunday’s 30-21 road loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Andy Reid was outcoached by Sean McDermott from start to finish in Kansas City’s first loss of 2024. Patrick Mahomes was limited to 196 passing yards and threw two interceptions, while Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 262 yards, a touchdown and an interception to go along with 55 rushing yards and a rushing score.
Not only did the loss end Kansas City’s hope of a perfect season, but the Chiefs (9-1) opened the door for the Bills (9-2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) to challenge for the AFC’s top seed and first-round bye.
But some fans are now convinced that Andy Reid and the Chiefs didn’t exactly try their hardest to beat the archrival Bills on Sunday evening. Kansas City fan Brad Henson proposed the theory by suggesting that coach Reid was secretly “hiding” his playbook, citing the limited usage of Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins:
Listen up everyone including Bills fans. Andy Reid doesn't show his hand when it comes to anything in the regular season. They barely used Hopkins, they really didn't try with Kelce either. Why people can't pick up on this still blows my mind. pic.twitter.com/4j5FJf4Zc9
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) November 19, 2024
Several fans concurred with Henson’s theory:
Facts 💯….. and the Bills showed everything to beat us. Using josh allen and their MAN beaters. We got enough on tape for our next game. Where they have no tape on Hopkins, kelce and we will have Hollywood, Pacheco, and Omen back
— Ryan Ward (@RcWard7) November 19, 2024
he's done it literally every year and I love him for it
— Orchamedes (@orchamedes) November 19, 2024
That’s what I’ve been saying. They give em the reg season matchups to keep them on their high horse. Have it.
— Thomas Kohler (@TKohler_13) November 19, 2024
That’s right!!! You always know how much he game plans by what plays are run in the Red Zone. What did we see this week? Inside shovel pass and Noah Grey on Travis routes. Did you see anything exotic or creative??? You see any Tom & Jerry? Nope. He gave Buffalo nothing on film.
— Keep’n It Real (@BrianJenni93381) November 19, 2024
It’s certainly not a stretch to believe that Andy Reid purposely left some of his best plays out of Sunday’s game plan. Remember, the KC offense was inconsistent during the entire 2023 regular season before regaining their elite form in the playoffs.
Andy Reid & Chiefs Needn’t Panic After Loss To Bills
Even if Reid honestly put together the best possible game plan to try and win, Sunday’s loss isn’t a concern at all. Kansas City has lost its last four regular-season games to Buffalo, but they’re 3-0 against Josh Allen and company when it matters most: In January.
Though they were the defending Super Bowl champions last year, most people wrote off Kansas City without home-field advantage. They took down the Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers in the big game, so bet against them at your own risk.
