Bills Experience Déjà Vu: Tyler Bass’ Missed Field Goal vs. Chiefs Joins Scott Norwood in Buffalo Playoff Legacy

In the NFL, few positions carry as much pressure as that of a kicker. With one crucial responsibility and a spotlight on their every move, kickers often find themselves in defining moments within a game. Tyler Bass recently faced such a moment, with the entire game resting on his foot from 44 yards out.

With the Bills trailing 27-24 against the Chiefs and only 1:47 left to play, Bass had the opportunity to tie the game with a field goal. However, the kick, launched against the wind, veered off course immediately after takeoff, sailing wide right of the mark. The Chiefs secured the necessary first down to seal the victory, marking the Bills’ third playoff exit in four years.

“Wide. Right. The two most dreaded words in Buffalo,” remarked CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz, echoing the haunting sentiment that Buffalo fans know all too well.

Reflecting on the missed kick, Bass attributed the error to misalignment caused by the swirling wind at Highmark Stadium. Despite his explanation, the weight of the loss fell heavily on the young kicker.

This “wide right” moment stirred memories of a similar occurrence in Buffalo’s history. On January 27, 1991, in Super Bowl 24, kicker Scott Norwood faced a pivotal opportunity to secure the Bills’ first-ever Super Bowl victory. Lining up for a 47-yard field goal with only eight seconds left, Norwood’s kick sailed wide right, allowing the Giants to secure the Super Bowl win.

The phrase “Wide right” has become synonymous with Buffalo’s football lore, representing missed opportunities and the agony of defeat. The Bills’ recent loss only added another chapter to this narrative. Reflecting the immediate impact, the Wikipedia entry for “Wide right” was promptly updated to include the Bills’ latest setback, and commemorative jerseys recalling Norwood’s famous miss resurfaced.

While Tyler Bass bears part of the responsibility for the loss, other issues contributed to the Bills’ playoff exit, including a questionable fake punt call and a diminished offensive performance in the second half. In a critical drive, quarterback Josh Allen’s decision to target the end zone instead of attempting shorter, clock-managing passes added to the challenges.

Much like Scott Norwood’s moment, the collective memory of the build-up will fade, leaving Bills fans to grapple with the stark reality of another “wide right” disappointment.