New details have emerged about the officiating controversy involving Josh Allen’s unsuccessful fourth down attempt in the Buffalo Bills-Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Buffalo faced a 4th-and-inches situation in Kansas City territory early in the fourth quarter, clinging to a one-point lead. Josh Allen attempted a quarterback sneak up the middle for a potential game-changing conversion, but the officials called him short of the marker.

The officials reviewed the play and upheld the ruling, much to the surprise of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and rules analyst Gene Steratore. Patrick Mahomes would go on to score a 10-yard rushing touchdown to put the Chiefs ahead, and they never trailed again in a 32-29 victory.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio tried clarifying the confusing call on the field. As the NFL insider noted, line judge Jeff Seeman strongly indicates that Josh Allen reached the first-down marker.

But down judge Patrick Holt came in and argued the contrary, with Seeman curiously agreeing to go with his call:

On the critical fourth down from Sunday night’s Bills-Chiefs games, the official at the top of the screen was Line Judge Jeff Seeman (standing to the far left in the photo). The official at the bottom of the screen was Down Judge Patrick Holt.

After the play ends, Seeman walks to the scrum on his spot — the near side of the 40. It’s an indication that Seeman believed Bills quarterback Josh Allen had gotten a first down. Holt, however, was on the far side of the 40, short of the line to gain. And Seeman yielded his spot to Holt’s.

If Holt had deferred to Seeman, the Buffalo drive would have continued. It’s that simple. Two officials had two different spots, and one gave way to the other.”

You can watch how the sequence unfolds here:

It’s easy to blame the officials in this one (it’s what countless non-Chiefs fans are doing). But the QB sneak and tush push plays should be almost automatic on 4th-and-inches, so the Bills’ o-line should take some blame for their lackluster blocking there.

The Bills’ usually-stingy defense gave up another 30-burger in the postseason, too. And let’s not forget Dalton Kincaid dropping Allen’s fourth-down pass attempt that would have kept a potential game-winning drive going.

Another Gut-Wrenching Playoff Loss For Josh Allen & Bills

Between the 2020 AFC Championship Game, the “13-second” 2021 Divisional Round game, the Wide Right II game last year and now the 2024 AFC Championship, it’s unbelievable how many heartbreaking playoff losses the Bills have already endured in the Josh Allen era.