Superstar linebacker Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs is shown in new video advising his team on a play that could decide the game during Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Early in the fourth quarter, with a three-point deficit, the Bills set up in a punt position from their own 30-yard line for a 4th-and-5. Damar Hamlin was the first to receive the snap, but the attentive Chiefs’ players were prepared and only allowed him to gain two yards.
Bolton, who advised his teammates to “watch the fake” as he was leaving the field, was mostly responsible for the crucial turnover on downs that Kansas City’s special teams unit forced:
.@_nickbolton2 predicted the fake punt. 👀 @Chiefs | @NFLFilms | @insidetheNFL pic.twitter.com/1QumJwfU00
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2024
Mecole Hardman, the wide receiver for the Chiefs, fumbled the ball out of bounds on the second play of the subsequent drive, resulting in a touchback. Even so, it’s impossible to predict what may have occurred if the Bills had punted.
As the Chiefs prepare for their sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game, the Bills are left scratching their heads over how they let go of yet another excellent opportunity to make a deep postseason run. And if Bolton’s crystal ball forecast hadn’t come true, it might not have happened.
Patrick Mahomes in action vs The Bills
Had they managed to score the winning touchdown, the defense might have shut down Patrick Mahomes for the remainder of the game.
Buffalo’s fake punt was stopped by the Chiefs, ending any further scoring in the back-and-forth game. Following the two-minute warning, Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a game-tying 44-yard attempt, and the Chiefs used the remaining time to win 27-24.
