Josh Allen, Payments gamers defend Dalton Kincaid amid backlash

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Payments‘ season largely got here to an finish when a cross from quarterback Josh Allen, below strain on fourth-and-5 from Buffalo’s 47-yard line with two minutes remaining, fell to the bottom between the arms of second-year tight finish Dalton Kincaid.

The Chiefs went on to clinch a 32-29 win in Sunday’s AFC Championship Recreation to go to the Tremendous Bowl.

Although Kincaid has acquired on-line backlash for his position within the play, his teammates rapidly supplied their assist, with many noting that plenty of issues may have modified the end result of the sport.

Allen on Monday identified what he may have accomplished to assist Kincaid in his second 12 months.

“I acquired to be higher for him. I did not really feel like I put him in sufficient good conditions this 12 months, ball-placement-wise,” Allen stated. “… He can sit there and take into consideration that play again and again, however I acquired to be higher for him. That is what it comes all the way down to, and get him extra concerned. I do know he is been battling all through the complete 12 months, bumps and bruises and doubtless video games that he should not have performed he was in, however he is a troublesome sucker, and I acquired nothing however love for him, how he is approached this 12 months. He’ll be so significantly better subsequent 12 months. Let his physique heal up, and I’ll be higher, higher for him, and I can promise you that.”

Tight finish Dawson Knox stated Monday that Kincaid has been battling a torn PCL in certainly one of his knees, along with fluid in his different knee. Kincaid was not at Monday’s media availability. He has been on the damage report as a result of a knee damage, however has totally participated in follow.

Kincaid, 25, completed his second 12 months catching 44 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns within the common season. He added six receptions for 71 yards on 10 targets within the playoffs. He missed three video games (Weeks 11, 13-14) due to a knee damage however resumed taking part in. In opposition to the Chiefs on Sunday, he caught 2 of 4 targets for 13 yards.

“Simply a chance for a play to be made, and simply could not make the play,” Kincaid stated after the sport.

Knox had a unique view.

“Watching that play again, I imply he is operating full pace one route. Josh had three guys in his face and simply needed to throw up a pop fly, and Dalton needed to utterly change instructions and dive for the ball. The actual fact he even acquired contact on the ball is spectacular, to begin with,” Knox stated. “… I advised him we would not have even been in that sport if he wasn’t on this group. What he brings to this offense, the unimaginable weapon he’s, I do not know if we’d’ve gained the division with out him. I do not know if we’d’ve made the playoffs with out him. So, if he tries to shoulder this as his fault, I will in all probability simply chortle at him like, ‘Dude, you are appearing loopy proper now.'”

There have been different points throughout the play. Allen stated after the sport that the offensive line slid left after the Chiefs “gave an excellent look” that the Payments weren’t anticipating, which arrange a shock nook blitz from the fitting facet, however Allen was nonetheless capable of get the throw off.

“We known as the safety to slip left. … I suppose from movie, they’ll blitz from the place they don’t seem to be displaying it from,” proper O’Cyrus Torrence stated. “So, they confirmed it from the fitting, so we [were] pondering they have been doing it from the left, however they really introduced it from the fitting this time. It is simply, you may say it is an error. I believe they simply known as a greater play than we had on offense, simply how the sport goes.”

For the Payments, there have been points at instances in all three phases.

“I believe it is unfair, truthfully, to even say [Kincaid lost them the game] and put him in that state of affairs,” Payments linebacker Terrel Bernard stated. “There’s so many performs that it comes all the way down to all through a sport, and we simply did not make sufficient of ’em.”

What’s subsequent for the Payments, who surpassed exterior expectations this season, is discovering a option to get previous the Chiefs. The Payments misplaced to Kansas Metropolis for the fourth time previously 5 postseasons and maintain the report for probably the most wins by any group in a six-season stretch (78) with no Tremendous Bowl look.

Allen stated he’s “extraordinarily assured” in coach Sean McDermott’s capability to guide the group to a title.

“It is going to sound bizarre. I am simply so happy with Coach,” Allen stated. “I do not know why he isn’t acknowledged extra within the awards stuff. That is the cruddy factor about it. However, you recognize, time in and outing, he is acquired us in place. We gained the AFC East the final what number of, so years. And clearly, we’re combating to recover from that hump. He provides his life to this. I’ll let you know that he is so dedicated to doing no matter it takes. And to see him adapt and actually develop as a coach has been enjoyable to observe.”

In the meantime, Allen’s proper hand is swollen and “just a little banged-up” after a failed 2-point conversion try on the finish of the primary half, however he stated he would not anticipate needing surgical procedure.