Tears were flowing Saturday in the Buffalo Bills’ locker room as the team’s season came to an end.
The Bills blew several chances to take control of their Divisional Round matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. One big pass or timely scramble from Allen could have been the difference in Buffalo’s 33-30 loss in overtime.
Allen was in tears during his postgame press conference. He apologized to his Bills teammates, stating that he “let my teammates down tonight.”
A reporter later asked Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins about Allen’s words. The Pro Bowler fought back tears of his own when he heard what Allen had to say.
“He let us down?” Dawkins said in a mix of anguish and disbelief.
Dion Dawkins very emotional when asked what he'd tell Josh Allen after the #Bills QB said he feels like he let his team down in loss to Denver. pic.twitter.com/82Yo6jdiyQ
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) January 18, 2026
With his emotions getting the better of him, Dawkins then stepped away from the media scrum.
Dawkins has served as Allen’s primary blocker since the Bills drafted the Wyoming product in 2018. The two have developed an undeniable bond since then, with both players emerging as one of the best in their respective positions.
Allen and Dawkins have led the Bills to seven straight double-digit win seasons. But that regular-season success has yet to translate to playoff glory.
Saturday’s loss must have stung even more for Bills fans when they learned that Bo Nix had suffered a season-ending ankle injury in overtime. The Nix-less Broncos will face a formidable defense in the AFC Championship Game regardless of who advances between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans.
