Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) causes a fumble on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (12) during the second half for a AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Bills defense forces key Chiefs turnover in end zone

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/21/24

Trailing the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 early in the fourth quarter, the Buffalo Bills were in danger of going down by two scores after turning the ball over on downs following a failed fake punt in their own territory.

However, Buffalo’s defense minimized the damage just two plays later when safety Jordan Poyer knocked the ball out of receiver Mecole Hardman’s hands just shy of the goal line, causing the ball to roll out of the end zone and be ruled a touchback.

TOUCHBACK???

WHAT DO YOU SEE? pic.twitter.com/iDrRMgG0md
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) January 22, 2024

It was the first turnover of the game and it was Hardman’s second (he recovered his first one).

Though the Bills went three-and-out on the subsequent drive, the fumble halted momentum for Kansas City, which had scored touchdowns on its three previous drives and scored points on all five of its drives (final drive before halftime notwithstanding).

Prior to the fumble, the Bills and Chiefs combined to score on nine of their previous 11 drives (Buffalo punted twice, Kansas City scored on all of its drives).

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