The Buffalo Bills have taken decisive action in the wake of a narrow defeat, releasing kicker Michael Badgley from their practice squad. This move comes directly after a missed extra point proved pivotal in a heartbreaking 13-12 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
A Costly Miss in a Tight Contest
The Bills' clash with the Eagles was an agonisingly close affair, decided by the finest of margins. During the fourth quarter, after Buffalo scored a touchdown to narrow the gap, Michael Badgley stepped up for the routine one-point conversion. His effort, however, was blocked by the onrushing Eagles defence, keeping the score at 13-12 in Philadelphia's favour.
Minutes later, when the Bills found the endzone once more, head coach Sean McDermott made a telling decision. Instead of trusting Badgley with another extra-point attempt, he opted to go for a two-point conversion. Many observers interpreted this as a direct loss of confidence in the kicker's abilities on the night.
The Final Straw for Badgley's Brief Stint
For Badgley, this miss marked the second consecutive game in which he had failed to convert an extra point. His time in Buffalo was always destined to be short, having been signed on December 16th to cover for an injured Matt Prater. His tenure lasted a mere 13 days.
The Bills' front office wasted little time, confirming his release just hours after the final whistle. The team's official public relations account on X, formerly Twitter, posted the succinct update: "Released K Michael Badgley from the practice squad."
This latest setback continues a turbulent period for the 30-year-old kicker. After originally signing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, he has endured a journeyman career with spells at the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders. A return to the Colts earlier this year ended when he was waived on December 2nd following a crucial miss against the Houston Texans.
Playoff Positioning Amidst the Turmoil
Despite the drama surrounding the special teams unit, the Buffalo Bills' playoff destiny remains firmly in their own hands. The team has already secured a wild-card berth, though they have missed out on winning the AFC East title.
Their focus now shifts to finalising their seeding for the postseason. As it stands, Buffalo can finish as the No. 5, No. 6, or No. 7 seed in the American Football Conference, depending on results in the final week of the regular season. The search for a reliable kicker will be a paramount concern as they prepare for the high-pressure environment of the NFL playoffs.
