In what became an instant NFL classic, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabriel Davis had a historic performance against the Kansas City Chiefs during Sunday’s AFC division playoff game.
The former UCF Knight and Sanford Seminole product made his name known on one of the biggest stages, becoming the first NFL player to catch four touchdown passes in a single postseason game.
Despite the record-breaking numbers from Davis, the Bills lost 42-36 in overtime to the Chiefs, who will host the AFC title game next weekend. The loss put a damper on the individual numbers from Davis.
“It’s hard to celebrate [four touchdowns] when something like that happens,” Davis said. “At the end of the day, this is a team game and you want your team to keep going, advance and win a Super Bowl. I was looking forward to having the AFC championship at home too and we didn’t get the job done. It’s upsetting.”
Davis finished with 201 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on just 8 catches.
The second-year pro caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter, one in the third quarter and two in the final two minutes of regulation as the Bills and Chiefs exchanged leads before overtime.
“I looked at him on the sideline and I said, ‘Hey, you’re going to make plays,’ and darn sure he made two big-time plays for us down the stretch there,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen said Davis put up “video game numbers.”
“Gabe had his opportunities and he made some outstanding plays,” Allen said.
Davis had high praise for his quarterback following the game. Allen threw for 329 yards and, along with the 4 touchdown passes to Davis, added 68 rushing yards on 11 carries.
“Seventeen is always going to make plays with the ball in his hands,” Davis said about Allen. “We’ve got a lot of trust in him. He’s the best quarterback in the NFL and I stand by that. I know when it’s time to make plays, he’s going to be there to make them.”
With the loss, Buffalo’s season comes to an end as Davis wraps up his second year in the NFL. Davis was drafted by the Bills in 2020’s fourth round. His 23 career touchdown receptions rank second in UCF history.
The Orlando-area native played in 16 regular-season games for a second straight year, totaling 549 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns ahead of the playoffs.
But it was Sunday’s playoff game at Kansas City in which he shined the brightest.
“When your number is called, you have to make the play and I knew it was going to be a night like that, especially when we have guys like Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley who are going to get doubled more often than I would,” Davis said.
“I was just prepared for anything coming my way and I was able to make most of the plays that were called.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.