This was seen as the postseason where Josh Allen could finally lead the Buffalo Bills to Super Bowl glory.
There was no Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson, paving the way for the best quarterback in the playoffs to finally break through.
But the Bills couldn't, losing a heartbreaker in overtime to the Denver Broncos, who advanced to the AFC Championship game.
All the pressure was on Buffalo and Allen. After years of playoff failure, this felt like "the" year where, if the Bills were to get that elusive Super Bowl, it would be this season.
But after another divisional round loss, many are now asking the question: Will Allen ever lead Buffalo to a Super Bowl?
For some, the answer is no, and right now, you have to wonder exactly what needs to happen for Allen and the Bills to get over that playoff hump.
More: Bills' James Cook gets ultimate disrespect in RB rankings
Big offseason changes coming?
There was a thought in the offseason that if the Bills suffered another "early" playoff exit, that head coach Sean McDermott would be on the hottest of hot seats.
And now, after another season of failure, questions have to be asked on if McDermott is the right person to lead the Bills to a Super Bowl.
There's no denying that McDermott has done wonders for the organization, but has he taken them as far as they can go?
You could make that case.
And now, as Buffalo heads into the offseason, we wonder how many changes are going to take place over the coming months, with McDermott's future now a big watch.
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