ESPN

‘”I thought about going for it on both occasions. Maybe if I had to do it over again, I would have went for maybe one of them,” McDermott said. “But the one before the half, I wanted to get points. We were having trouble coming up with points, and I wanted to at least have something to show for it going into the half, especially knowing they were getting the ball after half. I’ll look back at that and reevaluate that, especially the one after half there, and as an entire team, we’ll learn from the experience.”‘

‘Superfans of the team, dubbed “Bills Mafia” because of their antics before, during and after games, have been known for jumping through plastic folding tables for years. Some DICK’S Sporting Goods stores in upstate New York are stocking up with center folding tables in hopes that Bills fans have something to celebrate after Sunday’s playoff game against the Chiefs.’

‘The outpouring of support to the “Blessings in a Backpack” Louisville chapter began Saturday night, after the Bills’ 17-3 victory over the visiting Ravens in their AFC divisional playoff game, during which the reigning NFL MVP was ruled out late in the third quarter with a concussion.’

‘”It started around 11:30 last night, and our donation box just started flooding with donations from Bills fans for Lamar. It’s just been overwhelming — in the best possible way,” said Nikki Grizzle of “Blessings in a Backpack,” whose mission is to mobilize communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.”‘

‘The Bills’ return to prominence under fourth-year head coach Sean McDermott has had western New York buzzing, with Saturday night’s contest played at Bills Stadium before approximately 6,700 fans who sounded more like 67,000 on NBC’s television broadcast. The stadium had been closed throughout the regular season due to COVID-19, but state and local officials put together a plan for the postseason that allowed attendees who registered a negative coronavirus test to attend.’

‘The play tied the longest interception return in NFL postseason history, with Green Bay’s George Teague (1993, Wild Card).’

‘Daboll would fit many of the traits the Chargers are looking for in their next head coach. He is an offensive-minded coach, learning under some of the best coaches of all time, and he has helped elevate the game and production of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Daboll would be expected to do the same with Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert.’

‘It’s not just that Allen has improved in 2020; that would be criminally underselling his ascension into the NFL’s elite tier of quarterbacks.’

‘Interest in him as a head coach stems from his creativity on the field and his ability to forge relationships off it — especially with Allen, who has vaulted into the league’s MVP conversation with Daboll’s help.’

‘”He knows that there is going to be pressure, that’s for sure,” Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale said Wednesday. “That’s who we are. That’s what we’ve done.”‘

‘Buffalo’s second-leading rusher behind Devin Singletary, Moss totaled 576 yards of offense and five touchdowns during his rookie season in 2020. He missed three games early in the season with a toe injury but had played in every game since. His highlight performance came during Buffalo’s Week 8 victory over the New England Patriots, during which he ran for a season-high 81 yards and two touchdowns.’

‘Similar to last weekend’s game, when 6,772 fans were allowed to attend a game for the first time all season, fans will be required to pass a screening for the coronavirus before being allowed to enter the stadium, will have to remain socially distant in the stands and wear a mask at all times. Fans also will be assigned a specific entry gate and time to prevent clustering.’

‘Allen, 24, improved significantly from his first playoff game last season, completing 26 of 35 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns, adding 54 yards and another score on the ground. He became the youngest player in NFL history to throw for 300 yards and complete 70% of his passes in a playoff game, per ESPN Stats & Information research.’

‘After you spend weeks blowing out everybody, sometimes you forget that it isn’t always that easy. The Indianapolis Colts did the Bills the favor of reminding them without beating them, and that could be bad news for the rest of the AFC playoff field.’

‘On second-and-3 from the Colts’ 3-yard line, Allen took the snap on what looked like a designed run but was quickly met by Indianapolis defenders Tyquan Lewis and Anthony Walker. Allen scrambled to his right and stayed upright just long enough to see Knox wide open in the end zone. As he was being brought to the ground, Allen heaved the ball toward Knox, who caught it with nobody around him.’