Niagara Gazette

‘The Buffalo Bills achieved championships in the middle 1960s, and played in Super Bowls in the early 1990s, so roughly once every 30 years does the team work at an elite level, enough so that everything around here stops to appreciate it. If this pattern keeps up, the ones in the third grade drawing portraits of football players will have children of their own, listening to stories about the Bills of the early 2020s.’

‘Still, the Bills were searching for answers as to how they went from Super Bowl favorites to ending the season with a thud. A team that lost three games by seven points all season was thoroughly beaten and man-handled by what was thought to be an under-manned Bengals team.’

‘After the first six games, the Bills offense declined by 69 yards per game, yards per play dropped by half a yard and third down efficiency also dipped from 52.8% to 48.3%. As Buffalo met with reporters for the final time Monday, it tried to offer explanations for the change.’

‘My feelings today — sadness, disappointment, frustration, uncertainty — is the same as it has been with the Bills seemingly forever.’

‘This is a roster that needs to be infused with more speed, more playmaking ability.’

‘The Bills are 13-6 when Allen runs for 50 or more yards over the last three seasons and he actually averages more yards passing in those games. Buffalo has refrained relying on him heavily to run the ball as of late, but this is the time of the season to unlock all of his talents, while using him on quarterback draws could limit some of the problems with picking up the blitz.’

‘What started as another memorable football outing for Glenn — a diehard Bills fan — and Joe — a lifelong Bengals fan — became one of the most memorable sporting events of their lives for reasons that weren’t in any way related to x’s and o’s.’

‘The Bills defensive line has more depth and talent than it did in the AFC Divisional round last season, but sacks have dipped in Miller’s absence from 2.5 per game to 1.5. But with the Bengals projected to be without three starting offensive linemen and an offense that has shifted to quick throws to alleviate early-season protection issues, pestering Burrow off his spot and forcing him to extend plays may be more important than sacks on Sunday.’

‘Hamlin is not taking part in team meetings and was placed on injured reserve, but his return to the building comes after visiting in-person with teammates for the first time Saturday since his injury.’

‘Through the first 17 minutes of the game, the Bills looked every bit a championship contender and 13.5-point favorites, as Josh Allen was sublime, going 10 of 12 for 155 yards and a touchdown. Then Playoff Josh looked like Midseason Josh, going 6 of 16 for 76 yards, two interceptions and a lost fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Zach Seiler to give Miami a 27-24 lead one minute into the third quarter.’

‘McDermott has guided the Bills through a racially motivated shooting, sky-high expectations, a mountain of injuries, a mid-season slump, two monumental snowstorms and a near-death incident that rattled the entire NFL.’

‘Local artist Glenn Goodberry and property owner Paul Kudela, with help from a firm in Buffalo called Zoom Buffalo, teamed up to produce a mural honoring “King Josh” on the side of a building owned by Kudela at the corner of 24th Street and, fittingly, Allen Avenue in the city.’

‘“I think I speak for all professional athletes — even though it may seem like we make a lot of money and have different perks, at the end of the day we’re all still humans,” Jamison said. “… When you make it to a level like this, you’re still dealing with adversity, challenges and stuff that can test your mental state. People are always going through things.”’

‘The Bills opened the veteran safety’s 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve, and although coach Sean McDermott said Hyde wouldn’t play against the Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card round on Sunday, the door is now ajar for a potential return should Buffalo advance.’

‘“We’re obviously grateful that he’s home with his parents and his brother,” Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters Wednesday. “I’m sure it’s felt like a long time since he’s been able to be home. I’m sure it’s a great feeling.”’