Olean Times Herald

‘This wasn’t just a loss. It was an evisceration that laid open the Bills’ myriad flaws for a sellout crowd and a national television audience.’

‘This wasn’t a loss that can be walked off with, “Oh, we just didn’t have it today … they outplayed us.” The Bills performance exuded a most malodorous air.’

‘In any case, this figures to be an offensive showdown even though some snow with temperatures in the mid 30s are predicted.’

‘Before Hamlin’s injury, Cincinnati’s offense had seemingly taken control of the game early and if that had followed through to a win, the Bills would have been going back to Paycor Stadium tomorrow, having lost head-to-head.’

‘The Bills are home courtesy of being the No. 2 seed to Cinci’s No. 3, a seeding that could have been reversed had the regular-season meeting not been wiped out and the Bengals, leading at the time, gone on to win. Given the seriousness of Hamlin’s health crisis, it’s a break Buffalo probably deserved.’

‘He added, “We have a lot of respect for them in terms of what they’ve accomplished this season. Whenever you have a new player in a position (especially a rookie quarterback), it’s always challenging to a certain extent, but he’s played, he’s on tape, earlier in the year and then last week. The tape I’ve seen (Thompson) looks good. They’ve done a good job with him and he seems to have good command of the offense.”’

‘The Dolphins are led by first-year coach Mike McDaniel who has engineered a remarkable turnaround in Miami. But he’s also never been a head coach in the postseason.’

‘But it’s Beane’s trades that have been most impactful. Start with dealing for wide receiver Stefon Diggs from Minnesota. In how many of Buffalo’s 40 wins since 2020 — regular-season and playoffs — has he been a heavy contributor? A deal with Philadelphia in 2019 brought in starting guard Ryan Bates. And the one currently and understandably being lauded is Beane’s decision to ship Zack Moss, a third-round pick in 2020 who had mostly been a disappointment, to Indianapolis for backup running back and kick returner Nyheim Hines.’

‘And, it could be argued that, given the Bengals’ fast start last Monday night before the Damar Hamlin injury, had the game gone to conclusion, the way the rest of the season played out, if Cincinnati had prevailed, Buffalo would have fallen to third seed.’

‘But it’sS not just Buffalo which has plenty at stake tomorrow. Ditto New England (8-8) which, despite an uneven season and three tough losses including the final-play debacle in Las Vegas, can still make the playoffs. The Pats must beat the Bills and either Miami (Jets) or Pittsburgh (Browns), both playing at home, have to lose or tie.’

‘Kansas City, 13-3, tops the AFC and concludes its regular season this afternoon at Las Vegas. Both Buffalo, 12-3, and Cincinnati, 11-4, beat the Chiefs during the regular season but, due to Hamlin’s injury, were deprived of a head-to-head opportunity to position themselves for the AFC title.’

‘And for just about the first 10 minutes it lived up to the hype … and then it didn’t, in the worst possible way.’

‘Sports networks aren’t the best candidates to cover a major news story even if it’s football-related and it was painfully obvious.’

‘Burrow and Allen have decidedly similar stats. Allen has thrown 32 touchdowns with 13 interceptions with a 96.1 passer rating and seven rushing scores. Burrow has passed for 34 TDs with a dozen picks, five running touchdowns and a 102.3 passer rating.’

‘But the reality for Buffalo is, a loss Monday night virtually dashes the dream of the conference’s top seed and the AFC’s only first-round bye. The Bills could lose the conference’s No.1 seed to either Kansas City or Cincinnati and, as a third seed, would get a much less favorable playoff draw, albeit at home.’