Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“The game did not end the way we wanted it to end, it did not go the way we wanted it to go,” said McDermott. “Because of that, it has been a painful couple of days for all of us. I recognize that, and my hope is that in time, if it’s handled the right way, the pain will turn into strength and that strength will turn into growth.”’

‘McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have made it clear they want to draft, develop, and then re-sign their guys, but they didn’t draft any of those players. If there was no such thing as free agency, I’m sure they’d like to re-sign several from this group, but the fact is there aren’t many can’t-live-without players.’

‘In his first playoff action, Allen was both brilliant and boneheaded, taking the Bills on a ride worthy of the bucking broncos at the Houston stockyard. He had 372 yards from scrimmage, including catching a 16-yard touchdown pass, completing some throws very few NFL quarterbacks can make.’

‘They have to refine Allen’s undeniable physical skills with better mechanics which should improve his accuracy, and continue the process of developing him into a fully functional player on the mental side, which hopefully will lessen some of the brain cramp moments.’

‘In what became the latest in unconscionable Buffalo playoff failures, the Bills, dominating for the first 40-plus minutes of the game, unraveled in absolutely epic fashion and lost 22-19 in overtime to the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium.’

‘You watch professional football long enough, and you will see finishes that even Hollywood can’t script. And what we witnessed Saturday will stack right up there in the colorful playoff history of these two original American Football League cities, where football isn’t a game, but a way of life.’

‘When Daboll interviews for the Browns head coaching job on Sunday, he’s going to have to explain why his offense — once again — was unable to break the 20-point barrier. Why, against a mediocre Houston defense, was it only able to score one touchdown, that on a trick play?’

‘While Buffalo fans clad in jerseys could be spotted all around NRG Stadium and the massive Astrodome area complex, the place to be was a private parking lot at Greenbriar and Fannin Street.’

‘Ask any professional football fan in western New York or the greater Houston/Nashville area who are of a certain vintage about “The Comeback’’ and “The Music City Miracle’’ and they’ll know. Their eyes will light up like a can of Sterno under a pan of chicken wings or barbecue ribs. Or sink to the ground should they remember those famous games as “The Choke’’ and “Illegal Forward Pass.’’’

‘“He hasn’t been in a playoff game,” offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said when he was asked whether the past month playing on big stages against playoff-level competition has steeled Allen for what he’ll encounter in Houston.’

‘Bills 23, Texans 17.’

‘Maybe not among fans and media, but Watson sure gets the respect from opponents. Taken two spots after Mahomes in the 2017 Draft, Watson would be 3-for-3 in playoff berths for the Texans had he not torn up his knee his rookie season. That year, he had 16 touchdown passes in October alone.’

‘In comparison, the cheapest tickets for the other three wild-card games in New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans start at $91, $150 and $93, respectively.’

‘“It’s not about me, my goal is to win and that’s the only thing I’m worried about,” Johnson said as the Bills began preparations for the showdown against the Texans at his old home, NRG Stadium. “But it will feel good to go back to a team that I was previously on and I’ll go out there and be at my best.”’

‘“I’d say the biggest thing is that when you get to the playoffs is not trying to be something you’re not,’’ Morse said of the advice he can give. “You change things, you tighten up, and forget what got you there. You want to be on your P’s and Q’s, but if you change your identity completely, that’s when you get in trouble. The best teams I’ve been on stick to the script, they know what works.’’’