Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“We heard that news this morning and there’s nothing that could have been told to us to bring our day down,” quarterback Josh Allen said to a jam-packed room full of reporters. “We’re extremely happy for him and his family. We just want to love up on him the next chance we get. I don’t know when it’s going to be; hopefully we get to see him soon, and it’s going to be awesome.”’

‘The AFC Championship Game could be played at a neutral site if the participating teams in the conference final played an unequal number of games and both could have been the No. 1 seed, the NFL said. Those scenarios may involve the Kansas City Chiefs, Bills and Bengals, depending on Week 18 results. The NFL did not reveal a specific neutral site.’

‘”This press conference is about Damar Hamlin who we love and his parents and extended family. First I’d like to thank the first responders on the field and the medical teams for both teams on the field, and the medical staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical center. The amount of faith hope and love we saw on display in the last few days has been nothing but amazing. The officiating crew on the field, led by crew chief Sean Smith, handled the situation with extreme composure and compassion. Thanks to the Bengals and their ownership and especially coach Zac Taylor. To fans of both the bills and Bengals along with all of the fans, we’ve heard from in the last few days. Thanks to the media for your understanding. And finally glory to God for his keeping Damar and his family in the palm of his hand and his healing powers.”‘

‘“That conversation about what we do with that game has begun,” Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice-president of communications, public affair and policy, said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon.’

‘If the Patriots beat the Bills, they will secure the seventh and final seed in the AFC bracket. But if they lose, the only way they get in is if all three of these things happen: The Dolphins lose to the Jets, the Titans lose to the Jaguars, and the Steelers lose to the Browns.’

‘The league has never been confronted with anything like this and the fact that it is happening six days before the end of the regular season complicates matters tremendously.’

‘It is not clear whether the game will be completed at a later date or how Monday’s unfinished game will impact the two teams.’

‘Jordan Rooney, who is part of Hamlin’s marketing team, tweeted within about a half hour after the incident that Hamlin’s vitals “are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests. We will provide updates as we have them.”’

‘“How do you resume play after you’ve seen such a traumatic event occur in front of you in real time?” said Vincent, who is now the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL. “And that’s the way we were thinking about it, commissioner (Roger Goodell) and I and others.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Buffalo Bills 30, Cincinnati Bengals 28.’

‘Play-by-play: Joe Buck. Analyst: Troy Aikman. Sideline reporter: Lisa Salters.’

‘“We spent a lot of time together in Laramie. Our football team was extremely tight. It’s always fun to see your friends and your brothers succeed at any level. He’s playing some really good football right now. He’s got the whole state behind him.”’

‘“Right when it happened, you knew that I was concussed,” Morse said Thursday. “And one of the nice things was I understood the process, the program, understood that all the people I talked to, the experiences I have gone through in the past. They’re not going to put me out there unless I’m healthy.”’

‘If ever the Bills need Josh Allen to play like the superstar he is, this is the night in a showdown against another league MVP candidate, Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow. And if he does, perhaps the performance will force its way into my top 10 list of what I believe are his greatest games since joining the Bills in 2018.’

‘It means essentially everything to both teams. If the Bills win, all they would have to do to secure the top seed in the AFC bracket and a first-round bye would be to defeat the fading Patriots in Week 18 at Highmark Stadium. But if the Bills lose, they no longer control their own destiny. They would need both the Chiefs (assuming KC beats lowly Denver in Week 17) and the Bengals to lose their last games in order to get the top spot.’