Sportsnet

‘The Bills once again couldn’t close the deal despite a late-game lead and heroic play from quarterback Josh Allen, while Philadelphia once again found a way to win — this time, thanks to a remarkable (and super rainy) 59-yard Jake Elliott field goal to force overtime and a Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown to win the game once there.’

‘In the Bills’ past three matchups, Allen has recorded his slowest release times: In Week 7, which saw the Patriots throw pressure after pressure his way, Allen averaged 3.26 seconds between the snap and his throw, which was the slowest in the league last week. Weeks 5 and 6 also saw him post release times over three seconds. In a game of inches and milliseconds, this pace is a far cry from his usual, which hovers around 2.87 seconds on average.’

‘A “disgusted” Pegula denied making the racist remarks in a statement released by both the Sabres and Bills: “The statement attributed to me in Mr. Trotter’s complaint is absolutely false. I am horrified that anyone would connect me to an allegation of this kind,” Pegula said.’

‘The events of these teams’ last meeting, a Week 17 matchup in Cincinnati, will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of all who were there on the field and watching even from afar as Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest. With the game postponed, and later cancelled altogether, this contest between two of the top AFC teams will be an incredibly emotional affair. Hamlin is now back at home after nearly a week in hospital in Cincinnati, and able to join his Bills teammates at their Buffalo facility over the course of this past week but still has a long way to go in his recovery. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to be present at the game to see his team compete in person, but his presence will certainly be felt by both sides regardless.’

‘If a player is hurt so badly in practice they can’t move off the field, the refrain is “next play, move the drill.” The efficiency of practice is paramount.’

‘It was supposed to be a distraction for a community that just witnessed the horror of five children dying in a New Year’s Eve house fire. All of this mere months after 10 people were shot dead in a supermarket in a despicable incident targeting the Black community. It was all, in a word, awful.’

‘Diminished for decades during the New England Patriots’ unprecedented dominance of the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills-Miami Dolphins rivalry is back in a big way this season — with a classic snow game now set to take centre stage.’

‘”Crippling” lake effect snow is due to start Thursday night.’

‘The Bills road to the playoffs will not be an easy one as they will have a tougher schedule to play through this year, going up against some quality opponents like the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals. When it comes to the division, the AFC East is expected to be tougher with the Miami Dolphins looking to make strides on offence and the New England Patriots expected to take another step forward. It is still the Bills division to lose but it isn’t expected to be a walk in the park.’

‘Of course, this kickstarted the debate about whether the league needs to consider changing the rule once again. Many pointed to the fact that the CFL and NCAA allow both teams to get the same number of offensive possessions and the period continues until there is a winner.’

‘2021 prediction: 13-4, win second straight division title.’

‘That Oct. 11 loss to Vegas is the only one the Chiefs have suffered with Patrick Mahomes starting under centre over the last 14 months.’

‘”It seems cliché lately when people say it’s a family thing, but it really is,” he said. “That’s why this year has been a tough one socially. There’s all these people that you love to visit with but you can’t.”‘

‘Thanks to stellar all-around play from the Buffalo defence and the eventual exit of Jackson from the game, the jaw-dropping interception sealed a contest where neither offence looked much like the high-flying attacks football fans had seen over the final weeks of the season.’

‘2020 season prediction: 11-5, division champions for the first time since 1995.’