THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - Leaving the Past Behind

[Shaw66]

The Buffalo Bills stampeded the New England Patriots Saturday night, 47-17, but it was so much more than a lopsided playoff game.   

 

It’s well known:  Bills fans love their team.  They aren’t the only fans who love their team, and they aren’t the only pro football fans who have suffered through the seemingly endless futility of their team.   Still, the story of the pain of Bills fans is legendary:  Wide right and the four straight Super Bowl losses, the drought, the endless quarterback frustrations, the Buffalo jokes.   Every year, Bills fans hoped for more, hoped for success, hoped for respect, and it didn’t happen.  And for the past twenty years, all along the way, there were the New England Patriots, crushing those hopes mercilessly.

 

Then came Kim and Terry Pegula, and then Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, and things began to change.   The fans felt it, not the aimless, empty hopes of the past, but something different: real hope.  Then Josh Allen arrived, and there was more than hope; there was genuine excitement.  It was all so new, so different, the fans didn’t know how to react to the beginnings of real success.  They were confused, full of conflicting emotions. 

 

Ending the drought with a win and Andy Dalton’s heroics, and Kyle Williams and his boys, didn’t release the dammed up emotions.  Beating the Patriots twice and winning the division didn’t do it, either.  Getting to the AFC championship game didn’t do it.  As the wildcard game approached, fans still wondered if their team was for real, still dreaded Belichick’s legendary game planning. 

 

Saturday night, the dam broke.  On the field, the Bills delivered one of the NFL’s most spectacular, dominant playoff performances since, well, since the Bills beat the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC Championship game in 1991.  Seven possessions, seven touchdowns, no field goal attempts, no punts, no turnovers.  Five touchdown passes, 308 yards passing, 66 yards rushing from Josh Allen. 

 

It was an all-time great offensive explosion.  The first TD to Knox was great (even for thousands of fans watching on television, waiting to get through security and into the stadium), Hyde’s interception was great, the next drive and the second Knox TD was great, play after play after play was great.   No one had seen anything like it – football perfection, and it was wearing the uniform of the Buffalo Bills.  By the second half, the fans were delirious.  As the plays continued, the Singletary runs, the exquisite deep throw by Allen and catch by Diggs, the Sanders TD reception, the Hyde punt return, the Davis TD reception, we were laughing, we were hugging, we were high-fiving.  Fans were dancing.   We sang every word of the Shout song, every time.  

 

But it was so much more than astoundingly great football.  It was the moment that Bills fans finally knew in their hearts that the decades of frustration were over.  No more doubts about Josh Allen, no more doubts about the defense, no more deep-seated fear of the Belichick magic.     

And so, for the fans in Highmark Stadium, the game became a celebration to bury the past. 

 

We sang good-bye to the Patriots, and it was more than a derisive chant to mock a defeated opponent.  It was the end of the horrible curse that had been Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and it was the end of the losing.  We sang as loud as we could, letting out all of the frustration of two decades of defeat and domination.

 

It had stopped being about football.  It was something more.  It was pure joy.  It was something we never expected, something we couldn’t have imagined.  When the game ended, when the singing and dancing and cheering and laughing were done, many fans stood in the stadium, not wanting the moment to end.  It was difficult to understand what had happened; maybe if we stayed another minute or two, we would understand.  But whatever amazing thing it was, it was over.   

 

After the game, Sean McDermott said as the clock ran down, he turned and looked into the stands.   He saw the joy.  He said he was happy for the fans. 

 

And, interestingly, he essentially said that it was moment for the fans, not for the team.   Yes, the fans had decades of disappointment, but these coaches and players didn’t.  The fans suffered through twice-a-year spankings by the Patriots, but these coaches and players didn’t.  For them, it was just a game they had to win against a team they knew they could beat, it was just a step in a process that continues.

 

There are games still to be played, championships to be won, Lombardi trophies to be raised high into the air.  Maybe this year, maybe some other year.  But for now, finally, it no longer seems impossible.

 

In one glorious night, all of the ugly past was left behind.  Not forgotten, but it no longer matters.   We’re done with the past; now is the time. 

Edited January 17, 2022 by Shaw66

[fasteddie]

Well said!

 

(BTW, I was one of those who was late getting in. I drove in from my niece's in Lancaster and got stuck in traffic. Then the covid checkers were absurdly slow. Luckily, I only missed the opening kickoff.)

Edited January 17, 2022 by fasteddie

[goober]

Sorry if you were part of the group delayed getting in, but genuinely happy you were there for most of it.    Don’t know you personally but much respect for your posts. Go Bills! 

[Let's Go Buffalo]

You said it all! It was a phenomenal game in many ways for sure. It sure seemed like the passing of the torch. Nicely done, and thanks again for your Rockpile Reviews!

[LABILLBACKER]

Thanks Shaw for so many well written posts. That dam did finally break last night. A collective sigh of joy and hope for Bills fans throughout the world. We have owners, a GM and Head coach who truly care about their players and fans. Clearly there's work and goals ahead. But as you said the fans have hope and optimism for the next 12-15 years.  Our moment is soon to come.

[Richard Noggin]

It was cathartic for so many reasons. Vanquishing a nemesis in such convincing fashion, in such "extreme" conditions (it wasn't really that bad at all tbh), and moreover doing so in person at the side of my long-suffering, senior-citizen, role-model-for-Bills-fandom, who'd-never-attended-a-night-game, mother...it was meaningful. 

 

I'm glad the team feels less satisfied than the fans do right now. Because I feel great. 

[HappyDays]

Yeah right after the TD drive following Hyde's interception the game stopped being something for me to watch, it became something for me to celebrate. I'm anxious in most games until at least the 4th quarter but I was certain this game was over at that point.

[Shaw66]

14 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Yeah right after the TD drive following Hyde's interception the game stopped being something for me to watch, it became something for me to celebrate. I'm anxious in most games until at least the 4th quarter but I was certain this game was over at that point.

Huge play and drive. 

 

And any possible hope for Pats snuffed on second INT.  

[DCBongo]

I said this game was cathartic.  It doesn't erase smackdowns of the past decade, but it released us from their hold.  We now can continue our revenge tour, and lord willing a win in KC and a win in Tenn will appease the football gods.  And then a win in the super bowl will allow many sepginarions the ability to pass in peace.

[BruceVilanch]

31 minutes ago, RunJoshRun said:

I like the summary of the game.

 

 

Much better!

[Blaise321]

I loved that they kept scoring, never taking their foot off the gas. Poetic justice

[NoHuddleKelly12]

Shaw, this is the best one ever written by you, nay, it bests basically everything I’ve read written about this game, as you’ve encapsulated the feelings and context of this game and why beyond the numbers it meant what it did…for fans who’ve bookended the 90’s run through the whole of the drought, thank you! 

[Freddie's Dead]

*****in' A, Bubba, well spoken.

[LeGOATski]

Perfect!

[Bleedbuffaloblue]

So we’ll said! Couldn’t agree more.

[Ray Stonada]

Just an awesome piece. Beautiful writing. Thank you!

 

GO BILLS!

[stosh64]

6 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

The Buffalo Bills stampeded the New England Patriots Saturday night, 47-17, but it was so much more than a lopsided playoff game.   

 

It’s well known:  Bills fans love their team.  They aren’t the only fans who love their team, and they aren’t the only pro football fans who have suffered through the seemingly endless futility of their team.   Still, the story of the pain of Bills fans is legendary:  Wide right and the four straight Super Bowl losses, the drought, the endless quarterback frustrations, the Buffalo jokes.   Every year, Bills fans hoped for more, hoped for success, hoped for respect, and it didn’t happen.  And for the past twenty years, all along the way, there were the New England Patriots, crushing those hopes mercilessly.

 

Then came Kim and Terry Pegula, and then Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, and things began to change.   The fans felt it, not the aimless, empty hopes of the past, but something different: real hope.  Then Josh Allen arrived, and there was more than hope; there was genuine excitement.  It was all so new, so different, the fans didn’t know how to react to the beginnings of real success.  They were confused, full of conflicting emotions. 

 

Ending the drought with a win and Andy Dalton’s heroics, and Kyle Williams and his boys, didn’t release the dammed up emotions.  Beating the Patriots twice and winning the division didn’t do it, either.  Getting to the AFC championship game didn’t do it.  As the wildcard game approached, fans still wondered if their team was for real, still dreaded Belichick’s legendary game planning. 

 

Saturday night, the dam broke.  On the field, the Bills delivered one of the NFL’s most spectacular, dominant playoff performances since, well, since the Bills beat the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC Championship game in 1991.  Seven possessions, seven touchdowns, no field goal attempts, no punts, no turnovers.  Five touchdown passes, 308 yards passing, 66 yards rushing from Josh Allen. 

 

It was an all-time great offensive explosion.  The first TD to Knox was great (even for thousands of fans watching on television, waiting to get through security and into the stadium), Hyde’s interception was great, the next drive and the second Knox TD was great, play after play after play was great.   No one had seen anything like it – football perfection, and it was wearing the uniform of the Buffalo Bills.  By the second half, the fans were delirious.  As the plays continued, the Singletary runs, the exquisite deep throw by Allen and catch by Diggs, the Sanders TD reception, the Hyde punt return, the Davis TD reception, we were laughing, we were hugging, we were high-fiving.  Fans were dancing.   We sang every word of the Shout song, every time.  

 

But it was so much more than astoundingly great football.  It was the moment that Bills fans finally knew in their hearts that the decades of frustration were over.  No more doubts about Josh Allen, no more doubts about the defense, no more deep-seated fear of the Belichick magic.     

And so, for the fans in Highmark Stadium, the game became a celebration to bury the past. 

 

We sang good-bye to the Patriots, and it was more than a derisive chant to mock a defeated opponent.  It was the end of the horrible curse that had been Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and it was the end of the losing.  We sang as loud as we could, letting out all of the frustration of two decades of defeat and domination.

 

It had stopped being about football.  It was something more.  It was pure joy.  It was something we never expected, something we couldn’t have imagined.  When the game ended, when the singing and dancing and cheering and laughing were done, many fans stood in the stadium, not wanting the moment to end.  It was difficult to understand what had happened; maybe if we stayed another minute or two, we would understand.  But whatever amazing thing it was, it was over.   

 

After the game, Sean McDermott said as the clock ran down, he turned and looked into the stands.   He saw the joy.  He said he was happy for the fans. 

 

And, interestingly, he essentially said that it was moment for the fans, not for the team.   Yes, the fans had decades of disappointment, but these coaches and players didn’t.  The fans suffered through twice-a-year spankings by the Patriots, but these coaches and players didn’t.  For them, it was just a game they had to win against a team they knew they could beat, it was just a step in a process that continues.

 

There are games still to be played, championships to be won, Lombardi trophies to be raised high into the air.  Maybe this year, maybe some other year.  But for now, finally, it no longer seems impossible.

 

In one glorious night, all of the ugly past was left behind.  Not forgotten, but it no longer matters.   We’re done with the past; now is the time. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Great win. I dont know what it was like to lose to the Dolphins for an entire decade. I started following in 1980 and my pain began with Ferguson's ankle on a 1980 team that could have won it all.

I love Allen and this win was cathartic.

But without a SuperBowl win it will just be a good season filled with many moments of frustration.

Bills are in great position to win it all. Put all your faith in JA and an improved o-line.

 

[CSBill]

"It had stopped being about football.  It was something more.  It was pure joy.  It was something we never expected, something we couldn’t have imagined.  When the game ended, when the singing and dancing and cheering and laughing were done, many fans stood in the stadium, not wanting the moment to end.  It was difficult to understand what had happened; maybe if we stayed another minute or two, we would understand.  But whatever amazing thing it was, it was over.  

 

. . . . In one glorious night, all of the ugly past was left behind. Not forgotten, but it no longer matters. We’re done with the past; now is the time."

 

So perfectly said, Shawn. You nailed it! 👏 👏 👏 👏

[Stuartjohn]

8 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

The Buffalo Bills stampeded the New England Patriots Saturday night, 47-17, but it was so much more than a lopsided playoff game.   

 

It’s well known:  Bills fans love their team.  They aren’t the only fans who love their team, and they aren’t the only pro football fans who have suffered through the seemingly endless futility of their team.   Still, the story of the pain of Bills fans is legendary:  Wide right and the four straight Super Bowl losses, the drought, the endless quarterback frustrations, the Buffalo jokes.   Every year, Bills fans hoped for more, hoped for success, hoped for respect, and it didn’t happen.  And for the past twenty years, all along the way, there were the New England Patriots, crushing those hopes mercilessly.

 

Then came Kim and Terry Pegula, and then Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, and things began to change.   The fans felt it, not the aimless, empty hopes of the past, but something different: real hope.  Then Josh Allen arrived, and there was more than hope; there was genuine excitement.  It was all so new, so different, the fans didn’t know how to react to the beginnings of real success.  They were confused, full of conflicting emotions. 

 

Ending the drought with a win and Andy Dalton’s heroics, and Kyle Williams and his boys, didn’t release the dammed up emotions.  Beating the Patriots twice and winning the division didn’t do it, either.  Getting to the AFC championship game didn’t do it.  As the wildcard game approached, fans still wondered if their team was for real, still dreaded Belichick’s legendary game planning. 

 

Saturday night, the dam broke.  On the field, the Bills delivered one of the NFL’s most spectacular, dominant playoff performances since, well, since the Bills beat the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC Championship game in 1991.  Seven possessions, seven touchdowns, no field goal attempts, no punts, no turnovers.  Five touchdown passes, 308 yards passing, 66 yards rushing from Josh Allen. 

 

It was an all-time great offensive explosion.  The first TD to Knox was great (even for thousands of fans watching on television, waiting to get through security and into the stadium), Hyde’s interception was great, the next drive and the second Knox TD was great, play after play after play was great.   No one had seen anything like it – football perfection, and it was wearing the uniform of the Buffalo Bills.  By the second half, the fans were delirious.  As the plays continued, the Singletary runs, the exquisite deep throw by Allen and catch by Diggs, the Sanders TD reception, the Hyde punt return, the Davis TD reception, we were laughing, we were hugging, we were high-fiving.  Fans were dancing.   We sang every word of the Shout song, every time.  

 

But it was so much more than astoundingly great football.  It was the moment that Bills fans finally knew in their hearts that the decades of frustration were over.  No more doubts about Josh Allen, no more doubts about the defense, no more deep-seated fear of the Belichick magic.     

And so, for the fans in Highmark Stadium, the game became a celebration to bury the past. 

 

We sang good-bye to the Patriots, and it was more than a derisive chant to mock a defeated opponent.  It was the end of the horrible curse that had been Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and it was the end of the losing.  We sang as loud as we could, letting out all of the frustration of two decades of defeat and domination.

 

It had stopped being about football.  It was something more.  It was pure joy.  It was something we never expected, something we couldn’t have imagined.  When the game ended, when the singing and dancing and cheering and laughing were done, many fans stood in the stadium, not wanting the moment to end.  It was difficult to understand what had happened; maybe if we stayed another minute or two, we would understand.  But whatever amazing thing it was, it was over.   

 

After the game, Sean McDermott said as the clock ran down, he turned and looked into the stands.   He saw the joy.  He said he was happy for the fans. 

 

And, interestingly, he essentially said that it was moment for the fans, not for the team.   Yes, the fans had decades of disappointment, but these coaches and players didn’t.  The fans suffered through twice-a-year spankings by the Patriots, but these coaches and players didn’t.  For them, it was just a game they had to win against a team they knew they could beat, it was just a step in a process that continues.

 

There are games still to be played, championships to be won, Lombardi trophies to be raised high into the air.  Maybe this year, maybe some other year.  But for now, finally, it no longer seems impossible.

 

In one glorious night, all of the ugly past was left behind.  Not forgotten, but it no longer matters.   We’re done with the past; now is the time. 

Shaw- Absolutely fabulous fabulous Article! Well said- it brought tears to my eyes!! Thank you!!

[Billsfan1972]

Funny at times I forgot that 2020 was played without fans.  So yes Saturday was a time to rejoice together @ Highmark.

 

With the Bills, especially vs. the Patriots (and of course nightmares about the wind game earlier this year) there is always concern that first playoff game. 

 

I was at the Oakland 51-3 game in 1991, and don't remember the cold, just the party🤣.   We wandered around the stadium aimlessly as we bought scalped tickets in the parking lot, sat down and when others came to sit in their seats, saw that ours were for the prior week (Divisional Game, not Conference Final).  What I remember is that day there was not an empty seat to be found, so walked and stood, & celebrated with many fans that day. 

 

Saturday was a game the much better team was expected and did win.  But always there is concern vs. the Hoodie.  

 

Now it is on to the game everyone expected (though a round early) and circled since last January.  

 

The Offense I know (at least am confident) will be ready.  For everything that went well on Saturday, I'm still concerned that NE converted too many third, and when they didn't, fourth downs.  Bend don't break vs. KC is a big ask.

 

 

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Josh Allen....is going to win a Super Bowl. 

I've never seen an athlete just....take over like that. If he brings that same mindset these next 3 games....

Lots more demons left to die.

Great writeup too

[Stroke 17]

Shaw, you got me again. Reading your recap let me relive Saturday night again and once again a had a tear in my eye. Was there when Kelly broke the Dolphin streak with a QB keeper into the endzone , was there when the goal posts came down and passed up through the stands to Ralphs box after beating the Jets, Lots of highs and lows in the last 50 years but this was really special.

 

I know its not a Super Bowl win but having my wife, 3 daughters and a my oldest garandson with me before during and after the game plus the fact my 3 sons- in law and my other 4 grandkids at home cheering for the Bills and all of us at the Stadium, well let me say is/ was really special. We are a Bills family who have seen it all the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

As satisfying as this was I just want to share the day I gried like a newborn. I, like other Bills fans, watched throughout the years as other teams and their fans celebrated winning playoff games and advancing to the next round or the Super Bowwl, I rember dreaming of that day for my team. I rember thinking what it would be like if the Bills would win a playoff game, I dreamed that maybe one day they would win a playoff game at home, I wondered what it would be like if my Bills would win a Championship game at home and advance to the Super Bowl.

 

January 20, 1991, Buffalo Bills 51 Raiders 3. Thats the day it all came together' As the Bills could do no wrong I rember looking around the Stadium wanting to take it all in and vowing to never forget the sheer joy of all of us long suffering fans, I was crying like a baby hugging my wife and all the people who I had been sitting with since the 70,s in Section H, Row 2, Aisle 2. All of us had endured so much together, we were younger, having kids and sharing pictures of the kids, ( not on phones in those days) we really did cry, laugh and then party. 

 

Now 30 years later, while not a Championship Game win once again I have come full circle only this time I have my family that have the same addiction as me , "The Buffalo Bills". We all cried, hugged, chipped the ice off our beers, had a little Fireball together and stood and watched as the clocked to zero, Let the party begin. 

 

Not trying to hijack your post but your writing just brought it all back. All the 5 hour trips, the 10 of thousands of dollars spent, the people I have met, the whole experience and now with my family it was FANDEMONIUM.   GO BILLS!

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

12 hours ago, RunJoshRun said:

I like the summary of the game.

 

You kind of sounded like this is some kind of religious experience for you.  We love our home team the Bills but the NFL is a business looking to increase revenue every year.  Now they have gambling sponsors.  The Bills will have a private box in the stadium for Caesar's betting.  It was announced this week.  It's not the same game.  End of a curse?   Kind of silly!

 

Who is "we"?  Have you a 🐁 in your pocket?

[MiltonWaddams]

18 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Who is "we"?  Have you a 🐁 in your pocket?

Nope, but he’s got a stick up his a$$.

[Shaw66]

8 hours ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Josh Allen....is going to win a Super Bowl. 

I've never seen an athlete just....take over like that. If he brings that same mindset these next 3 games....

Lots more demons left to die.

 

You know, I have to be reminded weekly, if not daily, how great Allen is.   He still has a lot learn, and if he can learn to see and understand the game like Brady and Manning, Rodgers and Brees, he's going to have a mind-blowing career.   His ability to deliver the football is probably unprecedented in the league.   There were a couple of throws Saturday night between defenders that no quarterback except Allen completes.  

 

I've already gotten used to the fact that Allen is going to make the throw, whatever it is.  He's simply spectacular.  

 

And practically nobody is talking about that ankle-breaking move he made on the run.  Love it!