‘This was not going to be a team that would have questions about the (gasp) offense. There’s no way Stefon Diggs could be doubted. This is not a team that would need to fire a coordinator. Or a team that would lose to Zach Wilson (again!) and Mac Jones. A team that would blow games on rudimentary special teams blunders. A team that began December not yet above .500.’
BillsBeat - January 9, 2024
NFL Playoffs: Bills vs Steelers TV and tickets
‘The game will be televised on CBS/WROC, but if you’re thinking about going, it’s going to cost you. Tickets, even in furthest reaches of the 300-level are starting around $300 (with fees) and they’re going fast. End zone seats are in the $400-$500 range. Lower-bowl around midfield are ranging from $600 – $900.’
McDermott praises big moments from role players in AFC East-clinching win in Miami
‘”It speaks volumes to those guys and who they are —their DNA,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “They’re not household names, and they haven’t been all season, but they continue to work and they’re ready to go when their number is called. That’s how they’ve been all season long. That’s how you win.”‘
What to know about Bills first-round playoff game against Steelers
‘The 10-7 Steelers got into the playoffs as a wild card, beating the Ravens in the final week of the regular season. Although the Steelers are coming off a win from the No. 1 ranked team, the Ravens had many of their second-string players in, resting their all-star quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Bills haven’t faced the Steelers this regular season.’
Sean McDermott's 'aggressive' decisions pay off & Josh Allen shows his greatness on go-ahead TD drive
‘”That was great communication on their part and we were able to win that one which ended up being a pivotal moment in the game,” McDermott said.’
Buffalo Bills' opponents for 2024 season finalized
‘With the regular season coming to a close, the Buffalo Bills’ opponents for the 2024 season have been finalized. The Bills will host AFC West champions Kansas City and will travel to play both Baltimore and Detroit, who both won their respective divisions.’
BillsBeat - January 8, 2024
Observations: Buffalo Bills are AFC East champions for a fourth straight season after win over Miami Dolphins
‘Time after time, the Bills found a way to shoot themselves in the foot in the first half against the Miami Dolphins, but found a way to overcome all those mistakes and earn a 21-14 victory. In so doing, the Bills secured their fourth consecutive AFC East title and earned the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs. They will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. Sunday in the wild-card round.’
Ryan O'Halloran: Take a bow, Bills defense – Sunday night was your finest three hours
‘“It’s awesome,” said middle linebacker Terrell Bernard, who made nine tackles. “It goes back to what we talk about – (after the Philadelphia game), we knew we had everything in front of us and we just had to take it one day, one moment and one week at a time.”’
'That was like the spark': Deonte Harty sets Bills record with 96-yard punt return TD
‘Harty caught the ball at the 4 and made a quick cut to blow past Justin Bethel, the first Dolphins coverage man in his face. Harty didn’t realize how deep he was. “I didn’t,” he said. “I could hear people saying no. But I was in my zone. … I knew he kind of outkicked his coverage a little bit. I kind of like took a peek, and (there) wasn’t really nobody in front of me for like 10 yards, 15 yards. So, once I seen that, I knew it was go time.”’
Three questions: Why Josh Allen rules Miami; where Deonte Harty's TD ranks
‘This is not complicated. Miami’s defense has not been good during most of Allen’s career. Here are the Dolphins’ defensive rankings in yards allowed from 2018 to 2022: 29th, 30th, 20th, 15th and 18th.’
How It Happened: Top plays, standout players from Bills' 21-14 win over Miami
‘A thunderbolt of a play with 13:42 remaining tied the score at 14-14 on a 96-yard punt return touchdown by the Bills’ Harty, the longest in franchise history. It was the Bills’ first punt return touchdown since Isaiah McKenzie in 2020 (84 yards).’
Plays that shaped the game: Josh Allen channels Jim Kelly in fourth quarter vs. Miami
‘Allen saw that and took off to his right. Linebacker Jerome Baker dove and grabbed Allen by the waist at the 39. Allen ran through his arms. Then 310-pound defensive tackle Christian Wilkins dove and collided with Allen’s hip at the 43. Allen bounced off him and dove forward through the arms of cornerback Kader Kohou, landing at the Miami 46.’
Report Card: Coaching staff deserves a shout-out after Bills' win over Dolphins
The Bills piled up 473 yards on offense, which goes to show interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s plan was working. They simply needed to stop shooting themselves in the foot.’
Division champs: Bills defeat Dolphins for AFC East title to complete improbable turnaround
‘They may have already punched their ticket to the postseason when the Jaguars found a way to lose to the Titans earlier in the day, but with the big prize on the line – the AFC East division title and the No. 2 seed – the Bills drove their fans absolutely nuts for 60 minutes before somehow, despite a litany of missteps and mistakes, pulling out a tension-packed 21-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins.’
Bills report card: Buffalo's depth fuels title over Dolphins, could lead to deep playoff run
‘Harty, who has basically been a free agent bust, certainly saved his biggest play of the season for the most opportune moment, the fourth quarter of the final game as he broke a stunning 96-yard punt return that tied matters at 14-14. Harty clearly has game-breaking speed, but the Bills never found a way to use it on offense, and he hasn’t really given them anything in the return game, until Sunday.’