Nostalgia Stat: The Bills retired their first-ever jersey, setting aside forever Jim Kelly’s No. 12 during a halftime ceremony, then went on to their 7th consecutive home loss. With Kelly as the starter, Buffalo was 74-23 at home.
Sociological indicator: Last year when the Dolphins retired the No. 13 of Dan Marino, whose accomplishments were about the same as Kelly’s-better stats, fewer championships, both whiffed the big game-the Miami ceremony was a nationally televised spectacular featuring rock bands, Broadway staging, fireworks, dry-ice clouds, and gorgeous half-naked dancers. For Sunday’s ceremony in Buffalo, Kelly simply walked to the center of the field with his wife, daughter, dad, and handicapped son, then spoke briefly about the importance of loyalty to family. Oh football gods, why did you deny this man a Super Bowl ring?