ESPN

‘In announcing the decision to cancel the game, the NFL cited three key factors: The outcome would have no bearing on which teams qualified for the postseason; playing the game would have altered the playoff schedule for the remaining teams; and not playing the game would allow all clubs to know the postseason possibilities before the start of Week 18.’

‘The Bills received updates on Hamlin’s condition from general manager Brandon Beane and head athletic trainer Nate Breske, who remained in Cincinnati with Hamlin and his family. The 24-year-old safety is now beginning to awaken as he shows “substantial improvement” in his recovery, per doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Thursday. Hamlin is still considered critically ill and has many steps ahead, but it does appear that his neurological condition is intact, according to his doctors.’

‘Taylor said that after Hamlin was placed in the ambulance and driven out of Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium at 9:25 p.m. local time, referee Shawn Smith’s officiating crew walked over to Cincinnati’s sideline to say that McDermott was still trying to sort out what happened. To expedite the decision-making process, Taylor walked over to Buffalo’s sideline to join the officials and McDermott’s conversation.’

‘The NFL said in a statement that commissioner Roger Goodell informed the teams that the game would not be resumed this week after consulting with both teams and NFL Players Association leadership. The league, however, has made no decision on resuming the game at a later date.’

‘Poyer has been dealing with the same knee injury that he suffered in the Bills’ win over the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 17.’

‘CPR was administered to Hamlin, 24, on the field for multiple minutes after he collapsed following his tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin received oxygen, according to the ESPN broadcast, as he was placed in the ambulance and taken off the field some 16 minutes after he collapsed and then was driven to nearby University of Cincinnati Medical Center.’

‘When McDermott started coaching the Bills, he prioritized setting a standard and showing what the expectations would be early. It’s what he saw when he coached under Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles. McDermott said, in addition to knowing more now than he did when he started as a head coach, the trust built between the players and the coaching staff has allowed for more player involvement and adjustments in how things are done.’

‘”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. You know, at first it was a little emotional. But you kind of get out of that. And then you get into the protocol, and you get into the everyday deal. You start feeling better, you understand that it’s just one of those things. It’s part of my story and my football story. Feeling healthy.”‘

‘”I feel like there’s more out there,” defensive tackle Ed Oliver said. “I ain’t trying to think too far ahead, but I think there’s more out there, for sure. Last couple years we came up short, but I definitely think there’s more out there. There’s more hats and there’s more shirts and there’s bigger things out there, but this was definitely the stepping stone. If you don’t get this, you can’t get that.”‘

‘Rookie James Cook ran in a career-long 27-yard touchdown to give the Bills a 21-10 lead midway through the third quarter. Cook zigged and zagged past defenders to find the end zone. The score was the second rushing touchdown of his career and his second straight game with a touchdown (receiving score vs. the Miami Dolphins last week).’

‘”It took everything we had to pull this one out tonight,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “It just makes it special. … You know, like I said, humbling. Really, that’s how I feel about it. Humbled to be a part of it in this great town that doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves, honestly. And the fans, I mean, this place is unique. So, just awesome. Awesome.”‘

‘Morse left the game in the third quarter and went into the blue medical tent on the sideline. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a head injury and was ultimately ruled out with a concussion.’

‘A defensive pass interference call put the Bills at the Dolphins’ 13 with 45 seconds left, and Tyler Bass converted a 25-yard field goal as Buffalo pulled out a 32-29 victory to clinch a playoff berth.’

‘But piles of snow were left in the stands for fans to clear themselves. Many made snowballs and threw them at other fans and also onto the field. Snow cascaded down from the upper deck to fans in the lower bowl, and snowball after snowball found its way into the end zone.’

‘Allen then placed the touchdown throw in the perfect spot for Morris on the fourth play of the drive, resulting in the first receiving TD of Morris’ career. Bills tight ends have now caught 14 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Only two were caught by someone other than Knox.’