Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Owner Ralph Wilson was so impressed by Johnson’s performance that he ordered Phillips to start him in the wild-card game at Tennessee. Speculation ran wild that the edict came down from Wilson, but Phillips fell on the sword and dutifully proclaimed it was his call. No one believed that, and years later the truth came out.’

‘“We’re going to play the majority of the guys, they’re going to practice this week and play; Josh will play and we’ll go from there,” McDermott said. “Certainly there’s a lot of different ways you can go about it. I’ve been around it (from his days with Philadelphia and Carolina) and so, just where we are for this team, this year, and where we’re trying to go, we feel like this is the right thing for this team, this year, in this situation.”’

‘The Bills have scored only eight touchdowns in the last four games against playoff quality teams, which is right in line with their average TDs per game for the season (2.3). They entered Week 16 ranked 22nd in points (20.8) and yards per game (336.1), 28th in passing yards (201.2), and 21st in average yards per drive (30.0); those numbers won’t be improved heading into the finale against the Jets.’

‘Beginning with a Week 1 come-from-behind victory over the New York Jets, slow starts have plagued the Bills, putting the onus on their Top 5 defense to keep games close until Allen and his offense kick in gear.’

‘“It’s frustrating,” the 36-year-old team leader said following Buffalo’s latest loss to the Patriots, a 24-17 decision Saturday night at Gillette Stadium which officially ended the race for the AFC East division title as New England won it for the 11th year in a row. In turn, this locks Buffalo into the wild-card as the fifth seed with all signs pointing to a visit to Houston in the first round of the postseason.’

‘In losing a one-score game to the Patriots (12-3) for a second time this season, the Bills (10-5), just as they did in beating Dallas and Pittsburgh on the road and losing at home to Baltimore, showed they are “playoff caliber’’ just not “championship’’ caliber, not yet at least.’

‘Sean McDermott is now 0-6 all-time against Bill Belichick. And while it’s nice that his teams always give the Patriots a tough game, something Belichick readily acknowledges, there comes a point when you have to beat the best in the business. On offense, the Bills dialed up a couple pretty plays to score their two touchdowns, but Brian Daboll couldn’t find a way to get the running game going, and then when the Patriots brought pressure, there was no reasonable answer, which has been an ongoing problem.’

‘“Some ugly mistakes that I made early on, a couple throws that obviously I wish I had back but again I wouldn’t take it back for anything, because I learned some valuable lessons in that one,’’ Allen said. “It’s kind of helped me throughout the season just being smarter with the football and taking care of the football and helping this football team win games.’’’

‘Patriots 19, Bills 13.’

‘“Whoever didn’t vote for Jordan, you’re not my friend,” Oliver said Wednesday afternoon. “I voted for him and I feel like he should be a starter in the Pro Bowl. Point blank, period. Competing with him has elevated my game, that’s why I’m hurt that he’s not a Pro Bowler.”’

‘“Ralph has been a good partner of mine, call it, and in some ways a mentor, honestly, in the bandwidth of his experience,” McDermott said. “He’s been in a lot of places and done a lot of things and accomplished a lot over the course of his career, so I try to stay in touch with him and encourage him. I’m not sure I share much that he can use, but he’s certainly shared some things that I’ve been able to use.’’’

‘Players aren’t saying “Come get me,’’ they’re telling McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, “Please keep me.’’’

‘“You don’t get to 10 wins without a good quarterback,” said tight end Lee Smith in the glow of the winning locker room. “Not in the NFL. I’m not concerned with what anybody in the outside world thinks. All I know is I’m sure as hell glad Josh Allen is our quarterback. We got to 10 wins because of him.”’

‘Aside from watching the game with fellow fans at a local bar, streaming services may be the best bet.’

‘“It was awesome, I’m not going to lie,” Kroft said. “It’s been a marathon this year, getting hurt, ending my season last year and then getting hurt in OTAs and working my way back. We preach having a mentally strong team here. I think we do. It was awesome.”’