Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“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.”’

‘Beane’s face lit up with a smile, and then he broke into a laugh when one wise guy — OK, yours truly – quipped that Phillips, an impending free agent, was sure a guy who knows how to ask for a new contract.’

‘“Oh man, glory to God, great to be here,” McDermott said after the pulsating victory that wasn’t secure until his prideful and stout defense turned away two Steelers’ drives into Buffalo territory in the final two minutes. “What more can I say about the guys in the locker room? Just unbelievable resilience, unbelievable character, heart.”’

‘Punching their playoff ticket for just the second time in two decades, but second in three years under coach Sean McDermott, who won not just a battle of Xs and Os against Mike Tomlin, but a battle of emotions facing his highly accomplished former college teammate, friend and mentor.’

‘All season the cry has been for the Bills to create more turnovers. In the biggest game of the year, they came in the form of an avalanche as there were four interceptions of overmatched Steelers QB Devlin Hodges plus a huge fumble recovery inside their own 10-yard line.’