Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“Damar’s in the building now almost daily, and so that’s good news,” coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday before the Bills went through a walk-through practice. “It’s limited, just kind of dipping his toe back in here, but he comes in … he just started today or yesterday, just trying to get back to a little bit of a routine and just get himself acclimated again. Taking it one step, one baby step, at a time.”’

‘Each team is receiving an undetermined allotment of tickets, with season ticket holders for both teams who had previously opted-in to purchase AFC Championship Game tickets will have an exclusive presale opportunity beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday.’

‘WR Tee Higgins: He’s a big, (6-4, 215 pounds) physical player with speed who is a great No. 2 to Chase as he had 74 receptions for 1,029 yards and seven TDs. The Bills did great against the Miami duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but they had Skylar Thompson pitching, not Burrow.’

‘And one thing is for certain: If the Bills play as sloppily as they did in sneaking past the Dolphins 34-31, they will have a tough time beating a confident Bengals team that has now won nine games in a row and will tell you straight to your face that they’re the best team in the NFL.’

‘There was way too much stress for a game where the Bills were nearly two-touchdown favorites – not that that matters one bit – and playing a team that was banged up on both sides of the ball, not to mention was starting a rookie seventh-round quarterback.’

‘Ultimately, the Bills were very sloppy and their coaching staff was outcoached in this game. Though people don’t believe it, that doesn’t happen very often to McDermott’s staff.’

‘Sal’s prediction: Buffalo Bills 30, Miami Dolphins 13.’

‘The game will be available locally via the following stations: WROC (Channel 8, Rochester), WIVB (Buffalo area), WTVH (Syracuse area), WKTV (Utica area), WENY (Elmira area), WRGB (Albany area), and WBNG (Binghamton area).’

‘Since the dawn of the 21st century, the Bills-Dolphins rivalry has been mostly irrelevant because the teams have almost never been good at the same time. In fact, this is the first time since 1999 that the Bills and Dolphins have qualified for the postseason in the same year.’

‘This neutral site will only be in play if these two teams get to the title game. If the Bills don’t qualify, Kansas City would host all other teams. And if the Bills do qualify, and the Chiefs lose in the divisional round, Highmark Stadium would host the game.’

‘Thompson is a seventh-round rookie who started the Dolphins season finale against the Jets, though he did very little in Miami’s 11-6 victory. He has now appeared in seven games with two starts. His first start came in Week 6 at home against Minnesota, a 13-7 loss during which he completed only seven of 13 passes for 89 yards.’

‘Hamlin’s journey from his on-field emergency against the Bengals, to his two days of being sedated and intubated while listed in critical condition, to his rapid improvement late last week, to being discharged from University of Cincinnati Medical Center and flown back to Buffalo, to being sent home Wednesday, has captivated the nation, and even the world.’

‘If he can’t play, and backup Teddy Bridewater is recovered enough from the broken thumb he suffered in Week 17 at New England to start, the Dolphins are 10-point underdogs. And if neither can play and the Dolphins have to go with rookie Skylar Thompson, the spread balloons to 14 points.’

‘“I traveled with him to the airport this morning with our UC Health, air care and bubble care crew, including teammates who are with us on the field when Damar collapsed,” Knight continued. “He landed safely and as standard as anybody who has gone through what he’s gone through this past week, and certainly after flying on a plane, he is going to be observed and monitored to ensure that there’s no impact from the flight of his condition or on his lungs.”‘

‘And then in the third quarter, with the Bills listing a bit against a fired up New England team, he did it again, this time going 101 yards for a go-ahead touchdown which ultimately sent the Bills on their way to a tense, hard-fought 35-23 victory.’