I've always felt the Bills carry more of an identity with the city than most any other pro sports organization. Certainly any community will use a sports team as a rallying cry for boosting a city or metro area, but I think that concept is stronger (and maybe a bit unhealthy) in Buffalo. I think some of the more downtrodden towns over the years treat their sports teams like that. The Clevelands, Pittsburghs....and others of that ilk.
In Buffalo it takes on an even larger role. It becomes the identity of the community that is portrayed around the nation. Winning is probably viewed by some as the only positive bit of news that can be leaked out in the national press. It's like a football team producing positive results for an entire metro area. It becomes a very serious thing, too serious. I tend to think it becomes the entire focal point of the region. That is an unhealthy obsession.