Buffalo Bills Rally on NFL Sunday, Cheeseheads Aren’t Happy with the Green Bay Packers

Posted on: January 9, 2023, 02:12h. 

Last updated on: January 9, 2023, 01:56h.

Erik Gibbs Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

The Buffalo Bills honored Damar Hamlin, now out of danger after suffering a cardiac arrest last Monday, with a victory against the New England Patriots on Sunday. That also allowed the Miami Dolphins to get into the playoffs six years after their last appearance.

On a day in which the Chicago Bears, the worst team in the league, got the first pick in the next NFL Draft, the playoff picture was almost completely in focus. There were only a couple of question marks remaining.

The Bills were already in, but the Green Bay Packers had their eyes firmly on one of the openings. The Detroit Lions, however, had other plans and pulled off a major – and embarrassing – coup.

Bills Show Mettle

The Bills, with Hamlin watching the game from his hospital bed, picked up an emotional 35-23 victory over the New England Patriots, guaranteeing them the number-two spot in the AFC. The Pats needed to beat Buffalo to earn a bye, but will now miss the postseason for the second time in three years after the departure of QB Tom Brady in 2020.

Bills special teams running back Nyheim Hines sparked an emotionally charged atmosphere in Buffalo, returning two kickoffs to the end zone. The first was on the opening kickoff for 96 yards, setting the stage for what was to come. The second was just as impressive, a 101-yarder in the third quarter.

https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1612148627904032768

Bills wide receiver John Brown added a TD of his own, his first in two years. Afterwards, he gave the ball to Denny Kellington, the team’s assistant athletic trainer and the man everyone celebrates for saving Hamlin’s life.

Next weekend, Buffalo will host the Miami Dolphins, their divisional rivals, in the wild-card round. The Fins beat the New York Jets on Sunday in a TD-less game that definitely wasn’t pretty.

There was a lot of tension until the last seconds of that game. The Dolphins, behind third-string QB Skylar Thompson, were facing elimination with 18 seconds left. Then, on the final possession, they got within 50 yards and Jason Sanders connected on his third field goal of the afternoon. That was enough to give Miami an 11-6 victory and a ticket to the postseason.

Lions Upset Packers

The Detroit Lions entered Sunday night’s game with no chance of advancing to the postseason because the Seahawks (9-8) defeated the Los Angeles Rams earlier in the day. A victory against the Packers would only be good for bragging rights.

Green Bay, entering Sunday’s game on a four-game winning streak, was the favorite to win and advance. However, they ran into some trouble against a pride of Lions who were hungry for victory.

The game was close until the last quarter. Detroit took a 20-16 lead with 5:55 left in the game following a pivotal TD for running back Jamaal Williams. That score set a franchise record for the most rushing touchdowns (17) in a single season, surpassing the legendary Barry Sanders (16 in 1991).

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers returned to the field with plenty of time to spare to try to lead his team into yet another postseason. However, the veteran threw an interception, and the Lions didn’t give up the ball for the rest of the game. That brought Rodgers’ season (and, if there’s any truth to certain rumors, possibly his career) to an end.

It’s also going to bring into question the future of Quay Walker. Green Bay’s rookie linebacker was tossed out of the game after pushing a member of the Lions’ training staff. It’s his second ejection of the season, and he’s not leaving a good look for himself or the Packers. 

Playoff Brackets Set

The postseason lineup is now set and this is what fans and bettors are looking at ahead of the first games next weekend: