Bills Links, 1/5: Heartbreaking defeat in Houston

The season came to a close for the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, thanks to a heartbreaking 22-19 loss to the Houston Texans. Today’s links include plenty of coverage from the game, including Lorenzo Alexander’s announcement of his retirement, report cards from the games, and why fans can feel optimistic for the future.

Arrow Up/Arrow Down - Bills at Texans | WGR 550 SportsRadio
“Bills lose and season ends in Houston”

Buffalo Bills players react to season ending loss to Houston Texans - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills were able to get out to a 16-0 lead on Saturday, but the team failed to put the Texans away.

Buffalo Bills’ locker room filled with pain after loss to Texans; but there’s still hope for fans - newyorkupstate.com
Bills safety Micah Hyde said it'll take until August to get "nasty taste" of defeat out of the mouths of all the players after playoff loss.

‘A lot of pain in that locker room’: Josh Allen, Sean McDermott let down Bills in collapse against Texans – The Athletic
The Bills took a 16-0 lead to halftime, giving fans feelings of exhilaration they haven't felt in over a decade. Then the bottom fell out. (Subscription required.)

Second-half collapse sends Bills into offseason looking for playmakers - Buffalo Bills Blog - ESPN
The Bills had their best season since the turn of the century in QB Josh Allen's second year as they work to usher in a new era for the franchise.

7 observations from Bills-Texans: Josh Allen’s regression and questionable coaching decisions dooms Bills’ playoff hopes – The Athletic
There was much to blame in the Bills' loss, a game the franchise will feel through the offseason. (Subscription required.)

Bills' Josh Allen says wild-card loss 'on my shoulders' - ESPN
Bills quarterback Josh Allen took Saturday's Wild Card loss to the Texans personally, saying, "Teams go how their quarterbacks usually go, and I've got to be better for this team."

Conservative coaching, confusing defensive game plan hurt Bills in loss – The Buffalo News "Grading the Bills in their 22-19 overtime loss to the Texans on Saturday at NRG Stadium" (Subscription required.)

Bills defense rues missed opportunities after dominant first half vs. Texans – The Buffalo News
"The Bills dominated the Texans through nearly three quarters of their wild-card playoff game before blowing a 16-0 lead" (Subscription required.)

Bills’ Matt Milano on Texans’ Deshaun Watson’s great escape: ‘We just missed the tackle’ – The Buffalo News
"Neal and Milano both were mystified that they did not come up with a sack on the play." (Subscription required.)

Lorenzo Alexander retires, hopes to have Kyle Williams type role in Buffalo Bills organization - newyorkupstate.com
Alexander said there would be no going back on his decision to retire following the Bills' overtime loss to the Texans.

Heartbreak Warfare | WGR 550 SportsRadio
“This is only the beginning of something special in Buffalo football”

Bills owner Kim Pegula was too nervous to actually watch the AFC wild-card game — it was probably for the best – The Athletic
The Buffalo Bills co-owner has a notoriously uneasy stomach when it comes to watching her people compete. (Subscription required.)

Buffalo Bills get conservative, lose in OT to Houston Texans (Wild Card Report Card) - newyorkupstate.com
Here's how the Bills graded out following their Wild Card Weekend match-up against the Texans.

Featured on Buffalo Rumblings

Buffalo Bills 19, Houston Texans 22: Rapid recap and notes - Buffalo Rumblings
A heartbreaking finish in Texas.

Five observations: Buffalo Bills blow big lead, lose heartbreaker in Wild Card - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo blew it.

New England Patriots lose, securing Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl record - Buffalo Rumblings
Four straight still stands.

Lorenzo Alexander officially announces retirement following Buffalo Bills loss - Buffalo Rumblings
It’s over.