In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we break down the news that Bills fans will be allowed inside Bills Stadium for Buffalo’s home playoff games, including the protocols fans will have to follow and who can purchase tickets to Buffalo’s first home playoff game in 25 years.
We also discuss Buffalo’s possible playoff opponents for next weekend’s Wild Card round, examine whether head coach Sean McDermott should play his starters or rest them in Week 17 vs. the Miami Dolphins, analyze the news that free-agent wide receiver Kenny Stills visited Buffalo and what his signing could mean for the Bills’ passing attack, learn more about weekly honors for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, address how the Bills have transitioned from underdogs to a top dog in the AFC, see where quarterback Josh Allen sits in the NFL MVP conversation, and much more!
#BillsMafia Allowed in for Playoff Games
About 6,800 will be allowed in Bills stadium for playoff game | Local News | buffalonews.com
Fans will now have the opportunity to be there in person for the first Buffalo Bills home playoff game in a quarter of a century.
Cuomo to allow some fans for Bills playoff game - Democrat & Chronicle
“Some fans will be allowed to attend Buffalo Bills home playoff game after getting tested.”
Bills to allow 6,700 fans inside Bills Stadium for playoffs - WGR 550
“New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that 6,700 fans will be allowed to attend Buffalo Bills home playoff games this January at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park.”
Buffalo Bills granted permission to have fans at playoff game, first crowd of season - ESPN.com
“New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that Bills Stadium will be open to a limited number of fans for the playoffs.”
6,700 will be admitted to Buffalo Bills first playoff game; Cuomo says it’s a pilot program - newyorkupstate.com
Cuomo said it’s a pilot to reopen other businesses later.
Bills to host fans for wild-card game; COVID testing required - NFL.com
“Bills Mafia will be live and in-person when the playoffs kick off in Buffalo for the first time in 25 years.”
‘Be safe, be smart, and be loud’ | Bills owners are eager to welcome back fans - BuffaloBills.com
Terry and Kim Pegula share their thoughts on fans returning to Bills Stadium for a playoff game.
Plan for Fans to Attend Wild Card Playoff Game Approved - BuffaloBills.com
“New York State has approved a capacity of 6,700 fans to attend our Wild Card playoff game.”
Buffalo Bills playoff tickets 2021: How to get them - Democrat & Chronicle
“The state will permit up to 6,700 fans for the team’s first playoff game, or a little more than 9% of the total capacity at Bills Stadium.”
Cuomo says Buffalo Bills fans can attend playoff game in person — and he’ll be there too - CBS News
“It’s been a long time, and that team has a charisma and personality that is infectious,” Gov. Cuomo said.
Cuomo will be among 6,700 Bills fans allowed into NFL playoff game - New York Post
“A pandemic isn’t going to stop the Buffalo Bills from opening stadium gates for a playoff game for the first time in 24 years.”
What to know about attending the Bills playoff game | Local News | buffalonews.com
Want to go to the Bills’ home playoff game? Here’s what you need to know.
No secondary market for Bills playoff tickets; they are nontransferable and can’t be resold | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Only those who receive ticket(s) to the Bills’ Wild Card playoff game will be allowed inside.
‘Bills Mafia is back’: Fans rejoice at prospects of limited attendance at playoff game | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Bills Mafia is excited some fans will be in the stands.
Bills fans to attend Wild Card game? Company looking for playoff tester/swabbers ASAP - newyorkupstate.com
Adecco USA posted a job looking for test swabbers for Buffalo’s Wild Card game.
Did ‘The Simpsons’ correctly predict how fans will attend games at Bills Stadium for the playoffs? - WKBW
“During the song, Homer Simpson is seen at a mostly empty Bills Stadium with another fan that is way more than six feet away, little did they know that more than a year and a half later, fans will be spread out at Bills Stadium for the first home playoff game in over 25 years.”
Potential First-Round Playoff Opponents
Still wide open in terms of Bills’ opponent - Democrat & Chronicle
The Bills don’t even know what their playoff seed is, let alone who their first-round opponent will be.
What to watch for in Bills’ last game before the playoffs – The Athletic
The Bills have a 92 percent chance to end up with the No. 2 seed, with the Dolphins and Colts as their likeliest opponents. (Subscription required).
With signs pointing to resting starters, here’s how Bills playoff picture looks | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
If the Bills beat Miami, Buffalo’s likeliest opponent in the first round is Indianapolis.
Should Buffalo Play Starters vs. Dolphins and Game Predictions
Will Josh Allen, Bills starters play against Miami? Sean McDermott has plan - newyorkupstate.com
McDermott talked briefly about the decision of playing starters versus backups in Week 17 on Tuesday.
Maiorana: Bills should play to win against Miami - Democrat & Chronicle
Bills coach Sean McDermott’s pressing decision is whether he should play key starters and go for the victory that would lock up the No. 2 seed.
Bills at Dolphins | Numbers to know + score predictions | Week 17 - BuffaloBills.com
“Here’s everything you need to know before the Miami Dolphins take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season.”
Free Agent WR Kenny Stills visits the Bills
Report: Wide receiver Kenny Stills visiting Bills, optimism about deal | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
He was released by the Houston Texans in late November in what was deemed a mutual parting.
Bills hosting free agent WR Kenny Stills for visit, ‘optimism deal gets done’ (Report) - newyorkupstate.com
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Bills are hoping to sign Stills once he clears COVID-19 protocols.
Report: Wide receiver Kenny Stills visiting Bills - WGR 550
“ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that free agent wide receiver Kenny Stills is visiting with the Buffalo Bills, and even indicated that a deal could get done between the two sides.”
Kenny Stills visits the Bills and there’s optimism he will will sign with Buffalo, per report - CBSSports.com
“Stills was most recently with Houston Texans.”
Honors for Stefon Diggs
Bills receiver Stefon Diggs named AFC Offensive Player of the Week | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Stefon Diggs was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, the first Bills wide receiver to earn that honor since Andre Reed in Week 12 in 1994.
Bills’ Stefon Diggs named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, thinks offense just ‘scratching surface’ - newyorkupstate.com
Diggs caught nine passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots.
Stefon Diggs named AFC Offensive Player of the Week - WGR 550
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after his Week 16 performance against the New England Patriots in Foxboro.
Odds and Ends
Jim Kubiak: Unleashing the fun has been among keys to Bills QB Josh Allen’s rise | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“It wasn’t the football or the execution that stood out, as much as the joy and the obvious fun the Buffalo players were having,” writes Jim Kubiak.
Bills transitioning from underdog to a big dog in AFC as playoffs approach - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Buffalo has always found motivation in a perceived lack of respect, but at 12-3 its days as a dark horse have vanished.
NFL MVP watch 2020 - Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen or someone else? Ranking the top five candidates - ESPN.com
Is Aaron Rodgers destined for his third MVP award? Will Patrick Mahomes win his second? Is there another candidate with a convincing case?
Josh Allen optimistic Cole Beasley can return for playoffs for Bills - newyorkupstate.com
Allen: “I know Cole is going to do everything in his power to be out there. If it’s not this week it’ll be next week.”
Bills Today | Where Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs rank among the NFL’s best QB-WR duos - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Thursday, Dec. 31.
Bills sign wide receiver Gary Jennings Jr. to practice squad | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
He had spent late last season, the offseason and training camp with the Miami Dolphins. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.
Alan Pergament: Bills’ victory over Pats gets rating in Super Bowl territory | Columnists | buffalonews.com
Led by quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Buffalo’s dominance of their longtime nemesis had a 49.5 rating.
Mario Butler’s father was murdered in the most unspeakable way. This is what Butler did next. - Go Long with Tyler Dunne
“Maybe you’ve never heard of the former NFL cornerback. How he lives his life? After everything? That’s a lesson for us all into 2021. Today’s “Throwback Thursday” Q&A inside.”
Josh Allen, Jack Eichel: Buffalo’s sports figures for 2021 – The Athletic
“With some stability in Buffalo sports, our rundown is dominated by those who coach and play the games, not those who bankroll them.” (Subscription required).
Alan Pergament: Jills’ lawsuit gets national attention on PBS’ ‘Independent Lens’ | Television | buffalonews.com
The Bills are in the center of the workplace controversy in the “Independent Lens” program, “A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem.”
Featured on Buffalo Rumblings
COVID-19: New York State will allow Buffalo Bills fans to attend Wild Card home game - Buffalo Rumblings
It’s the first home playoff game since 1995.
Comprehensive Buffalo Bills playoff scenario breakdown - Buffalo Rumblings
Assuming no ties, that is...
Power ranking the Buffalo Bills’ potential first-round playoff opponents - Buffalo Rumblings
Which team do we want to see, and which teams do we want to avoid?
Can Josh Allen win MVP? Evaluating the contenders for the NFL’s top honor - Buffalo Rumblings
Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, or Josh Allen. Who will it be?
BBR: Steve Tasker is long overdue to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Buffalo Rumblings
The greatest special teams player of all time deserves to make the HOF.
Buffalo Bills adding WR Kenny Stills for playoff run, per report - Buffalo Rumblings
Shoring up the WR position before the playoffs.
Jamie D and Big Newt: Domination and Coronation - Buffalo Rumblings
Bills destroy the Patriots, anointing themselves class of the AFC East.
Cole Beasley headlines short injury list for Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills are already pursuing alternatives in the short term.
Revisiting five Buffalo Bills to watch at the New England Patriots - Buffalo Rumblings
We went out on some limbs this week, and our picks played well—just not as well as some more obvious choices.
Revisiting five New England Patriots to watch against the Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Yikes.
Penalty recap: Buffalo Bills cleanly throttle New England Patriots - Buffalo Rumblings
Very few flags to sully.
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: Rookie review - Buffalo Rumblings
Davis’s big day that could have been, Moss earns another touchdown.
AFC Playoffs: Ben Roethlisberger to rest Week 17 - Buffalo Rumblings
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday that future Hall of Fame QB Ben Roethlisberger would sit out the team’s final game of the season on Sunday to get rest.
AFC East Roundup: 2021 draft seeding - Buffalo Rumblings
A look at the current draft slots for the AFC East.