Have you recovered from the Buffalo Bills’ thrilling, heartbeat-raising 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round?
In today’s edition of the Bills daily links, we recap the victory, Buffalo’s first playoff win in 25 years. We praise quarterback Josh Allen for his play in the win, especially how well he played when he got outside the pocket, and discuss why rookies Gabriel Davis and Tyler Bass played a large role in the win.
We offer up observations, provide analysis and grade the Bills on their victory, which wasn’t decided until a desperation Hail Mary pass from Philip Rivers was batted down by Micah Hyde in the waning moments.
We hear from Bills players and coaches on how much it meant to have fans back in the stands for the first time this year, turn our attention to the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo’s opponent in the divisional round Saturday night, and much more!
Recapping the Win over the Colts
Maiorana: Josh Allen is why the Bills advanced - Democrat & Chronicle -
If not for Josh Allen’s performance, the Buffalo Bills probably would not have beaten the Indianapolis Colts.
Analysis: Colts felt the burn when Josh Allen got outside the pocket | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Allen was 7 of 9 for 117 yards with a touchdown on plays outside the pocket in the 27-24 victory,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Vic Carucci: More mature, composed Josh Allen leads Bills to first playoff win since ‘95 | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“On Saturday, he showed the necessary poise that allowed the Bills to not let the game slip away,” writes Vic Carucci.
Josh Allen’s growth on display in first playoff victory with Bills - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Buffalo’s quarterback continues to thrive when he’s on the move, something the Bills will rely on deeper into the postseason.
Josh Allen’s magic lifts Buffalo Bills to playoff win – The Athletic
“If Josh Allen does not win the MVP, this thing is rigged,” Dion Dawkins said. (Subscription required).
Josh Allen’s growth on full display in Bills’ wild-card win – The Athletic
Allen rescued the Bills with one drive that was symbolic of all the progress he’s made in his third year in the NFL. (Subscription required).
Upon Further Review: Tyler Bass plays off longest rookie field goal as just another kick | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Bass’s field goal Saturday was the longest in playoff history for a rookie.
Bills, Gabriel Davis beat Colts in playoff game of inches – The Athletic
Gabriel Davis wasn’t yet born when Buffalo last won a playoff game, but he made two plays that made longtime Bills fans proud. (Subscription required).
Bills Today | How rookies Gabriel Davis and Tyler Bass helped secure a Bills playoff win - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Sunday, Jan. 10.
Bills test our nerves, but playoff win drought is over - WGR 550
Josh Allen and the passing game came up big, again. The defense came up big when it absolutely had to. Add it up and the Bills have their first post season victory since 1995.
Why the Bills’ wild-card win over the Colts should make AFC playoff teams nervous - What Buffalo learned on its winning streak - ESPN.com
Buffalo didn’t play well in its win over Indianapolis on Saturday. That should scare the rest of the AFC playoff field.
‘The turning point of the game’ | Inside the two minutes that gave the Bills their wild-card lead - BuffaloBills.com
A goal-line stand paved the way for a thrilling go-ahead drive to end the first half on Saturday.
The playoff monkey is finally off the Bills’ backs - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 on Saturday in a Wild Card Round matchup.
Bills Today | Bills reached these five milestones in their playoff victory - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Monday, Jan. 11.
NFL playoff officiating decisions - Why was OPI called on Willie Snead but not A.J. Brown? - ESPN.com
Should officials have called offensive pass interference on Titans receiver A.J. Brown on his first-quarter TD on Sunday?
Report Card, Observations, Analysis from Wild Card Win
Report card: Bills are good enough to not play well and still win in playoffs - Democrat & Chronicle
Sal Maiorana grades the Bills on their 27-24 victory over the Colts in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
Arrow Up/Arrow Down: Colts at Bills - WGR 550
“The Buffalo Bills won their first playoff game since 1995 by beating the Indianapolis Colts 27-24, in the AFC Wild Card Round on Saturday,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Bills’ Cole Beasley ‘tough as nails’ in win over Colts on Wild Card Weekend (8 reasons to be encouraged, 3 reasons to be worried) - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo’s slot receiver put together a gutsy performance against Indianapolis.
What we learned from snap counts in Bills’ wild-card win, game ball and more | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“A pair of key contributors had surprisingly small roles for the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in their wild-card playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts,” writes Jay Skurski.
Position grades: Matt Milano’s versatility shined vs. Colts | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Linebacker Matt Milano was at his versatile best in Saturday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Gabe Davis’ fancy footwork helps Bills’ offense come to life in wild-card win | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The way Gabriel Davis explains it, the process of making spectacular toe-tapping catches on the sideline almost should be expected considering the Buffalo Bills’ receivers work on that skill daily in practice,” writes Miguel Rodriguez.
Bills’ Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis are playmakers in win over Colts (Wild Card report card) - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo’s defense held when it mattered most, but it was not a great day for the front seven.
Bills’ Josh Allen impresses: ‘People who passed up on QB looking real crazy right now’ (Media reactions) - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills quarterback had a historic day in Buffalo’s Wild Card victory.
Super Wild Card Weekend: What we learned from Saturday’s games - NFL.com
“Following the first day of the postseason, the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving on.”
Welcome Back, Fans
Bills blown away by ‘amazing, exceptional, awesome’ crowd noise from 6,700 fans | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The fans and how much noise they made today, even at 6,700, I guess, was the number, incredible, man,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said.
‘It was just electric’ | Inside the atmosphere at Bills Stadium for Saturday’s playoff game - BuffaloBills.com
Ken “Pinto Ron” Johnson shares his experiences from Buffalo’s first home playoff game in 24 years.
Early Thoughts on the Ravens
Bills will play Ravens on Saturday night in Orchard Park - WGR 550
“The National Football League announced Sunday night the dates and times for the Divisional Round playoff games next weekend, and the Buffalo Bills will host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 8:15 p.m. EST on NBC,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Five things to know about Baltimore Ravens, the Bills’ divisional playoff opponent | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The Buffalo Bills will host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday in an AFC divisional playoff game at Bills Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on NBC.”
Bills vs. Ravens is set: 6 thoughts on AFC divisional round matchup - newyorkupstate.com
Showdown between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson will be battle of QBs taken in 2018 draft.
NFL playoffs 2020 bracket - Divisional-round schedule and previews for AFC, NFC games - ESPN.com
The divisional-round matchups are set. Here’s everything you need to know, with x-factors, what to watch for and more in all four games.
Buffalo Bills will play Ravens on Saturday night in divisional round - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo will play its second home playoff game in consecutive weeks on NBC.
Buffalo Bills to host the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round on Saturday night - BuffaloBills.com
Bills get set for primetime playoff game.
Ravens at Bills: live stream, time, TV, tickets, odds - Democrat & Chronicle
Information on Saturday night’s divisional round playoff game in Buffalo.
Odds and Ends
Man’s teary face symbolizes Bills fans’ reaction to playoff win | Local News | buffalonews.com
“When Jason Poch left his Hamburg home Saturday for the Buffalo Bills-Indianapolis Colts playoff game at Bills Stadium, he suggested what seemed an unlikely scenario to his 7-year-old son,” writes Robert J. McCarthy.
Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll interviews for Jets coaching vacancy | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Daboll is also scheduled to complete an interview with the Los Angeles Chargers later Sunday,” writes Jay Skurski.
Bills’ Dion Dawkins: If Josh Allen doesn’t win MVP, ‘this thing is rigged’ | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“In the 27-24 win against the Colts, Allen passed for 324 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, for a passer rating of 121.6.”
Donations to Oishei’s Patricia Allen Fund surpass $1,090,000 as Bills keep moving through postseason | News 4 Buffalo
“The fund was created in honor of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s grandmother shortly after she passed away during the regular season,” writes Evan Anstey.
WNY eye doctors offer free Lasik surgery to NFL replay official after Bills’ win | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“There was a lot of angst among Bills fans about the apparent fumble that was not ruled a fumble in the final minute of Saturday’s 27-24 victory against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC wild-card game.”
Alan Pergament: CBS’ Davis, Eagle, Steratore are ‘uber’ sharp in Bills historic victory | Television | buffalonews.com
“To use one of Charles Davis’ favorite words Saturday describing the aggressiveness of Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich, the analyst was ‘uber’ sharp,” writes Alan Pergament.
Featured on Buffalo Rumblings
AFC Playoffs: Buffalo Bills will face the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round - Buffalo Rumblings
Lamar vs Josh.
Buffalo Bills will play divisional playoff round on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. - Buffalo Rumblings
Nighttime playoff football in Buffalo!
Circling the Wagons: Bills finish off Colts to win first playoff game since 1995! - Buffalo Rumblings
Whew.... just whew! Listen now!
Takeaways: Buffalo Bills survive Indianapolis Colts to advance to divisional playoffs - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills squeaked out a victory over the Indianapolis Colts for the first playoff win since 1995. It wasn’t easy, and the Colts kept it a game until the final snap, but Buffalo will host a divisional game.
Buffalo Bills put an anchor on smooth-sailing Indianapolis Colts running backs - Buffalo Rumblings
The most dangerous threat: neutralized.
Blown fumble review tarnishes officiating on Wild Card weekend - Buffalo Rumblings
After a long review the refs STILL made the wrong call.
Penalty Recap: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills Wild Card Round - Buffalo Rumblings
So few flags.
Buffalo Bills preparing a massive contract extension for Josh Allen, per report - Buffalo Rumblings
Josh Allen is setting himself up to be a very rich man.