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Buffalo Bills Links, 1/4: Bills drub Dolphins

Buffalo will host the Indianapolis Colts at 1:05 p.m. Saturday in the Wild Card round

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With the Buffalo Bills’ (13-3) 56-26 trouncing of the Miami Dolphins (10-6) on Sunday, Buffalo has secured the No. 2 seed for the upcoming AFC playoffs and will host the Indianapolis Colts (11-5) on Saturday in a Wild Card game.

Today’s edition of the Bills daily links recaps the win—Buffalo’s second-highest scoring output in franchise history—as the Bills set a franchise record for points scored in a season (501). (So much for head coach Sean McDermott resting his starters.) Buffalo matched the 1990 and 1991 squads for most wins in a season while going 6-0 against AFC East foes for the first time since the 2002 divisional realignment.

We offer up report cards and instant observations from the win, break down how quarterback Josh Allen, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and kicker Tyler Bass rewrote the franchise record books on Sunday, find out more about Buffalo’s Wild Card showdown with the Colts—the Bills first home playoff game since 1996, hear why the Bills are the team no one wants to face in the playoffs, and much more!


Recapping the Demolition of the Dolphins

Bills destroy Dolphins, will meet Colts in Wild Card - Democrat & Chronicle
The Buffalo Bills left nothing to chance as they routed Miami 56-26 to clinch the second seed in the AFC playoffs and a date with the Indianapolis Colts.

Bills blow past Dolphins in regular season finale - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-26 in Week 17 to finish the regular season 13-3 and clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Analysis: Josh Allen puts his Dolphin-killing talent on display | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The Miami Dolphins have a major Josh Allen problem,” writes Mark Gaughan.

Game story: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills end regular season with rout of Miami Dolphins - newyorkupstate.com
“Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills placed an emphatic stamp on their breakout season...”

Josh Allen makes final MVP case as Buffalo Bills secure AFC’s No. 2 seed - Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Buffalo’s QB might fall short in the race against Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, but he has the Bills entering the playoffs with momentum.

Isaiah McKenzie has game to remember in Bills’ win – The Athletic
Teams need contributions from all over the roster to win in the postseason, and the Bills have that in McKenzie and others. (Subscription required).

Bills’ Isaiah McKenzie predicted punt return TD to Josh Allen in breakout game - newyorkupstate.com
McKenzie caught two touchdown passes from Allen in addition to special teams return.

Buffalo Bills ‘play to kill,’ unapologetic after dropping 56 points on top scoring defense - newyorkupstate.com
Bills reached 500 points in a season for the first time in franchise history.

Bills sweep AFC East for first time in team history - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo has made plenty of history this season.

Josh Allen laments Bills didn’t find 14th receiver to break NFL TD catch record | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Buffalo Bills finished the season tied with an NFL record as 13 different receivers caught a touchdown pass, including quarterback Josh Allen.

Who is Antonio Williams? Bills UDFA RB scores twice in Buffalo’s Week 17 win - newyorkupstate.com
The former UNC running back shined for Buffalo.

Quarter by quarter: Bills put exclamation point on regular season | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Don’t miss Mark Gaughan’s quarter-by-quarter look at the Buffalo Bills’ 56-26 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Bills Stadium.

Final score, recap, highlights: Bills 56, Dolphins 26 - Democrat & Chronicle
Buffalo dominated Miami with its starters and its backups in the regular season finale to lock up the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

‘We play to kill’ | What Dion Dawkins, Josh Allen + others said after clinching the No. 2 seed - BuffaloBills.com
Bills players breakdown Sunday’s dominant win over the Miami Dolphins.

Report Card/Observations

Report card: Josh Allen revolutionized himself to have greatest season in Bills history - Democrat & Chronicle
Sal Maiorana grades the Bills after their 56-26 dismantling of the Dolphins in Week 17.

Report Card: Bills earn straight ‘As’ after embarrassing Dolphins | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The jump Josh Allen has made from his second to third professional season has been nothing short of remarkable,” writes Jay Skurski.

Arrow Up/Arrow Down: Dolphins at Bills - WGR 550
“The Buffalo Bills wrapped up the 2020 regular season with an exclamation point, thoroughly beating the Miami Dolphins in every phase of the game,” writes Sal Capaccio.

Isaiah McKenzie, Bills destroy Dolphins to end their season in 56-26 blowout (Report card) - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo’s offense came out flat, but were in a groove by halftime.

Hot Reads: Bills go full-throttle to bury Dolphins, grab No. 2 playoff seed in season-finale | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Don’t miss Vic Carucci’s hot reads from the Buffalo Bills’ 56-26 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Bills Stadium.

Great ending to one of best regular seasons in Bills history - WGR 550
Another fireworks show from the offense propels the Bills to a 56-26 destruction of the Miami Dolphins and the two seed for the AFC playoffs.

Vic Carucci: Bills ride giant wave of momentum entering playoffs | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Momentum doesn’t get any stronger than the runaway train that is the Buffalo Bills entering the postseason,” writes Vic Carucci.

Bills blow out Dolphins; no playoff dream too big for Bills Mafia: Instant Observations - newyorkupstate.com
Bills capture 13th win for just third time ever to tie franchise record.

Three Observations: The Bills are true Super Bowl contenders - WGR 550
Check out three observations from the Bills 56-26 Week 17 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

10 observations: Isaiah McKenzie sparks scoring explosion in rout of Dolphins | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Isaiah McKenzie had a field day against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Bills maul Miami in finale ahead of Wild Card weekend (14 reasons to be encouraged) - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo put a stamp on their regular season in Week 17.

Records Fall as Bills Squish the Fish

Josh Allen sets Bills’ season record for passing yards, season is ninth in total yards in NFL history | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Allen eclipsed Drew Bledsoe’s total of 4,359, set in 2002.

Allen sets franchise record for passing yards in a season - WGR 550
Josh Allen capped a breakout season on Sunday by passing Drew Bledsoe to become the Buffalo Bills’ all-time single-season passing yards leader.

Bills’ Stefon Diggs sets NFL record for most receiving yards by player after changing teams | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Diggs, acquired in a blockbuster trade in March from the Minnesota Vikings, reached the record on a 16-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter.

Stefon Diggs closes 2020 as the NFL’s leading receiver - BuffaloBills.com
Stefon Diggs becomes the first Bills player to lead the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards.

Jason Wolf: Stefon Diggs leads NFL in catches, receiving yards, and values clean teeth, too | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Diggs’ performance this season is even more impressive than it appears on its face,” writes Jason Wolf.

Bills Today | Numerous records are set in the regular season finale - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Monday, Jan. 4.

Wild Card Matchup Set vs. Colts

Bills to face Colts in AFC Wild Card Round - WGR 550
The No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills will face the No. 7 seed Indianapolis Colts as part of AFC Wild Card Weekend to open up the NFL Playoffs next weekend.

NFL playoff picture: Bills lock up No. 2 seed, will face Indianapolis Colts | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Bills emphatically locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs with a victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Bills-Colts Wild Card weekend date/time set - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills and Colts will kick off Wild Card weekend.

Buffalo Bills to host the Indianapolis Colts in AFC Wild Card playoff matchup - BuffaloBills.com
Bills will host their first home playoff game since 1996.

Buffalo Bills open as 7-point favorite vs. Colts in Wild Card matchup - newyorkupstate.com
Bills (13-3) host the Colts (11-5) in first of three AFC Wildcard round games.

Bills are favored in a playoff game for first time since 1995 | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Bills have opened as a seven-point favorite over the Indianapolis Colts for next weekend’s Wild Card game.

The Bills are the team no one, including the Chiefs wants to see in the playoffs, plus Week 17 insider notes - CBSSports.com
“The Josh Allen-led Bills are hitting their stride at the perfect time,” writes Jonathan Jones.

Busting myths for the 14 NFL playoff teams in 2020: Josh Allen’s new strength, and how dangerous are the Ravens? - ESPN.com
Josh Allen can’t beat defenses from the pocket. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have a great supporting cast. Wrong.

NFL playoffs preview 2020 - Schedule, bracket, Super Bowl chances for every team - ESPN.com
The NFL playoff field is finally set. Here’s your guide to everything you need to know about the 14 teams vying to win Super Bowl LV.

Odds and Ends

NFL awards 2020: Picks for MVP, best rookies, offensive and defensive players of the year, top coaches - ESPN.com
Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes? T.J. Watt or Xavien Howard? Bill Barnwell fills out his 2020 end-of-season ballot.

Why Bills QB Josh Allen wore a Pancho’s Army jacket to Sunday’s game | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Josh Allen arrived at Bills Stadium on Sunday wearing a “Pancho’s Army” jacket in tribute to late Bills superfan Ezra “Pancho Billa” Castro.

Colts fans donate to Oishei Children’s Hospital after Bills win | wgrz.com
“The Bills win over the Dolphins in Week 17 helped the Colts get into the playoffs and fans are showing their appreciation.”

Bills’ Stefon Diggs flosses teeth on sideline against Dolphins - Democrat & Chronicle
Diggs shows off perfect smile against Dolphins.

‘Never a bad place to floss,’ Stefon Diggs’ sideline flossing has Bills fans laughing | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The flossing scene was met with a massive reaction from Bills fans on social media.

Kenny Stills blown away with Bills’ performance against Dolphins - newyorkupstate.com
One word was all Stills needed on Sunday.

Report: Panthers seek to interview Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen for GM opening | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Schoen spent seven years in Carolina’s scouting department, where he broke into the NFL as an intern.

Featured on Buffalo Rumblings

Buffalo Bills 56, Miami Dolphins 26: Rapid recap and notes - Buffalo Rumblings
Another victim vanquished on the path to the playoffs.

Takeaways: Buffalo Bills obliterate Miami Dolphins to secure two seed - Buffalo Rumblings
What a fun week. AGAIN!

Buffalo Bills will play the Indianapolis Colts in the early slot on Wild Card Saturday - Buffalo Rumblings
Frank Reich returns to Buffalo.

Buffalo Bills sweep AFC East for first time ever en route to 13-3 record - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills put their stamp on the AFC East title.

Josh Allen sets Buffalo’s single-season record for passing yards - Buffalo Rumblings
Allen eclipsed Drew Bledsoe’s (2002) season mark for most passing yards in a Bills uniform.

2020 Buffalo Bills set team record for points scored - Buffalo Rumblings
They beat some pretty good teams in Bills history.

Circling the Wagons: Bills squish the fish to win 2nd seed - Buffalo Rumblings
Bills go undefeated in the division for the first time in franchise history. Listen now!

Buffalo Bills rookie Tyler Bass sets franchise scoring record - Buffalo Rumblings
The rookie surpassed Steve Christie as the top single-season scorer in team history and Scott Norwood for most made PATs.