Damar Hamlin Apologizes(?) to Bills; Dolphins in Wild Card Next - Live Game Log
The Buffalo Bills welcomed the New England Patriots to Highmark Stadium on Sunday for a matchup in the regular-season finale. ... and in the Damar Hamlin was an inspiration in every way as the Bills took down the Patriots 35-23 - including, interestingly thanks to an apology to the team ...
From Damar Hamlin?!
Tre’Davious White said he received a 2:31 a.m. text from Hamlin. And why?
“What he said was, ‘I’m thinking about y’all, I’m sorry that I did that to y’all,’” White relayed. “For him to check on us when he’s the person that’s going through what he’s going through, man. That just shows what type of person he is … when he’s the one that’s going through it.”
“I just want to hug the (expletive) out of him,” White said.
Said Bills coach Sean McDermott: “Damar should not in no way, shape, or form feel bad or apologize for him putting his teammates through this. I think we would all agree that God’s hand is in this and it has been in it from the first moment and I think, and I should say this, when you watch how at times divided we can be as a country and a world, I think the thing we all recognized this week was when people can put love first and people first and come together, how powerful this country and this world can be for the good.”
How did Sunday unfold against the Patriots, leading to a playoff meeting with the Dolphins next week? Follow along with the chronology ...
Nearly a week after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati after making a tackle during the Monday Night Football matchup between the Bengals and Bills, it's back to business as usual for the NFL. ... kind of.
Bills coach Sean McDermott continues to be a rock for his team and a natural leader, as indicated by quarterback Josh Allen's comments regarding the Hamlin situation:
"I can't say enough about what he did, what he said to us in the locker room," Allen said. "Obviously, just a dire circumstance that nobody's expecting, nobody's ready for. You can never put yourself in that situation until it happens. ... Coach handled it as perfect as anybody could."
The Bills will now look to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC after the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the No. 1 and a first-round bye in Saturday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Live updates will appear below at kickoff.
The Patriots won the toss and elected to defer.
FIRST QUARTER: Bills 7, Patriots 7
TOUCHDOWN BILLS: In an incredible storybook beginning to the game, Hines runs Folk's opening kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown. The extra point is good for a 7-0 Bills lead with 14:46 left in the first quarter.
New England can't move the ball after taking over at its own 26 after the kickoff, and the Palardy punt goes 49 yards to the BUF 32, fair caught by Hines.
Bills first down from their own 32, Allen hits Diggs short left side for five yards, then Allen finds Diggs again for six more and a first down at the BUF 43.
Allen misses Davis short left, then finds Singletary for three more for a 3rd and 7. Allen gets sacked for a loss of 13 and a fourth down.
The Martin punt goes 41 yards to the NE 26.
Stevenson runs off left tackle for three yards, Jones then hits Stevenson for six more for a 3rd and 1, when Jones hits Meyers for 20 and a first down at the BUF 45.
Jones finds Parker deep across the middle for 17 yards. Penalty on BUF-T.White, Defensive Holding, declined.
Jones finds Stevenson short on the right side for five, then Harris runs up the middle for six to extend the drive again.
Jones hits Parker at the BUF 6 for 11 yards and a 1st and Goal. Jones runs up the middle for a gain of four.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS: Jones finds Meyers in the back left of the end zone, and Meyers makes a circus catch keeping both feet in bounds for the touchdown. The extra point is good for a 7-7 tie. The scoring drive goes 74 yards in nine plays and took 4:44 off the clock.
The Folk kick goes 60 yards to the BUF 5, Hines returns it 20 yards to the BUF 25.
NE-J. Peppers was injured during the play. J. Peppers walks off.
Singletary runs off left guard for seven yards on first down, then Allen scrambles left for two yards to the BUF 33 for a 3rd and 2. Allen finds Diggs deep right side for 16 yards and a first down at the BUF 49.
Allen throws incomplete on first down, then completes to Davis for nine more and on 3rd and 1, Singletary runs off left tackle for two and a new set of downs.
On first down Allen misses Davis deep on the right side as the pass is tipped in the secondary, then Diggs caches Allen's pass for 16 yards and a first down from the NE 24.
Cook runs for four yards, then Allen throws incomplete to Shakir. On 3rd and 6 from the 20, Allen finds Davis at the NE 2 for a gain of 18 yards and a 1st and Goal.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: Bills 14, Patriots 14
Singletary runs off left guard for a loss of two yards.
TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen hits Knox in the end zone for four yards and a touchdown. The Bass extra point is good for a 14-7 Bills lead with 14:15 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 13 plays and took 6:30 off the clock.
The Bass kick goes 65 yards for a touchback so the Patriots begin their next drive from the 25.
Harris loses six yards as he's stuffed in the backfield on first down, then Jones hits Parker on the right sideline for nine for a 3rd and 7. Jones passes short incomplete as he's pressured in the backfield and threw the ball away to avoid the loss of yardage.
The Palardy punt goes 44 yards to the BUF 28, returned by Hines for seven yards to the BUF 35. First down Bills.
Allen passes short on the right side to Cook for two yards, then Cook runs for five more to the BUF 41. NE-M. Judon was injured during the play. M. Judon walks off. On 3rd and 2, Allen hits McKenzie for six yards at the BUF 47 for a first down.
On 1st and 10 Allen misses Diggs on the left sideline, then finds Cook for four yards to the NE 49 for a 3rd and 6. Allen gets sacked for a four-yard loss for a punting situation.
The Martin punt goes 39 yards to the NE 14, Jones returns 12 yards to the NE 26.
Jones passes short left to Bourne for four, then Jones hits Stevenson for nine yards and a first down.
Stevenson carries for eight more, then Jones throws deep across the middle for a gain of 20 to the BUF 24 and a first down with 7:16 left in the half.
Stevenson carries for four off right end, then Harris runs up the middle for three more for a 3rd and 3 upcoming. Jones finds Bourne for 10 yards to the BUF 7 for 1st and Goal.
Jones throws to Stevenson to the BUF 2 for five yards. NE-C. McDermott was injured during the play. C. McDermott walks off.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS: Jones hits Parker for two yards and a touchdown. The Folk extra point is good for a 14-14 score with 3:45 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 74 yards in nine plays and took 5:31 off the clock.
The Folk kick goes 55 yards to the BUF 10, returned by Hines to the BUF 28 for 18 yards.
Cook runs for five, then for 18 more to the NE 49 for a new set of downs.
Cook carries the ball again on first down to the NE 39.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Allen throws short right to Diggs, out of bounds. at the NE 33 for a gain of six. Cook runs off left tackle for three more for a 3rd and 1.
Timeout #1 by NE at 01:17
Allen runs up the middle for two, then scrambles for six yards to the NE 22 out of bounds with 52 seconds left.
Allen then scrambles off left guard to the NE 15 for seven more.
Timeout #1 by BUF at 00:38
Allen passes incomplete to Davis, then misses Diggs in the back of the end zone.
INTERCEPTION PATRIOTS: Allen passes short middle intended for Davis, INTERCEPTED by McCourty at the NE 3. He returns the ball 30 yards to the NE 33 with 16 seconds left.
Timeout #2 by NE at 00:16
Jones passes deep middle for Meyers incomplete. Jones kneels to end the half.
END OF THE FIRST HALF
Bills halftime leaders:
Passing: Josh Allen - 12/20, 96 yards, one touchdown, one interception
Rushing: James Cook - five carries, 26 yards
Receiving: Stefon Diggs - five catches, 49 yards
Patriots halftime leaders:
Passing: Mac Jones - 13/16, 119 yards, two touchdowns
Rushing: Rhamondre Stevenson - three carries, 25 yards
Receiving: DaVante Parker - four catches, 39 yards, one touchdown
***
THIRD QUARTER: Bills 28, Patriots 17
The Patriots begin the half with the ball at their own 19 after the kick.
M. Jones passes short right to K. Bourne to NE 30 for 11 yards, then D. Harris runs right guard to NE 31 for a gain of one yard for a 3rd and 4 upcoming. Jones passes short middle to Henry for 13 and a first down.
Harris runs for six then again for three to the BUF 42 for a 3rd and 1. Jones passes incomplete to Meyers, as the ball is deflected in the secondary by Edmunds for a 4th and 1.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION PATRIOTS: On 4th and 1, Jones passes short right to Henry for a gain of five and a new set of downs.
Stevenson runs off left tackle for 16 yards to the BUF 21.
INTERCEPTION BILLS: Jones passes deep down the right side intended for Agholor, intercepted by White at the BUF 2.
Singletary runs for five yards to the BUF 7.
FUMBLE RECOVERY PATRIOTS: Singletary runs off right tackle for two yards and FUMBLES the ball, recovered by McCourty at the BUF 11. First down Patriots.
Harris runs up the middle for two, then Jones throws incomplete left side to Harris for a 3rd and 8 upcoming. Jones scrambles for three up the middle.
FIELD GOAL PATRIOTS: Folk is good from 24 yards for a 17-14 Patriots lead with 7:06 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes five yards in four plays and took 1:28 off the clock.
TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Hines returns the kickoff 101 yards to a touchdown. The Bass extra point is good for a 21-17 Buffalo lead with 6:53 left in the quarter.
The Patriots' offense is back on the field and takes over from their own 39 after a 36-yard return by Marcus Jones.
Jones passes short right to Henry for nine yards, then Stevenson runs for three more for a new set of downs.
Stevenson runs off left guard for a three-yard gain, then Jones passes incomplete on 2nd and 7. Jones throws incomplete again on third down for a punting situation.
The Palardy punt goes 28 yards to the BUF 19, fair caught by Hines.
Allen passes incomplete to Davis on first down, then hits Knox for nine yards. Allen runs left guard on 3rd and 1 for three and a new set of downs.
Allen runs left side and is sacked for a one-yard loss. NE-K .Dugger was injured during the play.
On 2nd and 11, Allen hits Shakir for 28 yards to the NE 42.
Allen misses McKenzie short across the middle.
TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen throws deep to Brown for 42 yards and a touchdown. Bass' extra point is good for a 28-17 Buffalo lead with 1:35 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 81 yards in seven plays and takes 3:02 off the clock.
The Patriots take over from their own 14, and Jones passes short left to Parker for 15 yards, then Harris runs up the middle for 19 to the NE 48.
Harris gets stuffed after a gain of two up the middle.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER: Bills 35, Patriots 23
This is the first NFL game since 2015 with no penalties through three quarters, and the first play of the fourth quarter of course has a penalty.
Jones passes to Harris short on the left side for five yards to the BUF 45. PENALTY on BUF-K.Elam, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at 50.
Jones passes deep right incomplete for Meyers. NE-M.Onwenu was injured during the play. PENALTY on NE-D.Andrews, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at BUF 45.
Jones passes short left to Stevenson for four yards, out of bounds at the NE 49. On 2nd and 16, Stevenson runs up the middle for 10 yards, FUMBLES, recovered by NE-D. Andrews at NE 41. M. Jones pass short right to H. Henry to BUF 36 for 5 yards for a fourth down.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION PATRIOTS: Jones pass short right to Meyers pushed OB at BUF 26 for 10 yards and a first down.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS: Jones throws deep left side into the end zone for Parker for a touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good for a 28-23 score with 11:37 left in the game.
The Bills take over from their own 40 after the kick goes out of bounds.
Allen passes short left to Davis for 11 yards to the NE 49, then Cook runs left guard for two more.
Allen passes short right to Knox for seven. PENALTY on BUF-J.Cook, Chop Block, 15 yards, enforced at NE 47.
On 2nd and 23, Allen finds McKenzie for 13 to the NE 49 and a 3rd and 10 upcoming.
TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen throws deep down the left side to Diggs for 49 yards and a touchdown. The extra point is good for a 35-23 Buffalo lead with 8:51 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 60 yards in four plays and took 2:46 off the clock.
Bass kicks 65 yards to the end zone for a touchback, and the Patriots take possession from their own 25.
Jones throws incomplete to Meyers, then misses Meyers again on second down. The Jones throws deep down the middle to Parker with good coverage from White for a 4th and 10 upcoming.
Palardy's punt goes 40 yards to the BUF 35 where Jones MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by NE-J. Bentley at BUF 35. Penalty on BUF, Illegal Block Above the Waist, declined.
First down Patriots from the BUF 35, and Harris is stuffed in the backfield for a loss of four yards, then Jones hits Thronton for 13 to the BUF 26 for a 3rd and 1. Harris runs up the middle for 13 and a new set of downs.
Jones passes short left to Meyers for six. PENALTY on NE-H.Henry, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at BUF 13.
Jones passes incomplete for Bourne, then Harris runs off left guard for one.
INTERCEPTION BILLS: On 3rd and 19, jones passes deep middle for Henry, INTERCEPTED by Milano in the end zone, and returned to 41 yards to the BUF 39 with 4:52 left in the game.
Allen passes short to Diggs for six yards, then Cook runs for six more and a new set of downs.
Singletary runs for a loss of two yards.
Timeout #1 by NE at 03:56
Allen passes deep incomplete for Diggs on 2nd and 12.
Timeout #1 by BUF at 03:47
Allen passes deep into the end zone incomplete to Davis who dropped the touchdown pass.
The Martin punt goes 45 yards to the NE six, where Marcus Jones returns it 13 yards to the NE 19.
Jones hits Henry who is pushed OB at the NE 24 for five yards. On 2nd and 5, Jones hits Harris for four more in the middle of the field.
The Dolphins just defeated the Jets 9-6 which means Miami will travel to Buffalo in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
INTERCEPTION BILLS: On 3rd and 1, Jones passes short middle to Harris and the ball is tipped in the air, INTERCEPTED by Edmunds at the NE 31 with 2:42.
Cook runs left guard for four yards.
Timeout #2 by NE at 02:35
Cook runs off left guard for seven more and a first down.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Allen knees for a loss of one as the clock continues to run as Bill Belichick will not use his timeouts to stop the clock.
END OF GAME
***
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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