When Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped on the field at Paycor Stadium, it was the heartbeat of Buffalo and the entire NFL community that kept him alive.
Now, Hamlin’s feeble heartbeat from the intensive care unit of a Cincinnati hospital has become the engine and banner of a team and an entire city hungry for triumph and hopeful that the player will recover.
With their minds focused almost entirely on their teammate, the Bills (12-3) prepare to face a dangerous Patriots (8-8) who, only figuratively, are also fighting for their lives. Despite losing four of their last six games, New England controls their destiny and would advance to the playoffs for the second straight year with a win.
Of course, this is easier said than done. Buffalo has won four of its most recent five fights against its divisional opponent, including a 24-10 win in Week 13. It’s also the second-best defense, best in the red zone, and sixth-best in takeaways.
The NFL announced Thursday night that it will not resume the Bills-Bengals game that was canceled Monday night after Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. A Kansas City win on Saturday would eliminate any chance for Buffalo to host the entire postseason at home.
Whether or not the Bills hold the top seed in the AFC, they have better stats than the Pats.
But the effects that the traumatic situation will leave on the team remain to be seen.
Having seen tragedy in the eye, Buffalo showed unity and strength, main ingredients in the recipe for success in the NFL. Also, the news of Hamlin’s marked improvement could serve as a motivator.
All of this adds up to making Buffalo a formidable challenge for the Patriots who have been through a myriad of troubles on offense. The offense led by quarterback Mac Jones is 17th in points, 21st in passing yards and last in ERA in passing 20 yards.
New England, however, keeps its aspirations intact thanks to a defense that ranks second best in the NFL in takeaways and sixth best against runs.
The gap between the two teams is, at first blush, too big, but it could shrink dramatically if the Bills aren’t focused enough on the game. Under the circumstances, it’s an equally daunting challenge.
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LIONS (8-8) and GREEN BAY (8-8)
The Lions started the season with a 1-6 record and ended it with a do-or-die duel against some Packers who, likewise, found ways to pick up a season that seemed lost.
The last match of the regular season calendar is also the one that promises the most excitement. The playoffs begin Sunday night at Lambeau Field. Or maybe not. While Detroit has at least 8 wins for the first time since 2017, a Seattle win over the Rams hours earlier could automatically eliminate the Lions and their prodigious offense.
The story is different for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who control their own postseason fate. A win and they’re in, a loss puts them out, just as it looked in Week 12 when they’re down to 4-8. Four straight wins since then have brought Green Bay to history.
Only the Chargers in 2008 and Carolina in 2014 advanced to the postseason after having four wins or fewer in their first 12 games, and Rodgers is able to become the first quarterback with three playoff seasons after falling below .500 after 10 weeks of season. .
But first they have to face a Lions who already beat them 15-9 in week nine, in a game in which Rodgers threw three interceptions against the worst defense in the NFL.
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THE REST OF THE DAY
The last week of the regular season begins on Saturday with the visit of the Chiefs (13-3) to Las Vegas (6-10) in a game in which Kansas City seeks first place in the AFC with a win. Next, the Titans (7-9) visit Jacksonville (8-8) in a game where the winner will reclaim the AFC South crown and sign their berth for the postseason.
The action will conclude Sunday with the following games: Buccaneers (8-8) in Atlanta (6-10); Vikings (12-4) in Chicago (3-13); Ravens (10-6) in Cincinnati (11-4); Texans (2-13-1) at Indianapolis (4-11-1); Jets (7-9) in Miami (8-8); Panthers (6-10) in New Orleans (7-9); Browns (7-9) in Pittsburgh (8-8); Chargers (10-6) in Denver (4-12); Giants (9-6-1) in Philadelphia (13-3); Cardinals (4-12) in San Francisco (12-4); Rams (5-11) in Seattle (8-8); and Cowboys (12-4) in Washington (7-8-1).
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TOWARDS THE PLAYOFFS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Philadelphia already has a postseason berth and takes the East Division title and first place in the NFC with a win.
San Francisco is already the Western Division champion and is aiming for first place in the NFC with a win adding to a loss for the Eagles.
Dallas is already in the playoffs, but captures the East Division title with a combined win-loss for Philadelphia. If he wins and Philadelphia and San Francisco lose, he will lead the NFC.
Minnesota is already the North Division champion.
Tampa Bay is already the South Division champion.
The Giants have already clinched a playoff berth as a wild card team.
Green Bay clinches a playoff berth with a win over Detroit.
Seattle would go to the postseason with a win combined with a loss of Green Bay.
Detroit could advance to the playoffs with a win coupled with a loss in Seattle.
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Kansas City is already the Western Division champion and with one more win would be the top seed in the conference in the postseason.
Buffalo is already an Eastern Division champion and could contend for first place in the AFC with a win coupled with a Chiefs loss.
Cincinnati is already the Northern champion, though should it lose to Baltimore on Sunday, the site of a possible crossover between the two in the wild card round would be determined by a draw.
The Chargers have already clinched a playoff berth as a wild card team.
Baltimore already has its place in the playoffs.
Jacksonville would advance as South Division champions with a win against the Titans. Otherwise, losses by the Dolphins, Patriots and Steelers are required to qualify as a wildcard.
Tennessee would advance as South Division champions with a win over Jacksonville.
New England would qualify for the playoffs with a win over Buffalo.
Miami would earn a postseason berth with a Patriots win and loss.
Pittsburgh can make the playoffs with a win against Cleveland combined with losses in Miami and New England.
