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Opinion

A wave of emotion will carry the Buffalo Bills to Super Bowl glory

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10th January, 2023
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Most people, including many who are not too familiar with the game, understand the dangers of American football and the likely long-lasting health implications of playing the sport.

Gruesome injuries and serious concussion issues such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are the risks that every single NFL player acknowledges before stepping onto the field.

But Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsing to the ground in cardiac arrest still put things into perspective when it comes to putting lives on the line just to play a game.

It’s not yet clear what caused Hamlin’s collapse. He may have had an underlying health condition, but he passed out after receiving a hit in a tackle, which is scary for anyone associated with the league.

Usually there is a lot of criticism aimed at the head of the NFL for not taking injuries and concussions seriously enough, such as when Tua Tagovailoa was allowed to continue playing while being concussed earlier this season.

Despite reports that the league was considering resuming play after five or ten minutes, the right decision was made to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all involved and call off the match.

(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

This dreadful experience is only going to unite the Bills like never before.

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Prior to kick-off, the highly anticipated encounter between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Peycor Stadium was talked up as the game of the year with so many implications for the playoff picture.

After the tragic event occurred, football became secondary in a split second. Damar Hamlin’s condition and health were the first thought on everyone’s mind, and rightfully so.

Now that the 24-year-old is in stable condition and was released from the hospital to travel to Buffalo yesterday, the attention can slowly shift towards the playoffs and how the Bills will feed off this emotion to win the Super Bowl.

The players rallying around Hamlin to protect his privacy on the field was touching in itself.

Players were in tears, inconsolable knowing that there might be a possibility of losing one of their own.

Images of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs crying resonated throughout the world. Bengals supporters inside their own stadium were wiping away their own tears.

Outside the hospital, fans of both teams gathered together to pray for Hamlin. It was an example of how powerful sport can be in bringing people together no matter what religion or race.

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The unfortunate circumstances could lead to two scenarios. One is that the Bills let the emotion get the better of them and lose focus. The other is that they use it as motivation to perform for their teammate.

Judging by the Bills’ 35-23 victory against the New England Patriots, the answer is the latter.

The opening drive and punt return from Nyheim Hines resulting in a 96-yard touchdown was a statement that the squad meant business and was fired up from the get-go.

Such tumultuous times will only galvanise this playing group to achieve new heights and perform to the best of their ability for Damar Hamlin.

If it were the beginning of the campaign, I would be hesitant to put up a Super Bowl argument despite Buffalo always being one of the favourites to lift the Lombardi Trophy.

However, with the regular season coming to an end and playoff football commencing this week, there is no better time for the bills to string together a few inspiring performances.

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With a record of 13-3 and a star quarterback in Josh Allen, who is rivalling Patrick Mahomes for the MVP title, the Bills have the ingredients both on offence and defence to make a real surge.

They are second in the NFL for points scored, averaging 28.4 playing one game fewer than the rest, and they’re second in the league for points conceded, averaging an impressive 17.9.

Remarkably, this franchise was irrelevant only a few years ago when they were a complete and utter embarrassment.

Fast-forward to today, it will be difficult to find any neutral supporter who will not be rooting for the Bills to go all the way.

That wave of momentum through so much support while battling through such unexpected adversity could be enough to bring together the small details that could push a team over the line.

The Chiefs and the Eagles are deservedly favourites for the crown in Arizona next month, but watch out for those Bills.

Expect the AFC east champions to find extra fight and determination, just as a resilient Damar Hamlin did.

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Underestimate them at your peril.

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