Hamlin is making progress
For the highly traded Bills, on the other hand, the season is over again after the divisional round. The biggest cheer from the otherwise disappointed Bills fans came just before half-time when Damar Hamlin’s presence was announced over the stadium loudspeakers. It was the 24-year-old defenseman’s first visit to the stadium since his cardiac arrest three weeks ago, which canceled the Bills’ main round game against the Bengals. Hamlin, seated in a box, stood up and made a heart with his hands and used his arms to encourage the audience to cheer louder.
Hamlin’s rapid progress after the shock had given his team-mates extra impetus and motivation in recent weeks, but the hosts found no resources against the Bengals. The guests, led by Burrow, took the lead with the first ball possession, and after the first quarter the Bengals were 14-0. Bills quarterback Josh Allen made it possible with a touchdown pass to make it 7:14, but the team from the working-class city in New York State was less than seven points behind the Bengals.