ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — No matter occurs Sunday, when the Payments shut the common season internet hosting New England and past as soon as the NFL playoffs start, Buffalo normal supervisor Brandon Beane gained’t really feel disillusioned.

Throughout a 12 months through which the Payments have endured a snowstorms that disrupted their schedule, mourned the sudden dying of tight finish Dawson Knox’s youthful brother in August, rallied to the neighborhood’s assist within the aftermath of a mass capturing, and gained video games with little or no observe, Beane couldn’t be extra proud.

And he has purpose to imagine the resilience will present as soon as once more following per week through which the Payments went from being emotionally shocked by witnessing Damar Hamlin getting resuscitated on the sector in Cincinnati on Monday evening, to being joyously uplifted after the security addressed his teammates by videoconference on Friday.

“I like you boys,” Hamlin mentioned in a mushy voice.

“I most likely get emotional if I discuss an excessive amount of about it, however I’m so pleased with our group, our staff, simply so many individuals, the way in which we’ve handled a lot this 12 months,” Beane mentioned. “Undoubtedly not the way in which you draw it up. I don’t know what’s gonna occur the remainder of season on the sector, I actually don’t. This can be a group of winners, and I’ll eternally bear in mind this staff, this season.”

For Beane, the sport Sunday is excess of a showdown towards an AFC East rival to shut the season. As an alternative, it represents a celebration of life in figuring out Hamlin is on the highway to restoration.

The bond the Payments have in-built coping with adversity has introduced them even nearer in how gamers and coaches leaned on one another within the aftermath of Hamlin’s collapse.

“This simply put the cherry on high in a optimistic method,” left sort out Dion Dawkins mentioned. “It has positively simply made (the bond) a everlasting glue.”

As for whether or not the Payments imagine they’re bodily and emotionally able to play, quarterback Josh Allen didn’t blink by responding: “I do.”

Allen then cited the inspiring message Hamlin’s father, Mario, delivered to the staff on Wednesday in saying his son would need them to play.

“He demanded us,” Allen mentioned. “And you may’t not honor his request to go on the market and cost ahead.”

The Payments (12-3) are motivated regardless of having much less driving on the result of the sport than the Patriots (8-8). Buffalo has clinched its third consecutive AFC East title, however has misplaced the within monitor to win the AFC’s high seed. The NFL’s resolution to cancel Buffalo’s recreation towards Cincinnati pushed Kansas Metropolis (13-3) forward of the Payments within the standings.

The one comfort is the league ruling the AFC championship recreation can be performed at a impartial web site ought to the Chiefs win the highest seed and face Buffalo, ought to each groups win or lose on Sunday.

In New England, the Patriots want solely to win to clinch their thirteenth playoff berth in 14 seasons. New England may also clinch a spot ought to the Dolphins and Steelers lose, and Jacksonville beats Tennessee.

The Patriots discover themselves within the wild-card race by advantage of a 23-21 win over Miami — and regardless of dropping 4 of their final six.

Not misplaced on coach Invoice Belichick is the emotional weight that can function a backdrop on Sunday, with regards to Hamlin.

“Everyone individually must course of it like we’ve been doing. Count on or not it’s an emotional scene and ultimately we’re going there to play our greatest soccer recreation,” Belichick mentioned. “I feel everyone understands there’s a stability and there’s a number of issues happening there.”

SHOW OF SUPPORT

Payments coach Sean McDermott mentioned Belichick was among the many many NFL coaches who reached out to him to supply assist after Hamlin was harm.

“I definitely recognize his ideas and prayers,” McDemott mentioned.

As for recreation preparation, the Payments basically held one full observe on Thursday, with Wednesday and Friday’s periods serving largely as walkthroughs.

“It sort of makes you, respectfully, chuckle a bit of about about what we’ve handled,” McDermott mentioned. “Hey, why not make it a brief week on high of that.”

LAST DANCE?

Sunday’s recreation may very well be the ultimate time two of New England’s longest tenured gamers swimsuit up for the Patriots.

At age 37, particular groups captain Matt Slater, on a one-year, $2.6 million contract, is wrapping up his fifteenth season in New England. Security Devin McCourty, a 2010 first-round pick of Rutgers, turned 35 in August after signing a one-year, $9 million deal.

Slater has appeared in 222 video games, which is second solely to Tom Brady for probably the most video games performed by a Patriots participant. McCourty has began all 204 video games he’s appeared in, lacking simply 5 regular-season video games.

“You by no means understand how soccer goes. However I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I didn’t give it some thought earlier than the sport, McCourty mentioned.

“Simply sort of take into consideration that, let that settle in, simply attempting to ensure I keep within the second, take pleasure in. However positively gave it just a few seconds,” he mentioned.

NO BAILEY

New England will play its last regular-season recreation with out punter Jake Bailey

Bailey, a 2020 All-Professional, has been on injured reserve for the final seven video games coping with again subject. He was designated to observe on Dec. 21, however Belichick mentioned on Friday that he’ll revert to IR and is finished for the season.

Alternative Michael Palardy is averaging simply 42.6 yards per punt, rating on the backside of the NFL.

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AP Sports activities Author Kyle Hightower contributed.

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