CINCINNATI - The Buffalo Bills are so grateful to the Bengals that they're sending wings to the team for ending their NFL-longest playoff drought since 1999.
Thank you, @Bengals. pic.twitter.com/HrJjuV5zWO
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 1, 2018
The NFL's playoff seeds and first-round matchups were set in dramatic fashion Sunday, but none was more exciting than Cincinnati's last-minute win over Baltimore that lifted the Bills into the playoffs over the stunned Ravens.
The Bills watched the dramatic finish of the Bengals game on locker room TVs, and then erupted.
"Everybody went crazy," said DT Kyle Williams. "I've been a wreck for 10 to 15 minutes."
GINGA TO BOYD! 6 Points!
We coming for you Marrone!!
😤😤😤😤
Drought. Broke. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/6B2AErra8L— Buffalo Fanatics (@BuffFanatics) January 1, 2018
Even golf legend Jack Nicklaus was happy. Nicklaus wore Bills gear watching from the stands as his grandson, tight end Nick O'Leary, caught a 26-yard touchdown pass.
The Titans earned the other AFC wild-card spot by beating the Jaguars.
Here's the first-round schedule (seeds in parentheses):
Saturday, Jan. 6
Tennessee Titans (5) at Kansas City Chiefs (4), 4:35 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
Atlanta Falcons (6) at Los Angeles Rams (3), 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 7
Buffalo Bills (6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3), 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Carolina Panthers (5) at New Orleans Saints (4), 4:40 p.m. ET (FOX)
Byes go to New England (1) and PIttsburgh (2) in the AFC and Philadelphia (1) and Minnesota (2) in the NFC.
New Orleans won the NFC South despite losing at Tampa Bay in the final minute. It was the only division race unsettled going into Sunday.
Baltimore (9-7) and the Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) were eliminated in the AFC. Seattle (9-7) missed out in the NFC.
Bills coach Sean McDermott gave a shout-out to the Bengals on Twitter. The Bills had the longest postseason drought of any pro team in North America.
McDermott: “I’m so excited for our players and fans. Everyone has sacrificed so much to be here. Thank you to the @Bengals.” pic.twitter.com/BYSYMjrLcv
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 1, 2018
Bills great Thurman Thomas spoke for all long-suffering Buffalo fans.
"Well, I started crying, if that's a good reaction..." the former running back said in a text to The Associated Press.
The Bills' joy was tempered by the loss of 1,000-yard rusher LeSean McCoy with a right ankle injury. He was carted off the field in the third quarter and was in a walking boot after the game.
