Buffalo Rumblings
This is really it. It’s time to say goodbye to the home of the Buffalo Bills for the last 53 years. While it’s theoretically possible that the Bills will wind up the fifth or sixth seed and somehow host the AFC Championship, I don’t like the odds enough to save my farewell for later. Let’s make no mistake either, if you could dream up a perfect farewell to the ol’ hunk of concrete and blue chairs, it would be hosting the Conference Title on the way to the Bills playing in the Super Bowl. That’s the stuff of legends and fairy tales.
But it’ ain’t happening and I think I’m at peace with that.
For some context, I’ve had this game circled on my calendar for quite some time. Credit to my sister for that. As the owner of two season tickets, she made the decision that she and I would carry on the legacy of our parents who attended the first-ever game (the preseason one) at the stadium. We’ll be closing it out with friends (thank you to my sister who I owe big time).
But also note in my legendary sister’s generosity, I was also penciled in for any playoff games just in case that was the “for real” farewell. I’ve been to a lot of home playoff games lately (thank you again), and the emotional expenditure is enormous.
I’ve imagined the AFC Championship game as the farewell, and win or lose it would easily be one of the most electric moments ever to behold. I think I’m at peace missing that. Have you ever seen a kid so excited for Christmas that they forget to actually take in Christmas? I think that might have been me.
This Week 18 game should be mostly meaningless. The Bills need to get healthy and honestly the seeding is mostly irrelevant at this point. Buffalo could lose to anyone in the dance. Or they could crush anyone in the dance. Anything in between is also on the table. They’ll need lightning in a bottle for several straight weeks no matter where they play.
Even supposing the Bills make it to the five seed, they’ll need to win at least one road game. It’d be possible to host the Divisional Round game, but only if the Bills win and the six seed and the seven seed win. It’s possible, but like I said above, I’m not holding my breath.
With my breath going in and out of my lungs in routine fashion then, this Week 18 game becomes stress free. Those red throwback helmets we finally get to see again can be enjoyed without worry. The beer made from snow collected from the stadium can be imbibed without stress. Each moment, each bite of the January wind, each high-five from friends we’ve come to know over the years. All of that can exist simply for itself.
It’s not a storybook ending, but maybe a peaceful one won’t be so bad.
