The Buffalo Bills have bounced back in the best possible way, as they scored a touchdown just 14 seconds into their first game since Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest.
The scenes at Highmark Stadium were extremely emotional before the opening kick, the medical staff for the Bills were rightly given a huge ovation when entering the field on Sunday. They saved Damar Hamlin's life on Monday night, and he's since been responding well in hospital.
And the Bills gave Hamlin the ultimate gift within seconds of play beginning, as Nyheim Hines opened up the game with a 96-yard kick-off return touchdown. Hamlin responded in style on Twitter, as he tweeted: "OMFG!"
It was an emotional return to NFL action for everyone involved with the Bills organisation, after the harrowing events that occurred on Monday night. Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the first quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and was revived on the field before heading to hospital.
Hamlin has since been responding well in hospital, and posted a picture ahead of Sunday's Week 18 clash showing that he will be cheering on the Bills. And the team that saved his life were given an incredible reception at Highmark Stadium.
The script was written for a spirited Bills performance against the New England Patriots, and despite their post-season intentions, the only motivation they needed was to do it for Hamlin. But no one expected them to do it inside 14 seconds.
But Hines had other ideas, as he returned the Patriots opening kick right back to their endzone, leading to a ferocious roar in Buffalo. Hamlin was watching on from hospital, and was in shock at the start his team made.
The Bills need to beat the Patriots in order to force a neutral venue should they meet the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. They were on course to clinch the no.1 seed, but after their penultimate game was cancelled against the Bengals, it landed into the lap of the Chiefs.
Obviously, this was no ones fault, and the NFL have therefore agreed to arrange a neutral site should both sides meet later in the post-season. The Patriots need to win to make the post-season themselves, but the Bills have adrenaline running through their veins, and it's a tall order for head coach Bill Belichick.
