The Bills reached the postseason for the first time since 1999 after beating the Dolphins on Sunday, but they were kept on pins and needles until the Bengals took down the Ravens before celebrating.
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With the temperature at 2 degrees, fans ditched their New Year’s Eve plans to welcome the postseason-bound Bills at Buffalo Niagara International Airport early Monday morning.
Buffalo ended the longest active playoff drought in U.S. pro sports Sunday after winning at Miami.
“Buffalo wouldn’t be Buffalo if it wasn’t for people coming out here in weather like this,” said Kyle Bower, a Bills fan who happened to be visiting from West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Bills landed shortly before 1 a.m. and were met by a few hundred fans, who had been chanting “Let’s go, Buffalo!” and singing the team’s touchdown celebration song, “Shout!”
Welcomed home by the best fans in the world.
WOW. #GoBills pic.twitter.com/wSdKx9g2JW
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 1, 2018
As the team disembarked, fans chanted “We want Kyle!” for defensive lineman Kyle Williams, a 12th-year pro and the longest-tenured player on the roster. Williams was in tears as he passed the fans.
Supporters formed two rows and watched as players drove their cars in a procession down the middle to exit. One fan held a sign that said “Party Like It’s 1999,” a reference to the team’s last playoff appearance. Buffalo hasn’t won a playoff game since 1995.
About 40 cars had gathered in the parking lot by midnight, and many of them honked to ring in the new year in a festive, frosty scene.
“We were just excited. A perfect night to come out and support the team,” said Kristin Cahill, who was with her son, Joseph Kemp. “This hasn’t happened in his lifetime. He’s 16.”
Her son suggested greeting the Bills after the team tweeted its travel plans for the trip back from Miami.
“He brought it up, and I said, `Let’s go.” Cahill said. “We didn’t have any plans.”
With another year in the books, theScore takes a look back and ranks the most thrilling contests from the last 12 months:
10. Benevento 2-2 AC Milan: Dec. 3
It wasn’t a classic spectacle, but the result will go down in Serie A lore as Italian minnow Benevento captured its first-ever point in the top flight at the expense of one of the country’s most storied teams, AC Milan. After setting the record for the worst start to a season in Europe’s top five leagues by losing its opening 14 contests, Benevento finally gave its fans something to smile about when goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli’s dramatic 95th-minute equaliser secured the historic point.
9. Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United: Dec. 2
Antonio Valencia’s opener in the 11th minute quickly sucked the excitement out of the Emirates Stadium when Manchester United visited Arsenal in early December. However, supporters in attendance couldn’t have asked for much more over the the next 79 minutes as Arsenal desperately attempted to mount a comeback only to be denied by a superb display from David De Gea, who tied the record for saves made (14) by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League match.
8. Roma 3-2 Lazio: April 4
Roma was left heartbroken after a scintillating contest with local rival Lazio in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, which saw the two sides play out one of the more memorable cup matches of the season. Lazio’s 2-0 aggregate lead looked safe until Roma poured on the pressure, with Mohammed Salah leading the charge for the Giallorossi. Yet, his stoppage time winner wasn’t enough as earlier goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ciro Immobile maintained the Aquile’s aggregate advantage.
7. Arsenal 3-3 Liverpool: Dec. 22
Five minutes is all Arsenal needed to erase a two-goal deficit before taking the lead on a stunned Liverpool. A minute after Salah put the Reds up 2-0 to begin the second frame, goals from Alexis Sanchez, Granit Xhaka, and Mesut Ozil saw the host grab a 3-2 lead. However, Roberto Firmino prevented the home side from capturing three points when his powerful effort found its way into the back of the net.
6. RB Leipzig 4-5 Bayern Munich: May 13
With hopes of completing a dream debut season in Germany’s top flight with a Bundesliga trophy already gone, RB Leipzig looked as though it was well on its way to securing a historic win over Bayern Munich. But the recently promoted club coughed up a pair of two-goal leads before Arjen Robben completed the spectacular comeback with a 95th-minute winner.
5. Manchester City 5-3 AS Monaco: Feb. 21
The Kylian Mbappe coming-out party was in full swing when AS Monaco paid a visit to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16. But, after the French teenager put Monaco up 2-1, City stormed back with four goals in the second half. Monaco produced a similarly heroic performance in the return match and progressed on away goals after bringing the aggregate score level at 6-6 after 180 minutes.
4. Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona: April 23
The final Clasico of the 2016-17 season didn’t disappoint. With Real Madrid enjoying an advantage atop the table with just a handful of matches remaining, the capital city appeared as though it would avoid a loss when James Rodriguez cancelled out Ivan Rakitic’s go-ahead goal. Lionel Messi had other plans, as the Argentine scored a dramatic winner in stoppage time before celebrating with his top held up for the adoring Barcelona fans perched up high at the Santiago Bernabeu.
3. Panama 2-1 Costa Rica
Panama’s victory to clinch a spot in the 2018 World Cup may be best remembered for the phantom goal that brought the country level with Costa Rica. But it’s Roman Torres’ goal with three minutes left that ultimately sent supporters into a frenzy as the nation’s victory, combined with the United States’ loss to Trinidad and Tobago, secured Panama’s place in the sport’s marquee event for the first time ever.
2. Borussia Dortmund 4-4 Schalke: Nov. 25
Derbies don’t get much better than the eight-goal thriller in the season’s first Revierderby. Borussia Dortmund was cruising after 25 minutes up 4-0, as the club attempted to end a five-match winless run. Hopes of grabbing three points began to dwindle after the hour mark. Guido Burgstaller’s goal was followed by another two before Naldo capped off the fireworks with an equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time.
1. Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain: March 8
Paris Saint-Germain looked destined to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League after thumping Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg – a deficit no team had overturned in the competition. Even as the Blaugrana cut the aggregate score to 5-3, there were few who thought Luis Enrique’s men were capable of overturning the tie. That’s until Neymar’s brace brought the Camp Nou to life before Sergi Roberto completed the unbelievable comeback with a lunging volley to give Barcelona the unlikeliest of victories.
Playoff spots won’t be the only things on the line when the 2017 NFL regular season concludes Sunday.
A host of players across the league are in line to pocket significant bonuses if they can reach certain performance incentives based on their Week 17 play. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, citing sources, looks at some of the most significant:
• Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake collects a $1 million incentive for 55 percent playing time this season. Entering Sunday, he’s at close to 60 percent and is expected to clinch it against the Buffalo Bills.
• Titans tight end Delanie Walker earns a $500,000 incentive this season for going to the Pro Bowl and for Tennessee making the playoffs. Walker already has been voted to the Pro Bowl, so if Tennessee wins Sunday to get into the playoffs, Walker earns another half-million dollars.
Who will lock up the remaining postseason berths? Will Eli Manning be playing in his last game with the Giants? Yes, Week 17 should be interesting.
Will Matt Ryan and the Falcons score a big win against the Panthers to guarantee themselves a playoff spot?
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• Philadelphia Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount, who has 729 rushing yards this season, has a $300,000 incentive for 750 rushing yards. Blount needs 21 rushing yards against the Dallas Cowboys to hit that mark.
• Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers, who has 4.5 sacks, earns a $125,000 bonus for 5.5 sacks this season. Brockers needs one sack versus the San Francisco 49ers for the payout.
• Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, who has 790 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns this season, has a $600,000 bonus for 800 rushing yards and another $250,000 bonus for nine rushing TDs. Lynch, therefore, needs 10 rushing yards against the Los Angeles Chargers and two rushing scores to collect both monetary awards.
• Raiders wideout Seth Roberts, who has 38 catches this season, has a $150,000 bonus for 45 catches this season and needs seven receptions to claim it.
• Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who has 9.5 sacks this season, needs an additional half-sack against the Carolina Panthers to collect a $1.25 million bonus for 10 sacks this season. Clayborn’s sack total this season already has earned him a $750,000 bonus.
• Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has 85 catches this season, has a $250,000 incentive for 90 catches. Thielen needs five catches against the Chicago Bears to collect the additional bonus; he already has collected $750,000 for reaching 80 catches this season.
• New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan, who has 12 sacks, has an escalator in his contract for 2018 that will pay him an additional $250,000 in base salary if he reaches 13 sacks this season.
• Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright, who has 54 catches, needs six more to achieve a $375,000 bonus for 60 catches this season.
• Jets receiver Jermaine Kearse, who has 60 catches for 751 yards, has a $300,000 incentive for 65 catches — as well as a $250,000 incentive that he already has achieved for 750 receiving yards.
The calendar year is nearing its end, and with it, we bid farewell to 12 months of football rife with brilliant individual performances and stellar team efforts, and damaging demonstrations and disastrous displays.
With that in mind, theScore is looking back at 25 moments that defined world football in 2017:
Giroud kicks off the year with Puskas-winning scorpion kick
It was equal parts audacious, astounding, and awesome, and earned Olivier Giroud the Puskas Award by year’s end. But for the Arsenal man, a goal could not have been struck more sweetly to kick off the new year than this.
Wayne Rooney surpasses Sir Bobby Charlton with 250 goals
At the top of the year, Wayne Rooney was approaching a club record at Manchester United, having tied Sir Bobby Charlton at 249 goals. By the end of January, Rooney scored his 250th, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer.
Schweinsteiger asked if Chicago will make World Cup
When Bastian Schweinsteiger joined the Chicago Fire, one reporter asked if his presence might help the club qualify for the World Cup. Huh? The odd (and ill-informed) question left Bastian laughing … along with the rest of us.
Canada, USA, Mexico announce joint bid for 2026 World Cup
In a historic moment for CONCACAF, the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican soccer federations announced a bold plan to joint-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the U.S. hosting the majority of the competition’s headlining fixtures.
Borussia Dortmund team hit by explosive devices
Marc Bartra was hurt by shards of glass as three explosions went off by the Borussia Dortmund team bus ahead of a Champions League tilt with AS Monaco. This terror incident made international headlines in April.
John Terry announces Chelsea departure
After 22 years of service at Chelsea, captain John Terry called it time on his stay at Stamford Bridge in 2017. He made 713 appearances, but didn’t leave to retire, instead joining Championship outfit Aston Villa.
Messi lifts shirt to Real Madrid crowd after scoring 500th goal
(Photo courtesy: @iam_Kashmoneyy)
One of the most memorable photos of 2017 came when Lionel Messi scored his 500th goal with a dramatic late winner against Real Madrid in El Clasico. He lifted his shirt up high, his name now truly cemented in football lore.
AS Monaco pips PSG to win Ligue 1
A new crop of superstars were born in Monaco as Leonardo Jardim’s side pipped Paris Saint-Germain to claim its first Ligue 1 title since 1999-2000. The team was led by 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who scored the title-winning goal.
Messi loses Supreme Court appeal for tax fraud
Messi may be an alien on the field, but Spanish tax authorities didn’t treat him any differently than any other suspect as the Barcelona superstar was found guilty of evading taxes to the tune of $6.1 million.
Francesco Totti plays final match for AS Roma
Twenty-four years a loyal servant of AS Roma, Francesco Totti finally called it a day in 2017, hanging up his boots and leaving behind a legacy unmatched in Italy’s capital. Totti retired at 40 and the city actually wept.
Real Madrid successfully defends Champions League crown
Real Madrid became the first team to win back-to-back Champions League titles this year, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a brace as his side defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final.
Bradley Lowery passes away
After a lengthy battle with a rare form of cancer, Sunderland supporter Bradley Lowery passed away on July 7. His best friend, England striker Jermain Defoe, wrote that Lowery’s “courage and bravery will inspire me for the rest of my life.”
Rooney admits wearing Everton PJs for 13 years
Rooney has a secret, one he’s kept for the last 13 years: “I’ve actually been wearing Everton pajamas at home with my kids,” admitted the Manchester United icon, who returned to his childhood club Everton in 2017.
PSG signs Neymar for world-record fee
PSG shocked the world and changed the transfer market as we know it by spending €222 million to acquire Neymar from Barcelona. The Brazil superstar became the most expensive player in the world due to this unthinkable deal.
Juan Mata kicks off Common Goal initiative
Perhaps in response to the astronomical fees being paid this summer, United midfielder Juan Mata launched an initiative called Common Goal, pledging one percent of his salary to charity and urging other footballers to do the same.
Diego Costa finally gets his Atletico return
It was the transfer saga that just wouldn’t end, until it finally did on Sept. 26 as Chelsea and Atletico Madrid confirmed an agreement to transfer wantaway striker Diego Costa back to the Spanish capital in January.
Sergio Aguero breaks a rib in car accident
(Photo courtesy: KaWijko Media/Handout via REUTERS)
Manchester City fans received some shock news on Sept. 29 as star striker Sergio Aguero was involved in a serious car accident and suffered a broken rib. Aguero was out for around two months before returning to full fitness.
Iceland qualifies for 2018 FIFA World Cup
Iceland became the smallest nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after topping Group I of UEFA’s qualification stage. The nation of roughly 300,000 had already won the hearts of neutrals at Euro 2016 with its Viking Clap.
USA fails to qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup
Uh-oh. Not good. The U.S. men’s national team suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago and thus failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was a failure that sent shockwaves through the U.S. as calls for change finally arose.
Hope Solo accuses Sepp Blatter of sexual harassment
Former U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo alleged that ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter had sexually assaulted her during a FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony, telling Tribuna Expresso: “I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass.”
Buffon retires after Italy fails to qualify for World Cup
Italy crumbled to a shock World Cup qualifying failure with a 1-0 aggregate loss to Sweden in UEFA’s play-off round, thus ending the international career of Gianluigi Buffon, the country’s most iconic goalkeeper. Holding back tears, Buffon said: “I’m sorry. Not for me but for Italy. We blew something that could have meant so much. The only regret is that it ended like this.”
Chapecoense qualifies for 2018 Copa Libertadores
One year after a devastating plane crash killed most of the team’s players and staff, Chapecoense qualified for the 2018 Copa Libertadores. This incredible story of community, perseverance, and rebirth was truly inspiring.
Ronaldo declares himself the best in history
“You will go and say that I have a big head, but when you’re at the top, it’s normal that you’re criticised … I am the best player in history, in both good and bad times.” – Cristiano Ronaldo, after winning his fifth Ballon d’Or.
“There is no one more complete than me.”
Toronto FC wins MLS Cup, completing historic treble
From the “worst team in the world” to Major League Soccer’s greatest ever, Toronto FC finally won its first MLS Cup in 2017, as well as the Supporters’ Shield, the Canadian Championship, and the league’s points record.
Manchester City sets new EPL record winning streak
Manchester City dominated headlines in December as Pep Guardiola’s men racked up win after win after win … until the club actually set the English record for most consecutive wins with a 15th straight victory on Dec. 13.
