BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sidelines Sports Bar on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo is one of the many places fans came out to cheer on the Bills against the New England Patriots.
"We thought about staying home for the game, but we wanted to have the comradery of everyone being here and just getting to cheer along," said Megan Crawley, who lives in Buffalo.
Although the game didn't end the way they hoped, with a 24-17 loss, fans were on their toes from beginning until the end.
"It was such a close game. It's a very tough team, and hopefully we'll meet them in the playoffs," Hamburg resident Jeffrey Brennan said.
For the third time in just four weeks, the Bills played in the national spotlight.
Fans say that in itself is a sign that this season the Bills are the real deal.
Derek Jaworek of Tonawanda said, "My parents would tell me when I was a kid that you play Monday night, you play Sunday night, and this is what good teams do. They get put on prime time, national spotlight. It just feels right. It's kind of where they belong."
Fans came in with optimism, and many told us this is still the most excited they've been about a season since the Super Bowl Era.
"It's been a long, long time since we've been able to be this proud of this team," Brennan said.
Mark Madison of Cheektowaga said, "The 90s were the best I've ever seen. Since then, this is the best team we've had since the 90s."
Fans say of course the loss to the Patriots stings, but they're eager to see the Bills in the playoffs, another opportunity to show the world what Buffalo can do.
A few dozen fans still showed up at the airport late Saturday night to greet the team as they arrived back home.
