The NFL’s conference championship weekend is here, and while four teams prepare to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, the Buffalo Bills are watching from home - again. Their season ended in gut-wrenching fashion, falling 33-30 in overtime to the Denver Broncos. That loss didn’t just close the book on another playoff run; it opened up a whole new chapter of uncertainty for the franchise.
Buffalo is now knee-deep in a head coaching search, and there are more questions than answers when it comes to the future of the roster. The decision to move on from head coach Sean McDermott - but not general manager Brandon Beane - has sparked plenty of debate. And as Bills fans try to make sense of what’s next, they’ll notice something a little bittersweet this weekend: a handful of familiar faces suiting up for teams still in the hunt.
Six former Bills players are playing in today’s conference championship games.
Let’s start with the AFC title game, where the Broncos and Patriots will square off. Between those two rosters, four former Bills players are in the mix.
For Denver, wide receiver Elijah Moore is a name that might raise some eyebrows. Yes, that Elijah Moore - the one who briefly passed through Buffalo earlier this year before being released. He’s been on the Broncos’ practice squad and hasn’t seen the field yet, but with the stakes this high and depth always a factor, he could be called upon.
On the Patriots’ side, it’s a trio of ex-Bills making contributions. Stefon Diggs is the headliner here.
After being traded to New England, Diggs made an immediate impact - including a key role in the Patriots' Week 5 win over Buffalo, which handed the Bills their first loss of the season. He’s still a dangerous weapon, and seeing him in a different uniform this deep into the playoffs is sure to sting for Bills Mafia.
Mack Hollins, another former Buffalo wideout, is back from injured reserve and has carved out a role as a physical presence in the run game and a contested-catch option. He’s not flashy, but he’s the kind of player who does the dirty work that shows up on film more than the stat sheet.
Then there’s cornerback Alex Austin, a former Bills draft pick who didn’t log any snaps in Buffalo but has found a role in New England’s secondary. He’s played sparingly, but his development since leaving Buffalo is worth noting - especially for a team that struggled in coverage at times this season.
Over in the NFC, the Rams and Seahawks will battle for the conference crown, and two more former Bills are in the spotlight - both now with the Rams.
Defensive tackle Poona Ford is one of them. His stint in Buffalo was underwhelming, largely because he never seemed to fit into the defensive scheme.
But since landing in Los Angeles, Ford has been a steady contributor. It’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been, especially considering how much the Bills struggled to stop the run this season.
Ford’s strength in the trenches could’ve made a difference.
On the offensive side, David Quessenberry is another familiar name. He was used primarily as a depth piece and extra blocker during his time in Buffalo, but he’s found a role with the Rams. He’s not a starter, but he’s a trusted veteran presence on the offensive line - the kind of guy you want in your locker room during a playoff push.
So while Buffalo’s season is over, the team’s fingerprints are still all over championship weekend.
Kickoff for the AFC title game in Denver is set for 3 p.m. EST, followed by the NFC showdown at 6:30 p.m.
EST. And while Bills fans would much rather be watching their team play for a shot at the Super Bowl, they’re instead left watching former players help other franchises chase the Lombardi Trophy.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that entered the season with championship aspirations. Now, instead of game-planning for the biggest stage, the Bills are searching for a new head coach and trying to figure out what went wrong - and how to fix it.
This wasn’t the January anyone in Buffalo expected. But here we are.