I don’t know much about the respective strengths of Buffalo Bills vs. the Chief going into this all-important game, but I know many UAlbany students and alumni very invested & eager for a Bills win! So what can be learned from this (repeated rivalry) matchup…
(1) No question, the fans are a big part of fanning interest in this game: You have Swifties power adoringly rooting for Chiefs vs ardent devotion of Bills Mafia battle-hardened & driven! This speaks to impact of congregation! What the stands can accomplish! A resounding Amen!
(2) This game is not their 1st rodeo. These 2 teams showed up multiple times in this key spot, usually for very tight games. But right now THIS is THE game. No been there, done that mentality. Tanya’s Beinoni can feel its same ol’ battle/struggle all over again but takes it on each time anew!
(3) This Buffalo Bills vs. Chiefs game is plated at start of week of Torah Parsha Bo, when G-d tells Moses “Come to Pharaoh” when verse ought to have said Go. Why does it say come? Bcuz when we go forward on that field (of life), we’re not going alone. So much comes with us!
(4) The start of Parsha Bo has the 8th plague of Locusts, which like some football plays are most effective in a swarm. One locust alone, no matter how feisty doesn’t inflict as much damage, its the team in unison, working in coordination, that has the maximum impact.
(5) Word has it that this 2024 season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Buffalo Bills, not a year to make it to the championships. But despite the naysayers, they did! One can still do great things even while rebuilding!
(6) I’m told Josh Allen (& Buffalo Bills coach) can’t go conservative in this game. To win he has to go all out, to be explosive! (that’s the word this alumni fan told me). Look, can’t throw caution to winds, but too much caution, fear, 2nd guessing can inhibit, limit us!
(7) Bills have beaten the Chiefs before, and even in this year’s season. But not in the playoffs! Bigger games bring bigger challenges, and require one to really up their game, especially with so much at stake. Mahomes is seasoned in playoff games, Josh Allen not as much. Or maybe this year?
What other takeaway life lessons from this big game?