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A16 sports
Tuesday 19 January 2021
Still playing: Bills, Bucs risen from Super Bowl droughts

By BARRY WILNER that seems low, remember
AP Pro Football Writer who is quarterbacking the
In the 1990s, the Bills buffa- opposition.
loed their way to four suc- AFC
cessive — if not successful Buffalo (14-3) at Kansas
— Super Bowls. No other City (15-2)
franchise has managed So much will depend on
that. Mahomes’ condition. While
About a decade later, the journeyman backup Chad
long-downtrodden Bucca- Henne did well enough
neers swashbuckled to an after Mahomes departed
NFL title. Sunday in the third quarter,
Ever since, pretty much even making two big plays
nothing for those teams. to clinch the win, the Chiefs
Until now. would be severely ham-
Next weekend, Buffalo, pered if Mahomes can’t
which last got this far in play.
the 1993 season, heads to Andy Reid, whose willing-
reigning Super Bowl cham- ness to gamble and al-
pion Kansas City. And the ways play to win should be
Chiefs could be missing lauded regardless of cir-
their dynamic star quarter- cumstance, has designed
back, Patrick Mahomes, a nearly unstoppable at-
who was concussed in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) works against the New Orleans Saints during tack — when Mahomes is
22-17 victory Sunday over the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. behind center. It’s hard to
Associated Press
Cleveland. imagine Travis Kelce, Tyreek
“It’s a special time to be tablishes how responsible the divisional round, and eron Brate. Hill and the other threats
a Buffalo Bill, “ tackle Dion he was for all those titles likely will need similar per- “It was huge. I think the de- being, well, as threatening
Dawkins said. in New England with each formances to advance. fense was the key to the without him.
Meanwhile, TB (as in Tampa victory in Tampa. “We Sure, the Bucs and Pack game,” Brady said after the Reid maintains there is
Bay), led by TB (as in Tom worked hard to get to this are lauded for their offense, win over the Saints. It needs something else at play in
Brady) heads to Green Bay point. Two road playoff from their quarterbacks — to be huge once more.” KC. Asked what impressed
for the NFC championship wins is pretty sweet.” Green Bay’s Aaron Rodg- As for the conditions at him most about the Chiefs
game. Yes, the same Bucs Which two teams will be ers has had perhaps the Lambeau Field, well, fore- holding off Cleveland, he
who made the postseason sweetest? The teams that best season of his illustrious casts call for temperatures replied:
once, in 2007, after their will head to Tampa — yes, career — to strong runners in the 20s, which certainly is “Probably just the intesti-
2002 league crown, and that’s where the Super Bowl Leonard Fournette and cold for a team from Flori- nal fortitude of the guys
not since — until Brady and will be staged on Feb. 7, Aaron Jones, to a bevy of da, but not frigid. And re- pounding through, not get-
his six Super Bowl rings ar- and no team has played in receivers, to solid lines. But member where Brady won ting down when Pat went
rived from New England for the big game on its home holding down All-Pros Rod- all those titles. down. That’s easier said
this season. Their 30-20 win field. gers and wide receiver Da- Oddly, the Packers have than done. Somebody
at New Orleans sent them NFC vante Adams is a must for not won an NFC cham- asked that just about the
to Lambeau Field for the Tampa Bay (13-5) at Green Tampa Bay. So is neutraliz- pionship game at home quarterback, so just that
NFC championship match. Bay (14-3) ing Brady hooking up with since the 1996 season. They part of it, having that trust,
“It’s great for our team,” Both teams used key plays Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, are four-point favorites in having earned that respect
said Brady, who further es- by their defense to win in Rob Gronkowski and Cam- the earliest betting lines. If from the guys I think is big.q

Barrett, Randle power Knicks past

struggling Magic 91-84

For a franchise that has who improved to 7-8. Perhaps the early start -- it
spent the most of the last “Our group is learning how was a noon tip-off -- af-
two decades trying to find to win,” Randle said. “I fected both teams. New
its way, Payton’s outlook credit that to our coach- York led 47-38 after a first
may have represented if es.” While the Knicks are half in which the Knicks
not an organizational sea taking baby steps forward, made only 37% of their
change, then certainly a the same can’t be said of shots and Orlando 32%.
noticeable difference. the Magic. They have lost New York’s lead grew to
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) holds onto the As did their play. six in a row to drop to 6-8. 68-54 after Obi Toppin’s
ball before driving down court during the first half of an NBA R.J. Barrett scored 22 Nikola Vucevic had 24 alley-oop jam one minute
basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. points and had 10 re- points and 14 rebounds into the fourth.
18, 2021, in New York. bounds, and Julius Randle for Orlando while Aaron The Magic rallied and
Associated Press added 21 points and 17 Gordon had 18 points and went ahead 81-80 when
By DENIS P. GORMAN New York Knicks coaches rebounds to lead the New 17 rebounds and Terrence Ross’ 28-foot heave beat
Associated Press and executives. York to its second straight Ross 19 points. an expiring shot clock. The
NEW YORK (AP) — Elfrid “We’re not satisfied,” Pay- win. Payton chipped in “We gave ourselves a lead lasted for all of eight
Payton’s words at the po- ton said after the Knicks’ with 12 points and rookie chance but we kind of seconds, with Randle ty-
dium Monday had to be 91-84 victory over the Or- guard Immanuel Quickley blew it at the same time,” ing the game with a free
sweet music to the ears of lando Magic on Monday. added 11 for the Knicks, Ross said. throw.q