Damar Hamlin was cheering on from his hospital bed on Sunday as the Buffalo Bills clinched the no.2 seed in the AFC, but the opening touchdown had a mind-blowing connection to the NFL star.
It was always going to be an emotional occasion for the Bills, who played their first game since Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday night. The Bills safety collapsed on the field during the first quarter of their clash against Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, and had to be revived on the field.
Thankfully, Hamlin has since responded well to treatment and is on the road to recovery in hospital. NFL sides have paid their respects to the Bills no.3 all week, but the opening touchdown at Highmark Stadium had a chilling connection to Hamlin's squad number.
The Bills began their game against the New England Patriots perfectly as they found themselves in the endzone after just 14 seconds of play. Nyheim Hines scored directly from the opening kick as he danced past Patriots defenders and returned the ball immediately.
Hamlin couldn't believe it as he watched from his hospital bed, and tweeted: "OMFG!" But there was a strange connection linking everything, something that Hamlin has attributed to god.
The touchdown from Hines was the first time in three years and three months that the Bills have scored from a kick-off return in the NFL. With Hamlin wearing the no.3 for the Bills, it was a stunning occurrence.
Although, there was no luck behind it in Hamlin's opinion, as he reacted by tweeting: "God Behind All This No Coincidence." And as if one touchdown return wasn't enough for Hines, he did it again later on during the game.
Hines racked up a total of 197 yards purely from kick returns, scooping up two touchdowns in the process. And with the Bills winning they secured the no.2 seed, and kept the prospect of a neutral venue in the AFC Championship alive.
The Patriots were eliminated from play-off contention following their defeat, as the Miami Dolphins slipped into the post-season with a 11-6 win against New York Jets. The Bills won to ensure that should they meet the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, there will be no home advantage for either team.
The Bills were on course to be the no.1 in the AFC and secure a first-round bye, but after their game against the Bengals was cancelled, the Chiefs moved ahead. But the NFL stated that to compensate, there would be no home advantage if the sides were to meet in the post-season.
