The Buffalo Bills ended the longest current non-playoff drought in North American pro sports on Sunday, making the postseason for the first time since 1999.
Buffalo (9-7) avoided elimination by beating Miami 22-16 on the road, and clinched an AFC wild-card berth minutes later when Cincinnati rallied past Baltimore.
The Bills watched the dramatic finish of the Bengals game on locker room TVs, and then erupted.
"Everybody went crazy," said Kyle Williams, who is in his 12th season with the Bills. "I've been a wreck for 10 to 15 minutes."
The Bills' joy was tempered by the loss of 1,000-yard rusher LeSean McCoy with a right ankle injury. He was in a walking boot and tears after the game.
The frustration of a disappointing season got the best of the Dolphins (6-10) with 6:21 left, when receiver Jarvis Landry, running back Kenyan Drake and offensive lineman Jake Brendel were ejected following a fight.
Cincinnati 31, Baltimore 27: The host Ravens (9-7) were ousted from the playoff hunt in stunning fashion when Andy Dalton threw a 49-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Tyler Boyd with 44 seconds left to give the Bengals (7-9) a victory. Needing a win to advance to the postseason, Baltimore rallied from a 14-point deficit to take its first lead with 8:48 left. But Dalton put together a magnificent 90-yard drive in the closing minutes. "To battle our way back the way we did, and then not to be able to finish and win the game is about as tough as it can be," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.
Tennessee 15, Jacksonville 10: The host Titans (9-7) ended an eight-season playoff drought by beating the Jaguars (10-6) and clinching the AFC's first wild-card berth. Tennessee sacked Blake Bortles twice and forced four turnovers, two of them interceptions by Kevin Byard.
