By Matt Meyer, Mike Hayes and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN
Playing in front of a roaring home crowd in Orchard Park, New York, and buoyed by hopeful news about their hospitalized teammate Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills seemed destined for victory Sunday.
They did not disappoint, earning a decisive 35-23 victory in a high-scoring game against the New England Patriots.
The game featured two kickoff return touchdowns from Bills returner Nyheim Hines and thrilled play-by-play reaction on Twitter from Hamlin, who was watching from his hospital bed.
From CNN's David Close
Down 17-14 in the 3rd quarter, Buffalo Bills kick returner Nyheim Hines ran his second kickoff back for a touchdown against the New England Patriots on Sunday. His second half score went for 101 yards.
Injured Damar Hamlin tweeted from the hospital, “HINES FREE.”
Hines’ opening kickoff return for a 96-yard TD to start the game was the first for the team to start a game in 18 years. According to the Bills, Hines’ first return touchdown was also the team’s first overall in three years and three months. The Bills tweeted, “Meant to be,” as Hamlin wears jersey No. 3.
The Bills now lead the Patriots 28-17 in the third quarter.
It was quite a scene in Orchard Park, New York, Sunday morning.
Buffalo Bills fans are known for their raucous tailgate celebrations — and that festive spirit was still present Sunday as the city savored encouraging news about their hospitalized safety Damar Hamlin.
Tributes to the player were everywhere, including on the signs and vehicles of visiting New England Patriots fans. Here are some of the images captured before kickoff:
From CNN's Kevin Dotson
Prior to the start of Sunday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, a stadium ceremony honored Bills player Damar Hamlin and the medical staff that saved his life.
Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the site of Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest Monday night.
On Sunday, the stadium’s public address announcer Nick Wiget read the following statement:
“Throughout this week, our prayers were answered for Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills. As he continues his recovery, we thank the first responders and medical professionals involved in his care. The Bengals ask you to join us in a moment of support and love for Damar and cheer and applaud him, his family and our first responders. Let’s hear it for them!”
The fans in Cincinnati, many with signs supporting Hamlin, cheered loudly. The television broadcast also showed Bengals coach Zac Taylor wearing a “Love for Damar” hoodie during the tribute.
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was involved in the play where Hamlin was injured, wore a “Love for Damar” t-shirt during pregame warmups.
The Buffalo Bills, who spent the week worrying for the health of safety Damar Hamlin, returned the opening kickoff of their game for a 96-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots.
Hamlin, watching from the hospital, tweeted, “OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
An emotional crowd in Orchard Park, New York, burst into cheers and hugs as Bills head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen celebrated on the sideline.
According to the CBS broadcast, the opening kickoff return for a touchdown was the team's first in 18 years. What a return to action!
The Bills tweeted a clip of the touchdown with one word: "CHILLS."
CNN's David Close contributed to this report.
From CNN's Chuck Johnston
Ahead of the Buffalo Bills kickoff with the New England Patriots, Bills safety Damar Hamlin tweeted a picture of him watching the game from his hospital bed at UC Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
From CNN’s Kiely Westhoff
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted her support for the Buffalo Bills as the team's game against the New England Patriots got underway at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
“Over the last year, Buffalo has been through the unimaginable. As we come together today to cheer on our @BuffaloBills, we show the world the resiliency of the Buffalo spirit. ❤️💙,” Hochul wrote.
The governor was expected to attend Sunday’s game.
The Buffalo Bills players are back on the gridiron in front of a roaring home crowd, marking their return after safety Damar Hamlin's collapse during Monday Night Football.
In addition to the Bills clash with the New England Patriots, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing for the first time since they witnessed Hamlin's cardiac arrest on the opposing sideline of the Monday matchup.
Here are the other games underway in the NFL's early window. All of them will feature tributes to Hamlin:
From CNN's Coy Wire
The Buffalo Bills are set to honor Damar Hamlin and the medical workers involved in saving his life with a customized home tribute Sunday, a source told CNN's Coy Wire.
The pregame tribute at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, will especially highlight the members of the Bills training staff who immediately jumped into action after Hamlin collapsed on the field Monday.
That includes assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington, credited by Buffalo Bills head coach for saving Damar Hamlin’s life after he performed CPR on the field.
According to an update from the Bills Saturday, Hamlin remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.