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'A gigantic game' | Bills fans and players amped for another prime time setting in Orchard Park

Josh Allen-Aaron Rodgers

It's a home game 15 years in the making.

For the first time since 2007, the Buffalo Bills have a Sunday Night Football game in Orchard Park with fans in attendance. The Bills and Steelers played in Buffalo in 2020 on SNF but fans were not allowed to attend.

With another primetime game, Halloween weekend and a blistering 5-1 start to the season for the Bills, it's no ordinary week in Orchard Park. 

"I think everyone on this team always loves primetime just knowing the eyes are on us. It gets (us) a little extra hyped up every week. I think with primetime there's always a little extra juice, too. It's easy to get yourself going," Bills TE Dawson Knox said.

The visiting Green Bay Packers come to town sporting an underwhelming 3-4 record and three consecutive losses. But the amount of storylines for Sunday night are enough to fill a candy basket.

For starters, quarterbacks Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers have been nothing short of studs when the lights get bright. Rodgers is 13-0 in his last 13 prime time games while Allen has been at his best in both prime time games the Bills have played in this season, combining for 614 passing yards, 66 rushing yards and 8 total touchdowns.

Football Night in America analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy — who will be in attendance for the game with the NBC broadcast crew — said that while he doesn't put extra stock into a team's record in prime time games, he believes there's still value specifically when it comes to playing in playoff atmospheres.

"What it does tell you or the confidence it gives you if you're Sean McDermott is, 'Hey, my team, I know they can get up for these big moments. We're gonna have some big moments down the road. We're gonna have some playoff games that will mirror this'," Dungy shared. "And knowing that we've been able to do it, that it's going to put you at ease."

One fan who will have one of the best views in the house come Sunday night is longtime season ticket holder Tony Califano. He, his brother Ed and their friend Brooks Robin, also known as the Bills Brothers. The trio hasn't missed a home game in 35 years and have first row seats in the end zone.

While the Bills are heavy favorites, Califano believes it is going to be a close and competitive game.

halloween-graphic

"I'm kinda nervous about Green Bay only because they've lost their last three games and they are hungry," he said. 

Tailgating is expected to be pandemonium throughout the day considering the long wait until kickoff. Lots surrounding the stadium will be packed with BillsMafia tailgaters as soon as the sun rises and weather expected to be in the 50s with no rain in the forecast.

"I'll be there around 11 in the morning," Califano said. "We have a lot of fun. Where I'm at, the players can hear you so it's a lot of fun to talk and they put their hand up when they hear you or acknowledge you."

The Bills Brothers, and many other Bills fans, have had this game circled on their calendar since the beginning of the season.

"We can't wait," Califano said. "We knew it was going to be a gigantic game."

The Bills practice in the ADPRO Sports fieldhouse to prepare for Sunday night's game against the Packers.

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