Lawrence capped two fourth-quarter go-ahead drives with touchdown passes – one to wide receiver Parker Washington (six yards) and another to Etienne (14 yards) – but quarterback Josh Allen’s 1-yard sneak with 1:04 remaining gave the Bills the final margin of victory.
“There’s a level of just disappointment and the fact that we couldn’t close the game out,” Lloyd said. “Now you look around and everybody’s packing the locker and it all just happens so fast. It’s going to linger, especially knowing we don’t have another week to make it right.
“At the same time, you have to get over it and get your body right and you just look back on all the good things. I’m just so proud of everybody.”
Players on Monday spoke not just of disappointment, but of what appears to be bright future. The South title marked the fifth division title in franchise history, their 13 regular-season victories were one shy of the franchise record set in 1999 and their eight consecutive victories marked the second-longest single-season winning streak in franchise history.
“Obviously we set a new standard for how we want things within the organization,” defensive end Travon Walker said.