Giddy Buffalo fans are making a surge in donations to Andy Dalton's foundation, their way of thanking the Bengals quarterback for his role in the Bills' long-awaited playoff appearance.
Dalton's foundation reported Tuesday that it has received more than $100,000 in donations since the Bengals beat the Ravens 31-27 on Sunday. Dalton threw a 49-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds left to eliminate the Ravens and open a spot for the Bills.
The Bills got the final AFC wild-card berth and ended their 17-year postseason drought, the longest among North America's four major professional sports.
Buffalo fans are thanking Dalton by donating to his foundation, which is asking them to reach a goal of $150,000. Dalton was surprised and thankful for the reaction by Bills fans.
"I think I'm the hottest guy in Buffalo right now," Dalton said Monday. "According to my Twitter, I think everybody's loving us right now. Obviously that's a crazy fan base and they're all pretty excited."
Dalton posted a video on his Twitter account Tuesday expressing his gratitude, explaining his foundation's work and encouraging more donations.
"Let's keep it going," he said.
The Bengals missed out on the playoffs for a second consecutive season, going 7-9 . They won their last two games, knocking the Lions and Ravens out of the playoff race.
Overreactions?
Will the Philadelphia Eagles be one-and-done in the playoffs? Associated Press pro football writer Rob Maaddi said the Eagles are facing a difficult situation.
"Nick Foles has struggled in two of his starts filling in for Carson Wentz and the offense has only scored 13 points in the last two games," wrote Maaddi. "Despite being the No. 1 seed, Philadelphia (13-3) might even be an underdog against the Saints, Panthers or Falcons in the divisional round.
"Foles can't possibly outplay Drew Brees, Cam Newton or Matt Ryan in a shootout. The Eagles would be better off with Nate Sudfeld.
"That's a double dose of overreactions to dissect.
"Starting Sudfeld over Foles isn't happening. Sudfeld just made his NFL debut. Foles tossed four touchdown passes against the Giants only two weeks ago. The offense is in a funk but the starters played just one quarter in a 6-0 loss against the Cowboys. Perhaps they could've fixed their problems if they stayed in.
"Foles isn't Wentz. That's obvious. But Coach Doug Pederson isn't benching him for a guy who hadn't thrown a pass until Sunday.
"The Eagles have the league's third-ranked rushing attack and a strong defense. They also have home-field advantage. Don't count them out just yet."
Sports quiz
The Cincinnati Bengals last won a playoff game in 1990. Who did the Bengals defeat?
Sports answer
The Houston Oilers, 41-14.
Sports on 01/03/2018