Orchard Park, N.Y. — A sold out crowd packed into Ralph Wilson Stadium for the Buffalo Bills' home opener on Sunday afternoon to watch the Bills beat the Dolphins 29-10, improve to 2-0 and take sole possession of first place in the AFC East.
Fans began tailgating on Saturday morning, and most lots had filled up more than two hours before kickoff. Bills fans brought that excitement and enthusiasm into The Ralph, where there wasn't an empty seat at kickoff. Dolphins jerseys were tough to spot, and Bills fans had plenty to cheer about.
Here's what the team was saying about the atmosphere.
What the crowd did for the Bills
Coach Doug Marrone: "I think before I was telling the players to make sure they left early, so there was a great sense of energy prior that we wanted to make sure our players got here on time for the game, because so many people were coming out to it. Did our players feel that? Absolutely. To sit here and say that they fans weren’t a big part, those third downs and I know there was another penalty that the fans caused today with the noise. It’s outstanding. That’s why I think that this is one of the toughest places to play."
Cornerback Corey Graham: "It was beyond what I expected. The fans were so amazing today and I felt the energy the whole day while we were out there, they never let up. It was unbelievable. I never in a million years dreamed that it would be this special."
Offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson: "It was awesome. The atmosphere was crazy. It felt like the whole city of Buffalo came out to the game. From the guys come flying in from the sky, to how loud it was, it was awesome."
Where it ranks
Safety Aaron Williams: "I've played in (front of) a lot of crowds, a lot of big stadiums. This was top three of all time."
Team president Russ Brandon: "I've seen this stadium rock a lot of times but I've never felt it like that today. It was awesome."
Cornerback Corey Graham: "I must say the Bills fans are amazing. I played for a great team in Baltimore, I felt the fans there were amazing also. It definitely compares. I would say Baltimore and the Bills are pretty similar with their fans. They support their team through thick and thin no matter what it happening. That's all you can ask for as a player."
Running back Anthony Dixon: "They was rowdy. A-plus plus. I loved it for my first one. I loved it."
Running back Fred Jackson: "This was right up there, definitely one of the best crowds I've ever played for. It's exciting when you get that. We've got to keep winning games and we'll continue to have that throughout the season."
Bills players want more
Wide receiver Mike Williams: "It was amazing. Best fans in the world. Hopefully we fill up every single game and hopefully we keep riding high and keep getting wins."
Safety Aaron Williams: "Let's just keep it that way. Let's not just keep it to the home opener. Let's keep it going next week against the Chargers."
Running back Anthony Dixon: "They was great, man. They was great. But at the same time, we have to keep it up. We have the 24-hour rule. We have to slowly digest it, get this one out of our system, and in the morning, we get back to work."