With an outpouring of good will from Bills fans and players, and exciting plays in a crucial win, the N.F.L. created memories that faded the horror of Damar Hamlin’s collapse.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — As Nyheim Hines of the Buffalo Bills cradled a kickoff on Sunday and scooted across the cold field and then down the sideline, a 96-yard touchdown on the first play of this emotion-drenched game, you could feel Highmark Stadium rumble and sway — fans letting loose of this past week’s fear and hope in a stunning moment of community catharsis.