2017 Season: AFC Wild Card Preview

#6 Buffalo Bills (10-5-1) vs #3 Cincinnati Bengals (9-6-1)
In Week 5 this season, these two Wild Card opponents played to a 31-31 tie in one of the year's most exciting games.
The Bills out-gained the Bengals 509 to 284, but spent a majority of the 4th quarter and all of overtime without Aaron Rodgers.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, in relief of Rodgers, tossed a pair of late INTs (one returned for six) to push the game to overtime and the eventual draw.
This time around, Buffalo will be with their leader back under center. But Rodgers and company will be without many key weapons on both sides of the ball.
WR Amari Cooper, CB Casey Hayward, WR Jeremy Maclin, WR Anquan Boldin, and rookie FS Budda Baker will all miss the rematch.The Bengals will also be without a few key contributors as TE Tyler Eifert, DE Carlos Dunlap, and HB Jeremy Hill are all listed as doubtful for the contest.
After firing their defensive coordinator mid-season and moving to a 3-4 scheme, the Bills have gone 6-1. That scheme will be put to the test against the Bengals and their 4th ranked NFL offense (6th ranked rushing offense). However, the Bengals also boast the 6th worst NFL defense (27th overall) while the Bills own the 5th ranked scoring offense.
Defensively, the Bills ended the season with the NFL's #3 ranked defense despite their slow start to the season and have racked up an astounding 75 sacks this season.
Cincinnati should get a small boost from their home crowd, but not enough to right the wrong of the early season tie. Buffalo should win the game by a final of 35-14.

#5 Miami Dolphins (12-4) vs #4 Denver Broncos (8-8)
The Denver Broncos limped into the playoffs at 8-8, but have been widely touted as the team 'no one' wanted to play due to the fact that they still line up arguably one of the best QBs in the league (Drew Brees) under center and have a premier pass rusher in Von Miller terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.
However, this Miami team seems focused having won eight out of their last nine games, including a come-from-behind 39-24 home victory over these same Broncos in Week 13.
Drew Brees, the AFC's Offensive Player of the Year, will lead the NFL's #3 ranked passing offense against the NFL's #1 ranked defense. The Dolphins gave up the fewest yards passing in the NFL this season and allowed the 3rd fewest rushing yards. Miami also led the NFL with 87 sacks while yielding the fewest points-per-game in the league (15.9).
Denver will also be without their starting Right Tackle (Garrett Bolles) and Right Guard Michael Schofield. The Broncos will be forced to start Menelik Watson at RT who will be tasked with keeping All Pro Khalil Mack out of the team's backfield.
Despite the close game in November, all signs are pointing to a resounding Miami victory. Dolphins win 30-10.

2017 Season: Week #17 Recap

Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

BUFFALO                   3         0        3          0          6

MIAMI                        0         7        7         5           19

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins (12-4, 4-2 AFC East) finally exercised last year's Divisional Round loss demons with their emphatic 19-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills (10-5-1, 3-3) Sunday in South Beach.
Aaron Rodgers had a rough outing with three INT on a day that saw him sacked seven times.
"It was not our best day," Rodgers said. "We need to regroup for next week's playoff game."
The Dolphins will be the AFC's #5 seed and will most likely face the Denver Broncos in a Week #14 rematch.
The Bills will be the #6 seed and may face the Cincinnati Bengals in another early season rematch. The teams played in an epic tie that was easily one of the most entertaining games of the 2017 season.

New York Jets vs New England Patriots

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

NEW YORK              14        7         7         15        43

NEW ENGLAND      3         7         6         10        26

FOXBORO – The New York Jets (13-3, 5-1 AFC East) finished their dominant regular season with a xx-xx victory over the New England Patriots (4-12, 0-6). 
Kevin Hogan played much better than he had in previous weeks with an efficient first half against a Patriots squad looking forward to 2018.
"We all want to see Derek (Carr) out there," Hogan said. "It's my job to keep us in games until he can get back."
The Jets will now wait to see whom they will play in the Divisional Round as the AFC's #1 seed.
New England, on the other hand, will look to continue to build off a strong 2017 draft as they head into 2018.

2017 Season: Week #16 Recap

Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

BUFFALO                   3        10       7         14         34

NEW ENGLAND      12        3        0         0           15

NEW ENGLAND – For most of the first half it looked as if the New England Patriots (4-11, 0-5 AFC East) were in line to keep the Buffalo Bills (10-4-1, 3-2) postseason dreams on hold. But, with a late 2nd quarter pick-six, Dak Prescott helped set in motion another late collapse for the Pats.
"I can't do that," Prescott said. "We were controlling the game in all three phases and I just gave them life."
Myles Garrett continued his stellar play, harassing Prescott all day before helping cause the 2nd year signal caller to leave the game in the 2nd half.
Fellow rookie Reuben Foster was equally as disruptive for the Patriots. Foster, the Alabama product, looks to have a bright NFL future ahead.
"He's amazing," Garrett said. "I remember him at the combine and in our SEC battles. I'm glad I'm not an offensive player going against him."
The Patriots will end their season next week against the AFC East Champion New York Jets while the Bills will look to jump up to the #5 seed as they take on their rivals from Miami.

Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

MIAMI                       14       3         16       10        43

KANSAS CITY         7         0         0         10        17

KANSAS CITY – Latavius Murray rushed for 156 yards and added three touchdowns to lead the Miami Dolphins (11-4) back into the playoffs for the third consecutive year with their emphatic 43-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Alex Smith was harassed all day before leaving late in the 4th quarter with what looked to be a serious injury.
"Tough," Smith said. "I think I was sacked eight times - it was a struggle all day."
Khalil Mack and Bobby Wagner each notched 2.0 sacks as their team is back in the postseason.
"Last year was a tough ending for us," Wagner said. "It's tough in the NFL to get to the playoffs, we want to finish strong next week and see if we can start this five-game winning streak to get us a Lombardi in Minnesota."
With their battle with the Buffalo Bills looming which will determine the 5th and 6th seeds, look for the Dolphins regulars to go all in to lock up the #5 spot.

Los Angeles Chargers vs New York Jets

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

LOS ANGELES         7         0         0         0          7

NEW YORK               7         7        14        7          35

NEW YORK – The Derek Carr-less New York Jets (12-3) locked up their first AFC East Crown in the 3GML era with a runaway 35-7 victory over Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday morning.
Kevin Hogan struggled mightily early with a pair of turnovers before being pulled for Nathan Peterman early in the 2nd quarter.
Jamaal Charles opened up the scoring floodgates late in the 2nd with a 62-yard TD run.
"We are missing many players," Todd Bowles said. "But this makes the division crown all the more sweeter to win with our depth. It takes 53 guys to make this happen."
The Jets are now in new territory with what looks to be a meaningless Week #17 matchup against the New England Patriots looming.
However, with their wide array of current injuries, they may not have the ability to rest many players since they've been operating with 45 active players each week.

2017 Season: Week #15 Recap

New York Jets vs New Orleans Saints

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

NEW YORK               0        13       15        0         28

NEW ORLEANS      10        7        14       10        41

NEW ORLEANS – A week after clinching their first playoff appearance during of the 3GML era, the New York Jets (11-3) fell back to earth with a disappointing 41-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Pundits will point to the 'would, coulda, shoulda' factor with the Jets essentially missing their entire roster of skill players on offense. The team also lost Aaron Donald for a majority of the game in the defeat.
"Obviously you want to win every game," Todd Bowles said. "But I'm proud of our guys. We kept it close until the end with a lot of second string guys out there contributing."
New York's defense kept them in it most of the way, but the team could not overcome six turnovers by their unrecognizable offense.
With one more win over the last two weeks, the Jets should be able to lock up the AFC East crown and potentially the AFC's #1 seed. 
The team next hosts the Los Angeles Chargers before finishing with the struggling New England Patriots.

Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

MIAMI                       0         7         3         7          17

BUFFALO                  21       0         0         3          24

BUFFALO – In last year's Divisional Round, the Miami Dolphins (10-4, 3-2 AFC East) saw their season come to an end in a blizzard on New Era Field. Before all the fans had taken their seats, Teddy Bridgewater had tossed a pair of pick sixes and Marquette King had a punt blocked for a TD to put the team down 21 points early in the first quarter - a deficit the Buffalo Bills (9-4-1, 2-2) never relinquished.
"Obviously that's a terrible start by me personally," Bridgewater said. "We wanted to be aggressive in the snow early before it picked up, and their great secondary took advantage."
James Bradberry took another interception to the house in that pivotal quarter (another was called back due to penalty in the 3rd).
"People keep trying me," Bradberry said. "At some point they'll learn."
The Bills are now a half a game back of the #5 seed in the AFC.
The AFC East is now very compelling as we enter the final three weeks of the season. The New York Jets looked to be a lock three weeks ago to run away with the division, but now, with Kevin Hogan under center, any of the top three teams could walk away with the crown.
Miami will try to right their ship against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week #16 while the Bills take on the hapless Patriots. Both teams will meet in what should be an important Week #17 tilt down in South Beach. 

New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

NEW ENGLAND     10        7         0         0          17

PITTSBURGH           0        0         3          7          10

PITTSBURGH – After a strong start, the New England Patriots (4-9) were able to hold off the late-charging Pittsburgh Steelers who were operating without Ben Roethlisberger.
Rookie sensation Reuben Foster had another stellar outing for the Pats with seven tackles and another forced fumble.
"We are just rolling into next year," Foster said. "We want to be in that playoff hunt next year."
Dak Prescott was lost for most of the second half, but will most likely be available next week as the Pats aim to play spoiler versus the Bills. 

2017 Season: Week #14 Recap

New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

NEW ENGLAND      0         0          3        0           3

MIAMI                       0        10         7        6          23

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins (10-3, 3-2 AFC East) ran their winning streak to six games with a 23-3 victory over the New England Patriots (3-10, 0-3) on Monday Night Football.
Latavius Murray led the way with 142 rushing yards while All Pro Khalil Mack added a team-high 3.5 sacks.
"Just a good, solid team win," Adam Gase said. "We could have played better, but they are a talented group on the other side."
The Dolphins next face off agains the Buffalo Bills, who ended their season a year ago with a 13-9 Divisional Round victory in the snow.

Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

INDIANAPOLIS       7         0         0         0          7

BUFFALO                  0         10       24      24        58

BUFFALO – Ever since the Buffalo Bills (8-4-1) fired their defensive coordinator and moved to a 3-4 defensive scheme, the team has been unbeatable. That trend continued with their convincing win agains the Indianapolis Colts 58-7 Sunday.
The Bills added another four takeaways to their growing season tally while Aaron Rodgers earned AFC Player of the Week honors with his 17-29, 256 passing yards, and 5 TD day.
"I'd like to go re-read all those stories burying our postseason chances when we were sitting at .500 Week 9," Rodgers said. "The season is very long - we are peaking at the right time."
The Bills will stay home to take on the Miami Dolphins in a pivotal AFC East matchup next weekend. 

New York Jets vs Denver Broncos

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

NEW YORK               3        10       10        6          29

DENVER                    7        0          0         17        24

DENVER – The NFL's #1 team was able to overcome a devastating loss of their QB with a 29-24 win over the Denver Broncos. The Jets (11-2) own the league's most complete and dominating roster, but will have to endure another huge loss as Derek Carr looks to be out at least until late January.
"It's brutal," Carr said. "First DJ (David Johnson), then we lost our two most explosive receivers in Tyreek (Hill) and Brandin (Cooks), and now I'm out."
A devastated Todd Bowles had no words at his postgame press conference and repeatedly gave one word answers.
The Jets defense again held the team up allowing only 19 yards rushing.
In back-up duty, quarterback Kevin Hogan rushed for 104 yards in what could be the new normal for the Jets.
Hogan and the Jets next head to New Orleans to take on the NFC's top-ranked team. 

2017 Season: Week #13 Recap

New England vs Buffalo Bills

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

NEW ENGLAND      0         0          0        6           6

BUFFALO                  14      13        10      14         51

BUFFALO – Despite their overwhelming victory, the Buffalo Bills (7-4-1, 1-2 AFC East) paid a big price with the loss of MLB Dont'a Hightower during their 51-6 romp over the New England Patriots (3-9, 0-3) in a Buffalo Blizzard.
Myles Garrett and fellow rookie standout Zach Cunningham paved the way, pressuring Dak Prescott throughout.
"He (Cunningham) is coming into his own," Garrett said. "He looked like Barry Sanders out there today with all his TDs."
Cunningham, the rookie out of Vanderbilt, scored twice with a fumble recovery late in the 4th for a TD and a long pick-six early in the game.
"I wasn't here last year for the championship run," Cunningham said. "But this team is clicking. With 12 (Aaron Rodgers) behind center, we are always in it."
Rodgers had another typically strong game despite being down a few weapons in the win.
The Bills will next take on the reeling Indianapolis Colts.

Kansas City vs New York Jets

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

KANSAS CITY         0         0         3         0          3

NEW YORK               7         3         0         0          10

NEW YORK – What once was a smooth-running ship toward the AFC crown, the New York Jets (10-2, 3-1) are taking on water despite their 10-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. 
All-Everything running back David Johnson was lost for the season early in the game along with Tyreek Hill who will miss time into the playoffs (to go along with the team's news that Brandin Cooks may not be available until the playoffs as well). 
"Devastating," Derek Carr said. "Just horrible for him and us as a team. But we will rally." 
Carr, without his top weapons, made no mistakes to help his team's defense bury the Chiefs who managed only a field goal attempt on the day.
The young signal-caller will certainly be leaned-upon moving forward to push his team deep into January.
The Jets will hope to find some new weapons before they take on the Denver Broncos next weekend. 

Denver Broncos vs Miami Dolphins

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

DENVER                    7        7        10        7           24

MIAMI                        7        7        8         17          39

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins (9-3) survived a battle against the Denver Broncos with a 39-24 victory Sunday in South Beach.
Five Drew Brees interceptions doomed his team's chances to regain the AFC West lead.
"They were all over the place in the secondary," Brees said. "Not my best effort out there."
Miami's defense led the way despite giving up two 70+ yard touchdowns. Without those two scores, the game would have been much more lopsided.
"It was a punch in the mouth with CJ Anderson's long run to start the game," Bobby Wagner said. "But we stuck with it and our offense finally started to get some points up on the board."
Teddy Bridgewater had another solid game with 225 yards passing and four total TDs (one rushing). 
The Dolphins will next face the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.