Miami @ New York Jets
1 2 3 4 FINAL
MIAMI 0 3 3 0 6
NEW YORK 0 10 0 3 13
NEW YORK – In a year filled with primetime duds, NFL purists were certainly rejoicing as the New York Jets (8-6, 2-2 AFC East) kept their postseason hopes alive with a 13-6 victory over their bitter rivals from Miami (12-2, 2-2).
Both teams equally characterized the game a must-win, playoff-type event in the build up prior to the Saturday Night affair - and the game played out as such.
With both teams opting to play the game in a phone booth, the respect for each opposing defense was evident.
"It's obvious we both had the exact same game plan," Aaron Donald said. "You play that game 100 times and I honestly think it each team wins 50 - this time we got it."
With both teams finishing the games with eerily similar stat lines (and neither cracking 200 yards of total offense) the game was setup to hinge on whomever made critical errors at the wrong time.
This time, the typically stoic Miami squad, blinked and ended up losing.
Midway through the second quarter, head coach Adam Gase sent out his All-World kicker Justin Tucker to attempt a 68-yard field goal (with the wind).
Although Tucker's boot fell inches short, a punt in that situation is more the 'Miami-way.'
David Johnson took the ball on the very next play and scored the game's only touchdown on a 42-yard run.
"I love that coach trusts me," Tucker said. "It would have been good from 67, so not too bad of a choice if you ask me."
Early in the 4th quarter, trailing only 10-6, Earl Thomas had a wide open break on a well-designed punt block attempt. Thomas narrowly missed the ball, crashing into the vulnerable Jets punter for a 15-yard penalty that led to 3-more Jets points.
Ten points off two Dolphins mistakes.
Ball game.
"The better team won tonight," Earl Thomas said. "I think they executed our gameplan to perfection. It kills me that my penalty hurt us, but there were missed plays on their side as well that could have put them even further ahead. We will use this, grow from it, and hopefully see them again in the playoffs."
Calvin Pryor, who had amped up his trash-talking in anticipation of both of his team's matchups with the Jets this season, was visibly dejected after the loss.
"It hurts man," Pryor said. "I agree with Earl (Thomas) though for real. That's a real team over there - much respect. I don't think my talking helped them, they are pros and don't need made up motivation, I was just trying to get it amped up. But it's playoff time now man, I'll button it up and hopefully we'll get another crack at them."
Miami gets no rest as they now travel to Buffalo (13-1, 3-1) for a shot at getting back into the AFC's #1 seed race with the Bills.
The Jets, now in control of their own playoff destiny, will face the New England Patriots (8-6, 1-3) in what is essentially a playoff game to earn the AFC's #6 seed.
Both teams equally characterized the game a must-win, playoff-type event in the build up prior to the Saturday Night affair - and the game played out as such.
With both teams opting to play the game in a phone booth, the respect for each opposing defense was evident.
"It's obvious we both had the exact same game plan," Aaron Donald said. "You play that game 100 times and I honestly think it each team wins 50 - this time we got it."
With both teams finishing the games with eerily similar stat lines (and neither cracking 200 yards of total offense) the game was setup to hinge on whomever made critical errors at the wrong time.
This time, the typically stoic Miami squad, blinked and ended up losing.
Midway through the second quarter, head coach Adam Gase sent out his All-World kicker Justin Tucker to attempt a 68-yard field goal (with the wind).
Although Tucker's boot fell inches short, a punt in that situation is more the 'Miami-way.'
David Johnson took the ball on the very next play and scored the game's only touchdown on a 42-yard run.
"I love that coach trusts me," Tucker said. "It would have been good from 67, so not too bad of a choice if you ask me."
Early in the 4th quarter, trailing only 10-6, Earl Thomas had a wide open break on a well-designed punt block attempt. Thomas narrowly missed the ball, crashing into the vulnerable Jets punter for a 15-yard penalty that led to 3-more Jets points.
Ten points off two Dolphins mistakes.
Ball game.
"The better team won tonight," Earl Thomas said. "I think they executed our gameplan to perfection. It kills me that my penalty hurt us, but there were missed plays on their side as well that could have put them even further ahead. We will use this, grow from it, and hopefully see them again in the playoffs."
Calvin Pryor, who had amped up his trash-talking in anticipation of both of his team's matchups with the Jets this season, was visibly dejected after the loss.
"It hurts man," Pryor said. "I agree with Earl (Thomas) though for real. That's a real team over there - much respect. I don't think my talking helped them, they are pros and don't need made up motivation, I was just trying to get it amped up. But it's playoff time now man, I'll button it up and hopefully we'll get another crack at them."
Miami gets no rest as they now travel to Buffalo (13-1, 3-1) for a shot at getting back into the AFC's #1 seed race with the Bills.
The Jets, now in control of their own playoff destiny, will face the New England Patriots (8-6, 1-3) in what is essentially a playoff game to earn the AFC's #6 seed.
Cleveland @ Buffalo
1 2 3 4 FINAL
CLEVELAND 0 7 0 14 21
BUFFALO 7 7 7 3 24
BUFFALO – Aaron Rodgers and his Buffalo Bills (13-1) teammates kept the undermanned Cleveland Browns at bay throughout their snowy contest with a 24-21 victory.
Despite their two late, garbage-time scores, the Browns were never truly in a contest that saw the Bills dominate time of possession while setting the stage for their AFC East championship showdown next week.
"You never overlook any team in the NFL," Rodgers said. "But we are here at Miami week now."
Rodgers finished 20-24 for 216 yards and a pair of scores.
Leading 24-7 heading into the 4th quarter, the Bills offense relied on steadily improving James White to grind down the clock.
The Todd Gurley stand-in has performed admirably as Buffalo has waited to get their bell cow back.
White finished with 112 yards rushing and a TD on the day.
"Next man up," White said. "I'm excited for 30 (Gurley) to get back too for this playoff run."
Buffalo will stay home to face their rivals from Miami in a de-facto AFC East Championship game.
Despite Miami's loss yesterday to the Jets, tiebreakers (with a Miami win) could still give the Dolphins the East title if both teams end up with the same record.
Despite their two late, garbage-time scores, the Browns were never truly in a contest that saw the Bills dominate time of possession while setting the stage for their AFC East championship showdown next week.
"You never overlook any team in the NFL," Rodgers said. "But we are here at Miami week now."
Rodgers finished 20-24 for 216 yards and a pair of scores.
Leading 24-7 heading into the 4th quarter, the Bills offense relied on steadily improving James White to grind down the clock.
The Todd Gurley stand-in has performed admirably as Buffalo has waited to get their bell cow back.
White finished with 112 yards rushing and a TD on the day.
"Next man up," White said. "I'm excited for 30 (Gurley) to get back too for this playoff run."
Buffalo will stay home to face their rivals from Miami in a de-facto AFC East Championship game.
Despite Miami's loss yesterday to the Jets, tiebreakers (with a Miami win) could still give the Dolphins the East title if both teams end up with the same record.
