2017 Season: AFC Championship Recap

Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets

                                     1         2         3         4          OT        FINAL

MIAMI                       3         3         0         7           0          13

NEW YORK               7         3         3         0          3           16

NEW YORK – For a team that spent a majority of the regular season regarded as the NFL's best and most complete club, the New York Jets also overcame waves of adversity that would have crushed most teams. 
That resilience was again on display as the team gritted out a 16-13 overtime victory over their AFC East rivals from Miami to advance to Super Bowl LII.
Weather was definitely a factor in Derek Carr's return as the wind wreaked havoc on both team's kicking games.
"It was crazy out there," Carr said. "You almost had to aim 5 yards to the right or left to try to complete a pass."
Both teams suffered key special teams errors, with the most costly coming for Miami in overtime as their second muffed punt of the game led to Adam Vinatieri's game winner.
"It was impacting both sides out there," Vinatieri said. "I thought I had it there to end regulation, but the wind just dragged the kick right."
For the Dolphins, this is the second consecutive season that their special teams unit has failed them to end their season. 
A year ago, the typically steady Justin Tucker pushed a field goal and extra point in their divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Jatavis Brown was again dominant racking up 2.5 sacks and eight tackles on a day that saw both sides opt to dink-and-dunk their way down the field in an effort to avoid the other team's elite defenses.
"We are thrilled man," Brown said. "I said this earlier in the season, that I hoped we played them again. All our games are like Steelers vs Ravens from a few years back - it's a good, hard-hitting rivalry."
Teddy Bridgewater, in the losing effort, was 21-25 with 226 yards passing. His only TD came on a 62 yard dart to Keenan Allen late in the 4th quarter which helped get the game to OT.
"I was on cloud nine when Keenan took that to the house," Bridgewater said. "I really thought we had a chance to finish it off there. Hats off to the Jets though. Let's see if they can make it three AFC East Super Bowl champs in a row."
New York will face the winner of tonight's New Orleans and Tampa Bay matchup for the right to call themselves Super Bowl champions in Minnesota. 

2017 Season: Divisional Round Recap

Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

BUFFALO                   0        7          3         0          10

NEW YORK               0        14        0         7          21

NEW YORK – The talk all week of a potential Derek Carr versus Aaron Rodgers showdown was just that: Talk.
Derek Carr and the much debated "game time decision" ended without the All Pro signal caller taking the field. His backup, Nate Peterman, turned out to be the best quarterback on the field as he bested future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers 21-10 to earn his Jets a place in the AFC Championship Game.
Rodgers had a nightmare game with three interceptions and a crushing late first half fumble that led to an 83-yard scoop-and-score by linebacker Jatavis Brown.
"That was a huge swing to end the first half," Todd Bowles said. It was looking like we'd be down 10-7 at the very least going into intermission."
Peterman, to his credit, took limited risks and made a pair of clutch throws for scores to send the home crowd into a frenzy as the team now sits one win away from a Super Bowl berth.
"Just a cool experience," Peterman said. "Last year I'm at college and here I am one game away from the biggest sporting event in the world."
Although quarterbacks typically grab the headlines, the player of the game was Brown. In his return from a late season injury, the 2nd year man had a sack, interception, and the fumble recovery for a score.
The Jets will next look to settle the score with their rivals from Miami in the AFC Championship Game. The teams split their meeting this year.

Miami Dolphins vs Houston Texans

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

MIAMI                       0         10       14       3          27

HOUSTON                  0         6         0         0          6

HOUSTON – During their recent run of success over the past three seasons, the Miami Dolphins have been a predictably sound squad in the NFL's postseason. That gameplan was finally forced to change in Houston as JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney made it impossible for Latavius Murray to run the ball.
Enter Teddy Bridgewater who had arguably the best game of his career with a 14-20, 314 yard passing day which included a pair of long touchdowns to Keenan Allen and Jordan Matthews to lead his team to a 27-6 victory. 
With his team trailing 6-0 late in the first half, Bridgewater hit Allen on a double move to beat Jonathan Joseph for a 62-yard strike.
After a quick 3-and-out, Justin Tucker closed the first half with a 62-yard, dead center, field goal to put the score at 10-6 at intermission. The Dolphins never looked back.
"It was a full team effort out there today," Bridgewater said. "Our defense is build for January football. Tonight our offense had to give them something to work with so they could keep the pressure up."
Khalil Mack picked up another 2.0 sacks to go with his pair from last week's win in Denver. 
The win sets up an all AFC East AFC Championship Game as Miami will make their third straight road trip up north to take on the #1 seeded Jets.

2017 Season: Wild Card Recap

Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

BUFFALO                   3        10        3        6           22

CINCINNATI             0         0         3        14         17

CINCINNATI – In a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game, the Buffalo Bills came out again victorious over Marvin Lewis and his Cincinnati Bengals 22-17 Saturday night.
The Bills controlled the game throughout, sacking Andy Dalton six times on the day.
However, a late surge by the Bengals left Sean McDermott's squad with a nervy ending as the team needed to recover a late onside kick to advance to next week's showdown with the New York Jets. 
"I'm not happy with how we ended today," McDermott said. "But we are advancing. We have to play cleaner to beat the Jets next week."
Adrian Amos was the star of the day for Buffalo with four tackles and a 13-yard 'pick-six' just before halftime.
Buffalo struggled mightily against the Jets in their two previous meetings this season, but with QB Derek Carr a game time decision, it's anyone's guess who'll move on to the AFC Championship Game. 

Miami Dolphins vs Denver Broncos

                                     1         2         3         4          FINAL

MIAMI                       7         17       7         16        47

DENVER                    0         7         3         0          10

DENVER – The Miami Dolphins dismantled Drew Brees and the Denver Broncos 47-10 en route to their third consecutive trip to the AFC Divisional Round where they will face the #2 seeded Houston Texans next weekend.
Brees was harassed all game long while being sacked eight times (twice by Miami's Khalil Mack).
Mack, the MVP of Super Bowl 50, always seems to shine his brightest on the postseason stage.
"This is why you play," Mack said. "It's so great to get another playoff win after last year's loss. We just gotta keep grinding."
Runningbacks Latavius Murray and Tarik Cohen both had monster games for the Dolphins.
Murray rushed for 132 yards on only 14 carries with a TD.
Cohen racked up 131 receiving yards on four receptions with a pair of touchdowns.
"Coming from North Carolina A&T to be here, winning a playoff game, it's surreal," Cohen said. "I'm glad they (Miami) grabbed me off the Bears practice squad."
Miami will now travel to Houston to face Deshaun Watson and the strong Houston Texans with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line.

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.