2017 Season - Week #17

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

                                     1         2         3         4         FINAL

NEW ENGLAND      0         0          0         7          7

MIAMI                       3         14        3         6         26

MIAMI – With their division title hopes out of their personal control, the Miami Dolphins (14-2, 4-2 AFC East) took care of the staggering New England Patriots (8-8, 1-5) 26-7 Sunday morning.
In a game that was never in doubt, 3GML League MVP front-runner Chris Ivory paced the way for the balanced Miami attack that saw the team post 167 rushing yards and 168 yards through the air.
"This is how we've done it all year," Ivory said. "We would love to win the division, but we put ourselves in this spot. We are just happy to be in the playoffs be it as the #5 seed or the #1 seed."
Later tonight, in the 'Must See' flexed matchup pitting the 14-2 Buffalo Bills against the 9-6, and playoff hungry New York Jets, the Dolphins will be rooting for a New York victory to hand the Dolphins their second consecutive division title.

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

Live Forum Stream of NFL's Week #17 Sunday Night telecast to begin shortly.

@3GML-Moderator (8:27pm ET) - Welcome to Near the NFL's Live Stream of tonights epic clash between the visiting Buffalo Bills (14-2, 3-2 AFC East) and the New York Jets (9-6, 3-2). Storylines abound in this matchup as the AFC's #1 team (Buffalo) fired their head coach (Rex Ryan) earlier in the week. Anthony Lynn will be coaching his first ever game with a chance (based on today's final scores) to lock up the AFC East title and a first round playoff bye. The New York Jets will need to win to get in (based on Jacksonville's come-from-behind victory this afternoon). Beat writers from each market as well as former (and current) NFL greats are welcome to join in the fun as we watch this epic clash!

@Scoops.Caligiri (8:29pm ET) - Been waiting for this one all year - my 21st season covering the NFL and haven't felt this excited for a Week #17 game in a long time.

@JimKelly1212 (8:30pm ET) - Bring it home #12 - Rodgers for MVP!

@notthefakesvp (8:31pm ET) - Lynn declines penalty after block-in-the-back on kick return. Bold strategy Cotton...

@AdamSandler (8:33pm ET) - Jimmy for Prison

@RealPACMAN24 (8:33pm ET) - boy sucks for real man

@3GML-Moderator (8:34pm ET) - On first play from scrimmage, Jimmy Garoppolo pass intercepted by Clay Matthews and returned for touchdown. Buffalo leads 7-0.

@Scoops.Caligiri (8:45pm ET) - Both defenses settling in now. Expect a hard-hitting affair.

@RealJoeNamath (8:47pm ET) - Long game ahead of us. Jets are a slow-starting team - remember that folks.

@3GML-Moderator (8:49pm ET) - Jets kicker Nick Folk connects from 48-yards out to cut deficit to four. Bills lead 7-3.

@nbsmallbear (8:53pm ET) - Boy got rocked! That's my big brother yo!!

@AdamSandler (8:53pm ET) - Joey for President

@Scoops.Caligiri (8:54pm ET) - That's one of the hardest hits of the year! DE Joey Bosa rocks HB Todd Gurley for the fumble leading to DT Aaron Donald's scoop & score! crazy!!

@3GML-Moderator (8:55pm ET) - Jets take lead 10-7 after Joey Bosa's hit on Todd Gurley leads to 47-yard TD return by Aaron Donald.

@3GML-Moderator (9:01pm ET) - Aaron Rodgers leads his team back after Gurley's error, picking up a Dan Carpenter field goal. Game tied at 10-10 to end the first quarter.

@nyjets (9:22pm ET) - The calm before the storm - we like these defensive battles. @JimKelly1212 is getting nervous.

@star_island25 (9:25pm ET) - Go for it man! We want that Bye!

@KingJames (9:25pm ET) - David Johnson looking like Earl Campbell boy. Guts on that 4th-and-1 Todd Bowles.

@3GML-Moderator (9:27pm ET) - Jets take 17-10 lead after David Johnson trucks three Bills defenders on his way to the end zone after head coach Todd Bowles goes for it on 4th-and-1 near mid-field.

@RealJoeNamath (9:32pm ET) - I know we're up, but not picking that ball up may come back to  haunt us - could have ended this one right there.

@Scoops.Caligiri (9:32pm ET) - Aaron Donald nearly misses scooping up his second fumble recovery after Rodgers is blind-sided by Dante Fowler Jr. The ball ended up 30-yards behind the line of scrimmage, with neither team getting a grip on the ball before TJ Lang saved his squad by falling on the ball.

@Earl_Thomas (9:35pm ET) - 68-yard punt. sure

@3GML-Moderator (9:44pm ET) - After forcing another fumble to stall a Buffalo drive (Myles Jack), Jets unable to convert turnover into points. Dan Carpenter ends half attempting desperation 65-yard field goal attempt and miraculously converts to cut the Jets lead to 17-13 at the half.

@jtuck9 (9:45pm ET) - Great kick there. Carp has been clutch all year. Congrats on the NFL record.

@MileyCyrus (9:59pm ET) - The green team is ahead of the blue team

@Scoops.Caligiri (10:10pm ET) - This writer's halftime thoughts: If Jets pick up that loose ball and turn it into 6, Bills pull Rodgers and Gurley and play for next week. Now, with game close, they will go all in for the division crown. Compelling stuff here.

@JimIrsay (10:29pm ET) - Game really getting nervy now here in the 3rd. Congrats to Lockett on breaking Gurley's record of 150 (previously held by our own #88 Marvin Harrison!)

@3GML-Moderator (10:30pm ET) - WR Tyler Lockett breaks teammate Todd Gurley's record of 150 catches in a season in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Both teams now settling in, not willing to make the next mistake as the score remains 17-13 in favor of the Jets.

@3GML-Moderator (10:39pm ET) - A quick 3-and-out with great field position leads to another Nick Folk field goal for the Jets who push their lead to 20-13 with 3:18 left in the 3rd.

@notthefakesvp (10:44pm ET) - That gamblin' man Lynn at it again. We may need to invite him on the late SC if they end up winning this thing.

@Scoops.Caligiri (10:45pm ET) - I like the Bills' gamble on 4th-and-short there even at their own 34-yard line. They've been doing this all year. Rodgers picks it up to keep drive alive.

@AdamSandler (10:52pm ET) - Anybody else ready to puke? Playoffs please...

@3GML-Moderator (10:56pm ET) - Score is 20-13 at the end of the 3rd with the Bills methodically driving into New York territory. Anyone's ballgame now.

@buffalobills (11:01pm ET) - It's that man again! TG30 back!!

@RealPACMAN24 (11:02pm ET) - corners not wanting to tackle - won't see that in Cincy boy

@3GML-Moderator (11:02pm ET) - Todd Gurley, after a fumble earlier in the game, makes emphatic statement with 7:47 remaining with his 28-yard TD reception to tie the game up at 20-20.

@RealJoeNamath (11:17pm ET) - We just aren't ready for primetime. Not a time to fake it there Todd. Trust your D.

@AdamSandler (11:17pm ET) - Sad Panda

@Scoops.Caligiri (11:18pm ET) - Questionable decision there by Bowles to fake the punt deep in his own territory. Bills have easy field goal in the bag to take their first lead since early in the game.

@3GML-Moderator (11:30pm ET) - Carpenter converts again to put the Bills back on top 23-20 after John Kuhn fails to pick up 3-yards on a fake punt attempt. 6:38 to go.

@AdamSandler (11:37pm ET) - Jimmy for Prison

@star_island25 (11:38pm ET) - sucks

@Scoops.Caligiri (11:40pm ET) - Garoppolo crumbling before our eyes - Attempt to hurt his former team in Miami (not a serious thought, but he's killing Miami's chances at a bye nonetheless).

@3GML-Moderator (11:49pm ET) - After New York's defense again stands tall, team will have the ball at their own 14-yard line, down 23-20, with 1:14 to play (no timeouts left) in a chance to extend their season.

@Scoops.Caligiri (11:52pm ET) - Jimmy's crossroads moment: Lead team to score, hero. Fail to do so, those Tony Romo rumors prove to be true and your days in New York are over.

@MileyCyrus (11:55pm ET) - The blue man hurt the green man. Mean

@3GML-Moderator (11:55pm ET) - Braxton Miller hit hard on 3rd down with team looking to get into field goal range by Luke Kuechly. Injury timeout. 4th-and-season after delay.

@3GML-Moderator (12:01am ET) - Jimmy Garoppolo unable to find open receiver as 4th down pass sails in-and-out of the hands of Coby Fleener. Bills win 23-20 to take home the AFC East crown. Jets will stay home for the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers finishes with 254 yards passing and a TD. Jimmy Garoppolo finishes a brutal 10-21 for 60 yards with 2 INT. Bills win despite rushing for only 36 yards. Tyler Lockett is player of the game with 10 catches for 128 yards.

@Scoops.Caligiri (12:03am ET) - Thrilling for Buffalo fans, soul-crushing for Jets faithful. The AFC East has been the best league in football this season and it would have been great to see this game again in the AFC Championship round. Hats off to Anthony Lynn picking up the W. Jimmy Garoppolo beside himself emotionally as he trudges off the field. Defense played their hearts out for the Jets. Kam Chancellor looks very upset.

(Potential) Off-Season Trades Continued...

BUFFALO BILLS

2017 1^st Round Pick (Cleveland - #1) 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 

2017 1^st Round Pick (Oakland)

2017 1^st Round Pick (Buffalo via Oakland)

2017 3^rd Round Pick (Oakland)

MLB Darron Lee

OAKLAND RAIDERS

2017 1^st Round Pick (LA via Tennessee - #5)

2017 4^th Round Pick (Tennessee)

CB Joe Haden 

NEW YORK JETS

2017 1st Round Pick (Jacksonville - #4)
2017 1st Round Pick (Tennessee - #18)
2017 2^nd Round Pick (Oakland)

2017 3^rd Round Pick (LA via Tennessee)

TENNESSEE TITANS

MLB Luke Kuechly

Additional Deals...

BUFFALO BILLS
LB Su'a Cravens
2017 2nd Round Pick (Washington)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS
LB Clay Matthews
2017 5th Round Pick

- - - - -

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
WR Tyrell Williams
2017 3rd Round Pick (Miami via Chicago)

MIAMI DOLPHINS
MLB Reggie Ragland
2017 6th Round Pick (San Diego)

- - - - -

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
WR DeVante Parker
2017 5th Round Pick (Miami)

DT Christian Covington

NEW YORK JETS
2017 2nd Round Pick (Indianapolis)

MIAMI DOLPHINS
WR Phillip Dorsett

- - - - -

NEW YORK JETS
QB Drew Brees

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
CB Sean Smith

- - - - -

NEW YORK JETS
2017 2nd Round Pick (NYJ via MIA)

MIAMI DOLPHINS
2017 3rd Round Pick (LA via NYJ)
2017 4th Round Pick (CHI via NYJ)

We'll keep you posted as more details emerge.

Week #17 AFC East Preview

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
The Patriots fell flat in their effort to keep their playoff dreams alive against the New York Jets last week. Now, facing a team from Miami which has won their past four meetings (including last  year's AFC Championship Game) against New England, Bill Belichick and company are all but playing for pride when they face last year's Super Bowl Champions.
"You get up for any game in the NFL," Belichick said. "We haven't done well versus Miami lately."
Last week in Buffalo, Miami proved they still have championship aspirations as they took care of the Bills late.
They will need to avoid a letdown when they take on a wounded Tom Brady in South Beach.
"We all know what is at stake," Bobby Wagner said. "We are fortunate to play New England this week. They are champions and you can never overlook this squad."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Adam Gase to let his team "RUN Miami." As the team threw only four (yes four!) passes last week in their win against the Bills, the unconventional coach is fine playing Georgia Tech football in the NFL. 
"Stats and trends are for fantasy football players," Gase said. "Don't draft Jacoby Brissett if you want to win $50 from your buddies in a fantasy league. But we'll take him to help us make checks at the line and to hit a deep shot with the game on the line."
PREDICTION: Dolphins win 33-31

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
Each time staffers at 3GML's main studios discuss the upcoming Bills/Jets tilt, memories come up of the classic 2007 game between the then-undefeated New England Patriots and the Wild Card playoff-bound New York Giants.
Although the Giants ended up losing that game 38-35 (keeping the Patriots undefeated regular season alive), the tough loss propelled the Giants towards a Super Bowl title run (ending with their victory over the 18-0 Patriots).
Although the stakes are different and playoff positions are not fully finalized, this feels like a game that may be replayed in January regardless to the outcome Saturday.
If the Bills win, they most likely lock up the AFC's #1 seed and could see the hot Jets (if they win tie-breakers) in the Divisional Round.
If the Jets win, Buffalo may end up as the #5 seed which would set up a potentially epic rematch between the Jets and Bills in the AFC Championship Game. 
Now the Dolphins, Chiefs, Bengals, and Texans may have a lot to say about all of this, but we can all dream right?
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A classic to unfold. The AFC East has given us the NFL's best games and storylines all year. The earlier matchup between these two gave us a 19-point comeback after a miraculous 4th-and-19 prayer. Last week the Bills were edged out by the Miami Dolphins in a back and forth affair after the Jets, just a week earlier, out-slugged the same Miami squad in a compelling street fight.
PREDICTION: Bills win 38-35 (same as NE/NYG in 2007)

Breaking: Bills Fire Head Coach Rex Ryan

ORCHARD PARK (AP) - The Buffalo Bills (13-2) have abruptly fired head coach Rex Ryan following the team's 30-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins (13-2) less than a week ago.
Ryan called the loss "as painful of a loss as I can remember," admitting multiple coaching "mistakes."
The Bills also fired defensive coordinator, and Rex's brother, Rob.
Buffalo enters Week #17 with the NFL's #1 rated defense.
Many NFL Insiders have attributed this ranking to Aaron Rodgers' ability to efficiently manage the clock to protect the defense.
Defensive leaders Geno Atkins and Luke Kuechly have repeatedly called the defense a 'player-run' unit, often hinting as discord between the All-Pros and the overly-emotional Rob Ryan.
Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn will serve as interim head coach for the Week #17 matchup against the hard-charging New York Jets (10-6) and into the playoffs.
Sources told 3GML Insiders that Ryan had lost support of the locker room in recent weeks, despite the team's ability to pull games out late.
The team found out about Tuesday's move via Twitter as no formal announcement was made internally.
"There were too many cooks in the kitchen. Guys were pissed," one player told 3GML. "He lost the offense."
Coaching changes are not rare during these late stages of the NFL season, but the moves are typically reserved for teams with losing records and not a team with a good chance to still earn the AFC's #1 seed.
"This is a statement for the entire organization," one source told 3GML. "Ryan and the team had soured and the team was winning despite their coach."
There had been rumors that the Bills, under Ryan, were considering 'punting' the Week #17 game to focus on the playoffs (settling for the #5 seed in the AFC).
Under Lynn and with the competitive input of Aaron Rodgers, many expect the Bills to come out firing on Saturday with a chance to earn the AFC East crown and to potentially knock the Jets out of the playoffs.

2016 Season - Week #16

New York Jets @ New England

                                     1         2         3         4         FINAL

NEW YORK               0        21        7         7         35 

NEW ENGLAND      3         7          3         0         13

FOXBORO – In a game the team had to have, the New York Jets (9-6, 3-2 AFC East) sprinted past the New England Patriots (8-7, 1-4) 35-13 Sunday morning in Boston.
Trailing 3-0 early in the 2nd, the game seemed destined to become yet another close Jets game.
But, facing an obvious punting situation deep in their own territory, head coach Todd Bowles dialed up a perfectly timed fake punt that caught Bill Belichick and his team flat-footed.
"They made a play there," Belichick said. "It hurt us."
Punter Brandon Fields lobbed a wobbly ball 30-yards downfield to a streaking Jalen Ramsey who made Julian Edelman miss on his way for a 70-yard TD.
"I love coach's confidence in our defense," Ramsey said. "That fake was the spark we needed man."
Later in the eventual 21-point 2nd quarter, Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dante Fowler Jr. picked up a Brady fumble and raced 65-yards for a TD of his own.
The Jets never looked back.
"We are hungry," Fowler said. "This team ain't going out easy I'll tell you that."
David Johnson did his best to pound the rock and to grind the clock during his impressive 12-carry, 109 yard performance.
New York, although currently sitting comfortably in the AFC's 6th position, still needs a win next week at home against Buffalo to lock up a playoff berth. 
Although the Jets hold tie-breakers over the Patriots, Jaguars, and Steelers, a multi-team tie at 9-7 that includes San Diego and/or Houston could be problematic for the Jets (although that scenario is unlikely).

Miami @ Buffalo

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

MIAMI                       0        20        0       10        30

BUFFALO                 10        0         0        14        24

BUFFALO – In easily one of the most anticipated match-ups of this amazing NFL season, the Buffalo Bills (13-2, 3-2 AFC East) fell to their hated rivals from Miami (13-2, 3-2) 30-24.
In a game that swung back-and-forth with both teams making uncharacteristic mistakes at inopportune moments, the Miami ground game and turnover-creating ability allowed their team to come out on top.
"This AFC East is brutal," Chris Ivory said. "Just like last week, both teams are very strong. If we played a 5th quarter you might just be over there talking to them about their victory."
The Dolphins defense harassed Aaron Rodgers all day forcing five turnovers (including four interceptions) while yielding only 173 yards through the air.
"They mixed it up well," Rodgers said. "But I made some bad throws - we can get it corrected."
With the Miami defense showing up to play, it was up to their offensive line to get back to the team's DNA of running the football.
As Jacoby Brissett seemed nervous and incapable of pushing the ball downfield, Adam Gase essentially scrapped his passing play sheets and gave the ball to Ivory and Thomas Rawls.
The duo didn't disappoint.
The Miami rushing attack finished with 309 rushing yards against the NFL's #1 rated defense (based on yards allowed).
"It felt great," Rawls said. "Our o-line deserves all the credit. It was great to have LJ (Lane Johnson) back out there for sure."
Rawls, who finished the game with, 154 yards rushing on only 13 carries, put the team ahead for good with his 77-yard TD run with just over 2-minutes remaining.
Ivory shouldered much of the heavy lifting with his 21-carry, 134 yard, and 2 TD performance.
Much-maligned corner Bashaud Breeland, newly moved to the slot, finished with two INTs and six tackles.
The Dolphins will head home to take on the Patriots with a chance to win their second consecutive AFC East crown (but only if the Jets defeat the Bills along with a Miami win over NE). 

3GML Pro Bowl Tracker (NFL)

Below are the 3GML players voted in as 2016 NFL Pro Bowlers!!

Buffalo Bills (7)
QB Aaron Rodgers
WR Amari Cooper
C Rod Hudson
G TJ Lang
DT Geno Atkins
MLB Luke Kuechly
CB Casey Hayward

Miami Dolphins (5)
G David DeCastro
DE Khalil Mack
MLB Bobby Wagner
K Justin Tucker
RET Cordarrelle Patterson

New York Jets (8)
RB David Johnson
C Travis Frederick
G Marshal Yanda
G Zack Martin
G Brandon Scherff
DT Aaron Donald
DE Vic Beasley
RET Tyreek Hill

Week #16 AFC East Preview

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
All season long, after their emphatic victory over the Miami Dolphins (12-2, 2-2 AFC East) in Week #7, the road to the AFC's #1 seed always seemed to go through New Era Field (formerly Ralph Wilson Stadium). 
The Buffalo Bills (13-1, 3-1) have had their share of close games of late, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers sees the narrow victories as a sign of what's to come.
"In the playoffs, nothing is easy," Rodgers said. "Sure, we'd love to win every game by double-digits, but this team is proving they can win many different ways."
The Dolphins have played 2016 with a bullseye squarely pointing at their backs after last year's Cinderella Super Bowl run.
The team, for the most part, has answered the call. But their pair of AFC East blemishes in losses to Buffalo and last week versus the Jets have kept the team from looking too far ahead.
"We are still a young team, regardless how last year finished," Bobby Wagner said. "Last week (against New York) was a great game for us to be a part of despite the final score. We are the fifth best team in the AFC at this point and we can't take any games off."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The weather factor. Aaron Rodgers has proven he can handle any and all conditions as he's willed his team towards consecutive victories in the snow. If Mother Nature intervenes on Saturday, expect the veteran signal-caller to have the upper hand against his rookie counterpart Jacoby Brissett.
PREDICTION: Bills win 24-16

New York Jets @ New England Patriots
All the so-called smart-money in Las Vegas is now being thrown at the New York Jets (8-6, 2-2 AFC East) as this year's 'sneaky' Super Bowl choice.
Sitting in last place in their division, the New England Patriots (8-6, 2-2) are sitting in unfamiliar territory as the league's forgotten team.
"This happened to us last year as well," Tom Brady said. "I was sitting on the sidelines with the injury and everybody counted our guys out. Then we ended up 2-plays away from reaching the Super Bowl - count us out if you'd like."
With their five consecutive victories, the Jets have started a run similar to their rivals from Miami who won seven of their last eight a year ago before winning Super Bowl 50.
Despite all the hype and talk surrounding the team, Jets players want none of the championship talk.
"How many games have we lost at the one-yard line?" Kam Chancellor said. "This team has no business getting ahead of ourselves - we gotta go at it one game at a time."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Tom Brady is old. Tom Brady is washed up. Tom Brady can't do it anymore. Right?
PREDICTION: Patriots win 28-27