Tag: AFC East

Top 5 offensive line performances of Week 17: 100 years after the first choppy steps

One hundred years after the first choppy steps, we take a look at the best offensive line performances from Week 17 in the NFL.

And just like that, the NFL regular season is over. It went quickly, with the Sunday night finale providing some of the best football yet—and Skittles! The lull of a booth review and subsequent guessing-chatter reminding us all it’s been 100 years…and that poor clock management is one constant “mode” that can really do damage.

But what a season! And though there will be plenty to look back on in NFL 2019, few things—super analytical or just observational—will really be as enjoyable as this factoid:

Wonderful times, indeed. And with that, for the last time from down in the trenches, here were the best offensive line performances I saw from Week 17. (A special thank you to everyone who has followed along, and a Happy New Year!)

5. Dallas Cowboys

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

So, the Cowboys won—impressively—in Week 17. But it was against the Redskins, and it didn’t matter. That’s just the NFC East in 2019. Jerry’s group will go down as one of the more underachieving teams in NFL lore, a collective bunch loaded with talent on both sides of the ball that was overshadowed by head coach rumors/headlines and punts in odd situations. (I don’t think Zeke jumped in the Salvation Army bucket once! What gives, man?!)

Anyway…

Setting the controversy piñata aside for a moment, let’s give the Cowboys’ offensive line its rightful applause. A standing-O! All season, the front was an above-average group, with plenty of positives to build on for next season’s run. And the sturdy efforts were on full display Sunday. Other than a few penalties and a sack/forced fumble at the doing of Matt Ioannidis, the Cowboys’ O-line opened the running lanes for Elliott’s big day on the ground, while giving Dak Prescott enough time in the pocket to simply wait for the defense to break down in coverage.

Fifth-best trench of Week 17: Travis Frederick, Joe Looney, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, and Cameron Fleming.

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Top 5 NFL offensive lines of Week 16 – Holiday edition: AFC-NFC surprises, and the gift that keeps on giving

From the Ravens and Patriots to the Eagles and Cardinals, here were the top 5 offensive line performances for a wild NFL Week 16.

Twas the days before Christmas, when all through the NFL, Week 16 was pretty entertaining, even that from bowler Le’Veon Bell.

The divisions clashed, with playoff hopes dancing in their head, a few tickets were punched, while Cleveland is mathematically dead.

The NFC East is still hard to explain, Philly’s kind of soaring and Dallas needs a plane. And the NFC South with its Thomas and Brees, Jamies was busy gifting, I wondered what coverage he actually sees.

When all of a sudden, there rose such a clatter, the Chargers were booed and hey Seattle, what’s the matter. And who’s that, over there, with the coach who’s not very chatty?

Why that’s just an AFC East powerhouse, once famously on to Cincinnati.

So happy holidays to all and enough with these rhymes, from down in the trenches of Week 16, let’s check out my favorite lines.

5. New York Giants

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

There’s not a ton of feel-good breakdowns for this Giants team, but the youthful surge on Sunday had to make the fan base and organization breathe a tiny sigh of Rolaids-infused air.

Daniel Jones was lights out (on?), tying a rookie QB record with five touchdown passes. (He partied with Eli afterward, which is special in its own right.) Saquon Barkley’s day? Wow. Wow. Wow! Just your not-so-typical 22 carries for 189 yards and one touchdown. And speaking of keeping an eye edge rushers, the Giants’ offensive line put together one of the better efforts I’ve seen from them (the line is still an issue for the team, but still,  impressive on this day).

True, the Redskins’ defense isn’t a tormenting force, ranked 11th against the pass, 29th against the run. But there weren’t many moments where it seemed like the run block was being pushed backward, and they handled the Redskins’ blitz, too. The substantial protection gave Jones time to make his reads, including during the final onslaught, with a strong pick-up as the game-winning touchdown unfolded.

 

John Halapio, Will Hernandez, Kevin Zeitler, Nate Solder, and Mike Remmers: Overall, it was a job well done. Next up…yep: Blocking Chase Young.

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PODCAST: Bills turn attention to Wild Card weekend post-Patriots loss

Buffalo Bills podcast following 24-17 loss to New England Patriots.

The Bills couldn’t get the job done against the New England Patriots. Poor execution on the offensive side, with an inability to extend drives, led to exhaustion and sloppy play on the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots experienced one of their better games of this back half of the season against Buffalo on both sides of the ball.

For the Bills, it’s not the end of the world, fortunately. While the idea that they were in the race for a home playoff game in Week 16 was enticing, they’re still in the postseason, and they still have a shot. The only ways that Buffalo would see the Patriots again is one of two situations.

First, both the Bills and whoever is the sixth seed win. Lowest remaining seed goes on to face Baltimore, and Buffalo would end up facing New England in the divisional round. Secondly, if both Buffalo or New England win out, and they meet in the AFC Championship.

That all sounds good and well, but one game at a time has to be the mentality, and right now, despite a meaningless Week 17 game against the Jets, Buffalo is slated to face either Houston or Kansas City come Wild Card Weekend.

Billswire podcast host ost Matt Johnson recaps the Bills-Patriots game and looks ahead to Wild Card weekend:

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Jets’ 2020 schedule locked in following win over Steelers

Next season, the Jets will host the Browns and travel to the Colts as their 2020 opponents were officially finalized.

With the Jets 16-10 upset victory over the Steelers on Sunday, their 2020 schedule is officially locked in.

Coming into Sunday’s matchup, everything was set in stone except two games for Gang Green. The AFC East will play the AFC and NFC West during the 2020 season. Also, the Jets will play six division games.

New York is scheduled to play the same division place-holder in the AFC North and South. With the Browns (6-9) losing to the Ravens on Sunday, they officially clinched a third-place finish. The Jets will host Cleveland for the second consecutive season at MetLife Stadium.

In the South, the Jets will travel to Indianapolis for the other game that was up in the air. The Colts (7-8) clinched a third-place finish, regardless of the results of next week’s division matchups.

With next year’s schedule set, the Jets will be playing five playoff teams in 2020. It’s not going to get easier for Adam Gase’s club next season, but a lot can change between now and opening day.

How to Watch Bills vs. Patriots, NFL Week 16 Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Bills at Patriots Live Online with fuboTV.

Both the Buffalo Bills (10-4) and New England Patriots (11-3) will be representing the AFC East in the postseason this year. However, their clash on Saturday will help decide which team will win the division and which team will have to go through the playoffs as a wild card team. And with both teams boasting elite defenses this season, playoff intensity will be plentiful.

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Bills vs. Patriots

  • When: Saturday, December 21
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: NFL Network
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

The Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth in their last game, going on the road and beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a dramatic 17-10 win. That victory was Buffalo’s fourth in five games and was the product largely of a defense that intercepted Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges four times. Buffalo only managed 261 yards of total offense. 

New England bounced back from two straight losses by throttling the lowly Cincinnati Bengals by a 34-13 margin. Tom Brady only had 128 passing yards, but he did throw two touchdown passes, as the Patriots ran away with the game late. Bill Belichick’s team also had four interceptions last week against Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.

The Patriots defeated the Bills earlier this season in a tight 16-10 game in Buffalo. Bills quarterback Josh Allen missed the end of the game due to injury, making the Bills rely on backup Matt Barkley during the game’s final possessions. A win in either of their final two games would be enough to earn the Patriots the AFC East crown, while two Bills wins and two Patriots losses would give the division to Buffalo.

Prediction: Analyst Ryan Brandenburger has been on fire the last few weeks and is coming in with a hot take, taking the Bills in this game at Foxborough to knock New England off their pedestal. Score: Bills 17 New England 14

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WATCH: Patriots WR Edelman listed as ‘questionable,’ but expected to play vs. Bills

Julian Edelman is officially listed as questionable as the Patriots play to clinch the AFC East Sunday.

Julian Edelman is officially listed as questionable as the Patriots play to clinch the AFC East Sunday.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday that the wide receiver is expected to play, adding that the 33-year-old is “Probably less banged up,” now than he was versus the Bengals Sunday.

Edelman averages just shy of 73 receiving yards per game, but versus Cincy, he only had 9 yards on two receptions.

Leading into that game, Edelman was on the injury report for both a knee and shoulder injury.

Mike Giardi, also of NFL Network, reported earlier this week that leading into last Sunday, Edelman had received treatment as often as three times per day and that some of the veteran receiver’s teammates wondered postgame if playing Edelman versus the Bengals was a smart decision.

Regardless of the rough outing last week, it sounds like the Pats plan to make use of Edelman in a pivotal game versus the Bills this week.

After that, there is less riding on New England’s regular-season finale versus the Dolphins.

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Patriots WR Edelman listed as ‘questionable,’ but expected to play versus Bills (Patriotswire)

Julian Edelman is officially listed as questionable as the Patriots play to clinch the AFC East Sunday.

Julian Edelman is officially listed as questionable as the Patriots play to clinch the AFC East Sunday.

Bills playoff picture: AFC East title up for grabs

Buffalo Bills, AFC East, and the New England Patriots.

The Bills are postseason bound, but will they do so as AFC East champions?

If so, it’ll be the first time since 1995 the Bills have taken the crown.

Regardless, following their 17-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, the Bills will be in the dance. In order to win the AFC East, here’s what must happen over the final two weeks of the NFL season.

First, the Bills have to win against the Patriots on Saturday.

Earlier this year, the Pats beat the Bills 16-10 and many are expecting another low-scoring affair. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen went out of the game in that one and did not finish it.

Allen will look to complete this game, and do so with a win. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

But wait, there’s more. The Miami Dolphins face the Patriots in the season finale. Could the Dolphins play spoiler? They’ll need to for the Bills. With a win this week by the Bills, Buffalo still needs New England to lose in Week 17 to the Dolphins to wrap up the AFC East title.

In addition, the Bills will then have to beat the Jets in their own season finale at New Era Field.

While Miami is struggling this season, there’s one thing hang your hat on. If there’s any team in the AFC East that’s given the Pats a fit during their dynasty, it’s been the Dolphins.

If there’s one thing to be disappointed about: The Patriots have won 10-straight AFC East titles.

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PODCAST: Bills clinch playoff berth; can they still win AFC East?

In a defensive outing between both teams, the Buffalo Bills offense did just enough to put them over the edge of victory to send them back to the post season for the second time in three years. It was a testament to coaching, discipline, and a …

In a defensive outing between both teams, the Buffalo Bills offense did just enough to put them over the edge of victory to send them back to the post season for the second time in three years. It was a testament to coaching, discipline, and a winning culture that Sean McDermott has established in Buffalo.

The Bills sit at 10-4, are officially in, and could very easily loosen up a bit, but there is still another opportunity at stake, and that is to win the AFC East title for the first time in over 20 years. The chances are slim, but it is still a very reasonable feat, as they head to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots next Saturday. The Bills need to win out, and the Patriots need to lose not only to the Bills, but the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 as well.

Buffalo and Pittsburgh brought their hard nosed defenses to the table last night for Sunday Night Football, and both teams excelled in stopping drives, forcing punts and turnovers, and keeping the game close for their offenses. It was the Bills, fortunately, that made it all happen, behind Josh Allen, John Brown, and even tight end Tyler Kroft.

It was a great win for a team, in the national spotlight, that proved many doubters wrong in the process.

Podcast host Matt Johnson recaps the big Week 15 win, and a look ahead.

 

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