Tag: Jets

NFL standings 2024: Bills were only AFC East team to win in Week 7

The Bills are already at five wins while no other team in the AFC East has a third win yet.

The Buffalo Bills added another game to their lead in the AFC East on Sunday.

With a 34-10 blowout of the Tennessee Titans, the Bills improved to 5-2 on the year. No other team in the division has even three wins yet. While the Miami Dolphins fell to 2-4 on the year with a 16-10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts, they’re still second place in the division after the New York Jets lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, 37-15.

The other team in the division, the New England Patriots, dropped a sixth straight game, losing 32-16 in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here’s what the AFC East standings look like with 11 weeks left to play:

  1. Buffalo Bills: 5-2 (2-0 vs. division, 4-2 vs. AFC)
  2. Miami Dolphins: 2-4 (1-1 vs. division, 2-2 vs. AFC)
  3. New York Jets: 2-5 (1-1 vs. division, 2-4 vs. AFC)
  4. New England Patriots: 1-6 (0-2 vs. division, 1-4 vs. AFC)

The Jets and Patriots will meet in Week 8, while the Bills will travel to face the Seattle Seahawks and the Dolphins will host the Arizona Cardinals.

With a pair of Monday Night Football games on the way, the three wild card berths in the AFC currently belong to the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens, 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers, and 4-3 Indianapolis Colts with the 4-3 Denver Broncos on the outside looking in.

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Tyreek Hill says Jalen Ramsey will handle new AFC East receivers

Davante Adams and Amari Cooper are the newest weapons in the AFC East, but Tyreek Hill says the Dolphins will be just fine.

The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets made moves to add offensive firepower this week, acquiring Amari Cooper and Davante Adams, respectively. Tyreek Hill isn’t too worried about it, though.

Hill says he’s still the top dog in the AFC East and the Miami Dolphins have all they need to slow down Adams and Cooper.

“They’re still not the best receiver in the league, because I am and I stand on that,” Hill said Wednesday. “No, I’m definitely happy for Davante teaming back up with his old quarterback. … And for Amari, I think him and Josh Allen, those two guys will play very well together.

“It’s going to be a good test for our DBs when we play them, but got Jalen Ramsey on our team – we straight.”

After missing all of preseason and much of training camp due to a hamstring injury, Ramsey had a sluggish start to 2024. But after a couple rough performances, he’s been mostly back to his usual self in recent weeks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ramsey was targeted 10 times in the Dolphins’ last three games and has allowed six receptions for only 36 yards.

In Miami’s Week 11 win against the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Adams caught seven passes for 82 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. However, PFF credited Ramsey with allowing only one reception for six yards in the five times he was targeted while defending Adams in that game.

With one more game against the Bills and two against the Jets still on the schedule, it may largely be up to Ramsey to keep the AFC East’s two newest receivers in check. Evidently, Hill’s confident he’ll get the job done.

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Report: Chargers showing interest in acquiring WR Mike Williams

The Chargers need a top-end talent at the wide receiver position, and Mike Williams would make a ton of sense.

The Chargers are among three teams showing interest in trading for wide receiver Mike Williams, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russinni.

The other two teams are the Steelers and Saints.

Williams played his entire career with the Bolts before being released this past offseason to clear up cap space.

Across seven seasons with Los Angeles, Williams posted 309 receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch.

Williams, who is coming off a knee injury that he suffered last season, has 10 catches for 145 yards in six games with New York.

A reunion between Williams and the Chargers would make sense. They have one of the least efficient passing offenses in the league, and while that stems from a few different factors, they lack a top-end wideout.

Furthermore, Los Angeles doesn’t have a weapon to threaten the deep parts of the field. Even with DJ Chark coming back in the fold, Williams and Justin Herbert had great chemistry in that area of the field during their time together.

So if the price is right, Joe Hortiz would wise to make a move for Williams.

Bills sign kicker to practice squad as ‘concern’ with Tyler Bass grows

Bills sign kicker to practice squad as ‘concern’ with Tyler Bass grows

The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent kicker Lucas Havrisik to the practice squad the team announced on Thursday.

The Bills released wide receiver Ahmarean Brown from the practice squad to make room for Havrisik.

Havrisik has appeared in just nine games in the NFL. They all came in 2023 for the Los Angeles Rams. Last year he made 15-of-20 field goals (75%) and converted 19-of-22 extra points (86.4%). He also spent some time on the practice squad for the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns.

Havrisik’s kicking percentages would rank towards the bottom of the barrel when it comes to NFL kicking. But, current Bills kicker Tyler Bass ranks that poorly right now.

Bass has had an inconsistent year through six weeks of the season. And his struggles date back to last year.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed his concern with Bass.

McDermott said bluntly, “I can understand everyone’s concern [with Bass]. I’m concerned the same.”

The concern about Bass’ performance is what led to the Bills bringing in two free-agent kickers for workouts in September. And the concern remains a month later.

McDermott did, however, express his confidence that Bass would turn it around.

“He’s had some really good kicks in some really good moments, and some that weren’t his best,” McDermott said. “That’s part of the journey as well. I’m confident that he’ll continue to work through that and his best football is ahead of him.”

On Monday night against the New York Jets, Bass missed a field goal from 47 yards and he also missed an extra point that wasn’t particularly close to the uprights. It was a very windy night in East Rutherford in Bass’ defense.

Bass is 9-of-12 on field goals for the year. His 75% field goal percentage ranks 28th in the NFL. His 90% conversion rate on extra points ranks 32nd in the NFL.

The added competition in the special teams room with Havrisik can’t hurt.

The Bills need to turn their kicking around for the rest of the year. Bass will get a chance to get back on track against the Tennessee Titans at home in Week 7.

Reports: Saints showing interest in embattled Jets wide receiver

The Jets made Mike Williams expendable by trading for Davante Adams, and multiple reports say the Saints have inquired about trading for him:

The wide receiver trade market is moving rapidly in the NFL, and it appears Mike Williams may be the next domino to fall. That domino could fall in New Orleans. Per the Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt, the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers have all inquired about Williams.

Davante Adams joined Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets instead of Derek Carr in New Orleans. They are still interested in acquiring a receiver. After Rodgers blamed Williams for the game sealing interception in Week 6, Williams is likely on his way out of town.

Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have gone down with injuries, and the Saints were looking for receivers prior to their injuries. The urgency has likely risen.

Olave has a concussion that hopefully doesn’t linger past this week. Shaheed will miss at least some time with a meniscus injury.

Williams would give the Saints a field-stretcher to replace Shaheed in the offense, and a bigger target at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds. He’s only on a one-year contract, so there’s no ties or impact on the salary cap beyond this season.

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2 of Dolphins’ AFC East rivals added more offensive firepower

With the trade deadline still three weeks away, the Jets and Bills made early moves to add playmakers on offense.

The NFL trade deadline is still three weeks away, but the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets didn’t wait around to decide if they’re going to make moves. On Tuesday, the two AFC East teams added a pair of receivers with 11 combined Pro Bowl nods.

First, the Jets reached a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams, reuniting him with his former Green Bay Packers teammate, Aaron Rodgers.

Not long after, the Bills made a move to land five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

Both teams are set to lose third-round picks as part of the deals, which could eventually be costly if the 30- and 31-year-old receivers don’t immediately help their new squads. But that won’t make life any easier for the Dolphins in 2024.

Already facing an uphill climb in the AFC East, Miami will now face the Bills offense in Week 9 with Cooper added to the fold, and the Dolphins still have two matchups against the Jets on the docket in Weeks 14 and 18.

ESPN is giving the Dolphins just a one percent chance at winning the division and a nine percent chance at the postseason. A little more firepower for the two teams that are most in Miami’s way of the playoffs isn’t the most welcomed news for the team.

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Bills’ Josh Allen: Team ‘found a way’ to win vs. Jets

Bills’ Josh Allen: Team ‘found a way’ to win vs. Jets

The Bills defeated the Jets 23-20 on Monday Night Football this week to take a first-place lead in the AFC East as the only team in the division with a winning record.

QB Josh Allen and company bounced back from their first two losses of the season in back-to-back weeks by returning to their scoring ways early.

After scoring a touchdown and a field goal, Buffalo appeared headed into halftime with a 10-point lead.

That is until four-time NFL MVP and South American tea enthusiast Aaron Rodgers threw a signature 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown as the clock ran out to end the first half.

“Yeah, obviously kind of a gut punch,” Allen said postgame about Rodgers’ latest feat. “Going in thinking you’re gonna have a two-score lead there and they catch a Hail Mary.”

But the Bills fought back into the game in the second half.

The offense added two more touchdown tosses later in the contest, tying the game at 20 points each before a Tyler Bass field goal gave Buffalo a lead they would not lose the rest of the way.

“Fighting through adversity, getting in at halftime, regrouping, saying let’s just control one play at a time,” Allen added. “We didn’t score as many points as I’d like in the second half, but found a way.”

Allen went 19-of-25 passing for 215 yards with a 127.9 rating and two touchdowns in the air plus one on the ground.

“I wanted to come out and play a clean game and get through my reads quickly” Allen continued.

His teammates had faith in his ability to bounce back from the consecutive losses.

“We totally expected him to be able to flush that (loss),” left guard David Edwards said via The Buffalo News. “Some of the plays he made – awesome.”

The Bills improved to 4-2 atop their division, and have still never lost three straight games with Allen at quarterback. His playmaking has had a substantial impact on the win column this season.

“He’s just Josh Allen,” tight end Dalton Kincaid noted as well. “He can do miraculous things with the ball in his hands.”

The leadership of the club’s quarterback in gutting out the win was noticed and credited by his head coach as well.

“A good division win on the road,” head coach Sean McDermott said to the media. “Last three games in a row on the road, thought it was a gritty win led by Josh. Offense got off to a good start, established the line of scrimmage, really in the game.”

Allen realizes the importance of the division matchups “counting double” in their postseason implications, a concept that may begin to apply to key matchups against the AFC’s top playoff contenders on the Bills’ schedule as well.

“Our No. 1 goal is making the playoffs and you do that by winning your division,” Allen said. “We understand the gravity of this type of game, us being 4-2 with a 2 1/2-game lead with a head-to-head win, as opposed to being 3-3 and in second place.”

New Orleans Saints have lost the Davante Adams sweepstakes

The Saints and Jets were frontrunners for Raiders WR Davante Adams. The Saints missed out on Adams but should stay in the receiver market:

After weeks of speculation, Davante Adams has been traded from the Las Vegas Raiders but not to the New Orleans Saints. Adams will be joining his other former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, with the New York Jets.

Adams was traded for a third-round pick that could raise to a second based on performance, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Jets are assuming the entirety of Adams’ salary. This is a major reason the Saints couldn’t compete in this trade. Taking on the salary in addition to the compensation would have been irresponsible.

Chris Olave is in concussion protocol and Rashid Shaheed is dealing with a knee injury. The wide receiver room needs someone. Obviously, that won’t be Adams. There are still a few options left on the table. Amari Cooper would be a good option and he may allow the Saints to keep some of their higher draft picks, but they’ll have to prepare for the Denver Broncos with the players already on their roster.

NFL standings, Week 6: Dolphins slide up to second in AFC East

The Miami Dolphins had the weekend off, but still ended up improving their position in the AFC East.

The Miami Dolphins had the weekend off, but still ended up improving their position in the AFC East.

On Monday night, the Buffalo Bills escaped with a 23-20 win in a hard fought game against the New York Jets. While the win for the Bills improved their record and made the Dolphins’ chances at earning a division title a little bit tougher, it was a third consecutive loss for New York.

With the New England Patriots also picking up a Week 6 loss, the AFC East standings now look like this:

  1. Buffalo Bills: 4-2 (2-0 in AFC East)
  2. Miami Dolphins: 2-3 (1-1 in AFC East)
  3. New York Jets: 2-4 (1-1 in AFC East)
  4. New England Patriots: 1-5 (0-2 in AFC East)

Of course, the Dolphins’ chances at making the playoffs rest on their ability to bounce back from a rough start to the year. Miami has a relatively easy slate of opponents to finish the season, but there’s another matchup with Buffalo coming in Week 9 and a pair of battles against the Jets in Weeks 14 and 18.

For now, though, the Dolphins are back in second place in the AFC East — exactly where they’ve finished in five of the last eight seasons.

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Bills’ Dion Dawkins on facing Jets: ‘The tensions are extremely high’

Bills’ Dion Dawkins on facing Jets: ‘The tensions are extremely high’

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins isn’t one to shy away from telling the media how he feels, especially when it comes to his thoughts on facing the New York Jets.

Ahead of the Week 6 clash on “Monday Night Football,” Dawkins was honest about the rivalry between the two AFC East teams.

“The tensions are just high,” Dawkins said in a press conference this week. “They talk, we talk. And we’re entertainers. I’m for sure an entertainer. Why not? … I like tension.”

“Who wants to play when everybody’s friends,” he added. “Let’s push ourselves.”

The Bills (3-2) will have to push themselves to get back on track Monday night. Not only is the team coming off back-to-back losses, but they have also lost their last two games at Metlife Stadium against the Jets (2-3)

The team is aware of their shortcomings in recent years against the Jets. They need a win to maintain control of the AFC East. With a loss, New York  would become the division leader.

Even though Dawkins has a history of disliking the Jets, what he does like is the great competition between the two teams.

“Number eleven [Jermaine Johnson] … he’s hurt. Like even though imma talk my stuff, I wish that he was playing,” Dawkins said. “I like great competition. I actually prayed for him the other night. I’m hoping for a speedy recovery so we can get at it when he comes back.”

While Dawkins is tossing the fuel onto the fire that is the Bills-Jets rivalry, this one will be different than in recent memory. Robert Saleh was fired as New York’s head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was named the interim.

A longtime NFL man both as a player and coach, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott is not taking Ulbrich’s appointment lightly.

“A lot of respect for him as a player years ago and then also a lot of respect for him as a coach, what he’s done with that defense,” McDermott said. “We look forward to the challenge.”

There’s a lot on the line for both teams in Week 6. Not only is the division lead up for grabs but both teams are trying to get back on track after setbacks in recent weeks.

The talking from players like Dawkins leading up to the matchup just adds to the game’s intensity.

Listen to the full soundbite from Dawkins here:

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