Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) runs with the football against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Bills clinch AFC East with comeback win over Dolphins

Josh Allen passed for 359 yards and two touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills notched a 21-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night at Miami Gardens, Fla., to win the AFC East for the fourth straight season.

Allen tossed the go-ahead touchdown to Dawson Knox midway through the final quarter as Buffalo (11-6) won its fifth straight contest. Taylor Rapp sealed the victory with an interception with 1:13 remaining.

Trent Sherfield also caught a touchdown pass and Khalil Shakir had 105 receiving yards for the second-seeded Bills, who will host the seventh-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers in next Sunday’s playoff contest.

Allen rushed for 67 yards and also completed 30 of 38 passes with two interceptions. He improved to 11-2 as a starter against Miami (including last season’s playoff victory) and has thrown 36 touchdown passes in those 13 games.

Tua Tagovailoa completed 17 of 27 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Dolphins (11-6). Tyreek Hill caught seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown and De’Von Achane added a rushing score.

Miami lost for the third time in five games while playing without running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) for the second consecutive game. The sixth-seeded Dolphins will visit the third-seeded Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night.

The Bills outgained Miami 473-275.

Buffalo’s only offensive touchdown in the second half was the decisive score to cap an eight-play, 74-yard drive. Allen connected with Knox on a 5-yard throw to give the Bills a 21-14 lead with 7:16 remaining.

The Dolphins went three-and-out on their next possession and didn’t see the ball again until 1:53 remained. But Rapp’s pick 40 seconds later ended any suspense.

Buffalo tied the score at 14 on Deonte Hardy’s franchise-record-setting 96-yard punt return with 13:42 left in the contest. Hardy’s return broke the old team mark of 91 yards by Keith Moody against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 23, 1977.

Hardy caught the ball at his own 4-yard line and exploded up the middle and moved into the clear as Miami players Cameron Goode and Alec Engold got tangled up. Hardy navigated to his left and raced down the sideline without any Dolphins in his vicinity.

The Dolphins struck first when Achane broke a 25-yard TD run with 8:51 left in the first half.

Buffalo tied the game when Sherfield caught a 6-yard scoring pass with 4:31 remaining in the half. Allen’s throw hit the helmet of Miami’s Andrew Van Ginkel and ricocheted high in the air and Sherfield was able to grab it in the back of the end zone while getting both feet down.

Miami took a 14-7 lead when Tagovailoa threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Hill with 1:43 to go before halftime.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) attempts a pass against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Purdy one of nine 49ers on NFC Pro Bowl roster

The San Francisco 49ers, who will head into the playoffs as the top seed in the NFC, had a league-high nine players selected for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

Eight 49ers were chosen as starters for the flag football game in which the AFC will oppose the NFC on Feb. 4 in Orlando. Skills competitions also will be contested.

Quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa will be among the San Francisco starters, as will fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tackle Trent Williams, linebacker Fred Warner and cornerback Charvarius Ward.

Niners defensive lineman Javon Hargrave landed on the NFC squad as a reserve.

The Baltimore Ravens, who secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 56-19 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, had seven Pro Bowl selections, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and safety Kyle Hamilton.

Seven Cowboys were chosen for the Pro Bowl Games.

Pro Bowl starters:

AFC
Offense:
QB Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)
RB Raheem Mostert (Dolphins)
FB Alec Ingold (Dolphins)
WR Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Amari Cooper (Browns)
TE Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
T Laremy Tunsil (Texans), Dion Dawkins (Bills)
G Quenton Nelson (Colts), Joel Bitonio (Browns)
C Creed Humphrey (Chiefs)

Defense:
DE Myles Garrett (Browns), Maxx Crosby (Raiders)
DL Chris Jones (Chiefs), Quinnen Williams (Jets)
OLB T.J. Watt (Steelers), Khalil Mack (Chargers)
MLB Roquan Smith (Ravens)
CB Pat Surtain II (Broncos), Sauce Gardner (Jets)
FS Justin Simmons (Broncos)
SS Kyle Hamilton (Ravens)

Special teams:
LS Ross Matiscik (Jaguars)
P AJ Cole (Raiders)
K Justin Tucker (Ravens)
KR Marvin Mims Jr. (Broncos)
ST Miles Killebrew (Steelers)

NFC
Offense:
QB Brock Purdy (49ers)
RB Christian McCaffrey (49ers)
FB Kyle Juszczyk (49ers)
WR CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), A.J. Brown (Eagles)
TE George Kittle (49ers)
T Trent Williams (49ers), Lane Johnson (Eagles)
G Zack Martin (Cowboys), Chris Lindstrom (Falcons)
C Jason Kelce (Eagles)

Defense:
DE Nick Bosa (49ers), Montez Sweat (Bears)
DL Aaron Donald (Rams), Dexter Lawrence (Giants)
OLB Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Danielle Hunter (Vikings)
MLB Fred Warner (49ers)
CB DaRon Bland (Cowboys), Charvarius Ward (49ers)
FS Jessie Bates (Falcons)
SS Budda Baker (Cardinals)

Special teams:
LS: Andrew DePaola (Vikings)
P Bryan Anger (Cowboys)
K Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys)
KR Rashid Shaheed (Saints)
ST Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Lions)

–Field Level Media

Feb 4, 2023; Paradise, NV, USA; NFL coach Eli Manning (left) talks with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during practice at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins, NFC top AFC at first-ever ‘Pro Bowl Games’

Kirk Cousins connected with George Kittle on a 12-yard touchdown pass and scrambled away from a blitz to hit Minnesota Vikings teammate Justin Jefferson on the one-point conversion to lift the NFC to a victory over the AFC in the inaugural Pro Bowl Games on Sunday in Las Vegas.

The NFC beat the AFC 27-21 in the final tally, which awarded points for three short flag football games and a host of skills events that ranged from “Best Catch” to “Kick-Tac-Toe.”

The NFC, which trailed 9-3 after Thursday’s slate of skills competitions, tied the score at 21 entering the final flag football game. Cousins threw three touchdown passes, besting Derek Carr’s two for the AFC in likely his last appearance in Las Vegas as a member of the Raiders. The NFC won the decisive game 35-33 after Carr found Dawson Knox for a late touchdown but the AFC failed to convert a two-point attempt.

Eli Manning coached the NFC team and Peyton Manning did the same for the AFC. The brothers’ production company was also responsible for “reimagining” the all-star exhibition that had drawn criticism over the years for its lackluster showings as players did not want to risk injury.

Ironically, the format change — featuring 7-on-7 games that followed standard flag football rules — did not prevent injuries for all. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett reportedly suffered a dislocated toe during one of the flag contests.

Tyler Huntley — the Baltimore Ravens’ backup quarterback, in the game as a reserve — threw four touchdowns in the first game, two to Baltimore teammate Mark Andrews, but Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks beat that with five touchdowns as the NFC won the first flag game 33-27.

Stefon Diggs, who also lost the “Best Catch” final to Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, caught the go-ahead touchdown for the AFC to ultimately win the second flag game 18-13.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer on during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Full NFL playoff picture: Eagles land bye, Dolphins snag wild card

With all but one Week 18 game complete, 13 of the NFL’s 14 playoff teams were set in stone Sunday evening.

The Philadelphia Eagles finally secured the top seed in the NFC and the Miami Dolphins grabbed the last AFC wild-card berth during the afternoon action.

The only spot left at the table was the No. 7 seed in the NFC. The Seattle Seahawks remained alive for it by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 19-16 in overtime. But the Green Bay Packers have a win-and-in scenario entering “Sunday Night Football” against the visiting Detroit Lions. If the Packers lose, the Seahawks will earn the berth.

The Eagles’ 22-16 victory over the New York Giants halted a two-game slide and brought Philadelphia to 14-3, out of reach of the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, who were also contending for the NFC’s top seed at the start of the day.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC by beating the New England Patriots 35-23. The Cincinnati Bengals locked up the No. 3 seed with a 27-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Bills and Bengals were playing for the first time since their Monday night game was postponed and eventually canceled after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field.

The day’s results set up the Bengals to face the Ravens in the AFC wild-card round. The NFL has said that due to the scheduling disadvantages caused by Monday’s cancellation in Cincinnati, homefield advantage for Bengals-Ravens will be decided by a coin flip.

The Dolphins beat the New York Jets 11-6 to beat out New England and the Pittsburgh Steelers for the last available AFC berth.

See the full schedule below (times and dates TBD):

AFC
No. 7 Miami Dolphins (9-8) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-3)
No. 6 Baltimore Ravens (10-7) vs. No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) at No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
Bye: No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)

NFC
No. 7 Seattle or Green Bay (TBD) at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
No. 6 New York Giants (9-7-1) at No. 3 Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
No. 5 Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
Bye: No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

–Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills gather while CPR is administered to Damar Hamlin at the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023.

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Bills-Bengals canceled; NFL to consider neutral-site AFC title game

The Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game that was halted Monday when Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin experienced a cardiac arrest on the field will not be resumed or replayed, the NFL announced Thursday night.

As a result, the Bills and Bengals will have their postseason positions determined based on their winning percentage for a 16-game season rather than the 17-game slot played by all other NFL teams.

Due to the resulting disparity, the league recommended changes to playoff ramifications that team owners will consider in a special league meeting Friday. Chiefly, the AFC Championship Game would be played at a neutral site if the home team for that contest ordinarily would have been settled in part by the result of the now-canceled game.

“This has been a very difficult week,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country. We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them.”

The league noted in its announcement that no teams will make the playoffs or be eliminated from contention based on the Bills-Bengals game being canceled. The NFL also decided against postponing the entire playoff slate just to make up the game in Cincinnati.

By announcing the decision on the fate of the halted game prior to the Week 18 slate that will conclude the regular season on Sunday, the NFL said that all teams now will enter their finales knowing exactly what scenarios are in play.

The AFC title game would be played at a neutral site if any of three possibilities occur:

–If Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) both win or tie this weekend, a Bills-Chiefs championship game would be held at a neutral site.

–If the Bills and Chiefs both lose this weekend and the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) win or tie, a Buffalo-Kansas City championship game would be played at a neutral site.

–If the Bills and Chiefs both lose and Bengals win, Buffalo-Kansas City or Cincinnati-Kansas City AFC title game would be held at a neutral site.

In addition, if the Ravens defeat the Bengals (11-4) on Sunday, giving Baltimore a season sweep of Cincinnati, the teams would end with the same number of wins, but the Bengals would have fewer losses. Should those teams wind up facing off in a wild-card game, the NFL will hold a coin toss to determine the home team.

The site of any other wild-card game involving either of those teams would be determined per standard procedure.

“As we considered the football schedule, our principles have been to limit disruption across the league and minimize competitive inequities,” Goodell said in a statement. “I recognize that there is no perfect solution. The proposal we are asking the ownership to consider, however, addresses the most significant potential equitable issues created by the difficult, but necessary, decision not to play the game under these extraordinary circumstances.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens climbing AFC futures odds board

Futures odds shifts are beginning to spotlight a rising contender in the AFC: the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens jumped to +800 to win the conference at 5-3 following the Cincinnati Bengals’ loss to the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North duel on Monday night that capped Week 8 in the NFL. Cincinnati is 4-4 and the Browns are 3-5.

Baltimore had been +1400 in July to win the AFC at FanDuel and BetMGM.

As of Tuesday morning, odds pointed to the Ravens as a near lock to win the division at -320 at FanDuel, -360 at Caesars Sportsbook and -380 at DraftKings. On Aug. 3, the Ravens were +165 to win the North, narrowly ahead of the Bengals (+210) and Browns (+235).

Lamar Jackson has approached his 2019 MVP form and the Ravens upgraded their defense on Monday with the trade deadline acquisition of inside linebacker Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears.

Baltimore is still well back of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, at +1600 at most books at +1800 at DraftKings.

That second tier with the Ravens at most sportsbooks includes the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.

The top tier includes AFC favorite Buffalo, now at +320 to win the Super Bowl ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles (+500) and Kansas City Chiefs (+700) at Caesars.

BetMGM, Caesars and FanDuel all have elevated the projected win total for the Ravens.

Caesars has the Ravens over-under on wins set at 11 (-110) and FanDuel is at 10.5 (-150). BetMGM and DraftKings adjusted the Ravens up to 11 (-115).

Jackson’s MVP odds are steady. At Caesars, he’s +1300 and a distant fourth behind Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+125), Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+350) and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (+375).

FanDuel has Jackson at +950 behind the same three quarterbacks. He’s +1000 at DraftKings.

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC tight end Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens (89) runs with the ball against the NFC during the second quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

AFC pours on points, beats NFC for fifth straight Pro Bowl win

Justin Herbert threw two touchdown passes, Mac Jones added one more and the AFC held on for a 41-35 win over the NFC in the Pro Bowl on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

Mark Andrews had five catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns to lead the AFC. Hunter Renfrow also had a touchdown catch, and Stefon Diggs notched a rushing touchdown. It marked the AFC’s fifth straight Pro Bowl victory.

Kyler Murray threw three touchdown passes for the NFC, and Kirk Cousins had another touchdown toss. Kyle Juszczyk, Mike Evans, Kyle Pitts and Dalvin Cook each hauled in touchdowns in the loss.

The AFC opened the scoring on a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by Darius Leonard with 12:17 remaining in the first quarter. Leonard, who had four interceptions to go along with a league-high eight forced fumbles this season, stepped in front of a high pass from Murray.

The NFC pulled even at 7-7 on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Juszczyk with 9:57 to go in the first quarter.

Less than a minute later, Andrews grabbed a 15-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to make it 14-7 in favor of the AFC.

The NFC pulled within 14-13 on a pick-six by Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the final play of the first quarter. Winfield faked a pitch and kept the ball for a 63-yard return to the end zone, but a two-point conversion attempt failed moments later.

In the first minute of the second quarter, Myles Garrett had a 22-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Jones followed that with a successful two-point conversion, finding Diontae Johnson in the end zone to put the AFC on top 22-13.

Murray fired a 19-yard touchdown to Evans with 10:41 left in the second quarter. Murray then connected with CeeDee Lamb for a two-point conversion that pulled the NFC within 22-21.

A 7-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to Andrews, followed by an unsuccessful two-point attempt, gave the AFC a 28-21 lead with 5:01 left in the second quarter.

Next came a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Renfrow — again followed by an unsuccessful two-point attempt — to make it 34-21 with 7:24 to go in the third quarter.

The AFC’s advantage increased to 41-21 on Diggs’ 4-yard run late in the third quarter.

The NFC cut the deficit to 41-28 on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Pitts with 10:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Murray notched his third touchdown pass on a 5-yard strike to Cook with 2:36 left.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) in action during the game between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Diggs brothers excited to face off in Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl is annually a game in which many players opt out and some participate while disinterested.

In the midst of all the roster turmoil, there are at least two players highly eager to play in the Sunday game between the NFC and AFC at Las Vegas: the Diggs brothers.

NFL interception champion Trevon Diggs of the Dallas Cowboys can’t wait for that moment when he is staring across the line of scrimmage and sees older brother Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills just a couple yards away.

“Probably one of my favorite moments of this year, for real, because that’s my brother,” Trevon Diggs recently told reporters. “I love him to death and just being able to go up there (to the Pro Bowl) with him, that’s fire.”

Trevon Diggs, a 23-year-old cornerback, had a breakout campaign in his second NFL season. With his league-best 11 interceptions, he matched Everson Walls (1981) for the Cowboys’ single-season record, and he returned two for touchdowns.

A big reason for his rapid rise is the offseason workouts he conducted with Stefon. The 28-year-old wideout is in his second straight Pro Bowl after catching 103 passes for 1,225 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns this season.

On the day of the Pro Bowl selections, Stefon and Trevon were on FaceTime with 15 other family members and close friends. Stefon was pleased to earn another berth, but seeing his brother’s face appear on television as a selection was the highlight of the call.

“I was more happy for him than I was for myself,” Stefon Diggs said. “I was just more proud than anything. … I saw his face, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s my little brother.’”

Stefon Diggs’ usual quarterback, Josh Allen, is one of the many star players who won’t be in Las Vegas. Allen initially was an alternate for the game, but he turned down an invitation last week, citing body soreness.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) also declined a recent invitation, leading to Mac Jones of the New England Patriots getting the call as the AFC’s third quarterback. Justin Herbert of the Chargers is the AFC’s starting quarterback with Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs in reserve.

The top two candidates for NFL Most Valuable Player aren’t playing for the NFC — Aaron Rodgers (undisclosed injury) of the Green Bay Packers and the now-retired Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The NFC quarterbacks are now-starter Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals and two replacements — Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings.

Packers receiver Davante Adams (undisclosed injury) is among the others who pulled out.

Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans is coach of the AFC and Matt LaFleur of the Packers leads the NFC. The Titans and Packers both tied for the best regular-season record in their conference.

There will be no opening kickoff in this year’s game as the league experiments with the “Spot and Choose” method that the Ravens proposed to the Competition Committee last year.

The team that wins the coin toss will be able to spot the ball on any part of the field and choose the direction. The other team will then choose whether to start on offense or defense from the designated spot.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs' Kareem Hunt happy with whatever role in offense

NFL Week 6 Football Props: Chiefs vs. Patriots

The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots have both been playing exceptional football. Following a rocky 1-2 start, the Patriots have bounced back with 2 commanding victories over the Dolphins and Colts. Aided by Josh Gordon and the return of Julian Edelman, New England seems to have found it’s offensive rhythm they lacked in the first three weeks. They Currently sit atop the AFC East. There were many who considered the Jaguars’ defense to be the only thing that could slow down the dynamics Kansas City offense. The week 5 matchup started with the Chiefs taking a 20-0 lead by halftime, with Blake Bortles having thrown a couple of interceptions. Jacksonville managed to get on the board, but there was never really any hope for a second-half comeback as the Chiefs rolled to a 30-14 victory. Sunday night we’ll get to see the Chiefs head to New England to face their potentially toughest challenge of the season, although they will travel to LA to face the Rams in November. Kansas City defeated New England 42-27 in week 1 of last season. Alternate lines are very popular in Europe and allow the sportsbook provide accelerated lines at better odds. The offering of these alternate lines often come with higher bet commission, but they opportunity for big odds on a two-sided bet can be there every game.

Alternate lines are available at Sugar House Sportsbook if you live in the state of New Jersey.

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Comparing Team vs Divisional Wins

It’s no secret that the New England Patriots have pretty much owned the AFC East for the past decade. However, did you know that the rest of the AFC East have averaged fewer than 8 wins in the same time frame? If the goal is to make the playoffs, it certainly helps when the rest of your division tends to produce losing records. The flip side of the AFC East is the AFC North. The Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens have had many strong seasons, often sending two of the three teams to the playoffs (in 2011, all three teams advanced to the playoffs).
The graphic below allows you to choose a division and a team, and it displays the wins for the selected team vs. the average wins for the rest of the division.
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