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Within the span of about eight hours, the Buffalo Payments went from sitting outdoors the playoff image to standing atop the AFC East, division champs for the fourth straight 12 months. They could have taken the lengthy solution to get there, however Josh Allen & Co. got here out on high following a season of struggles and one large dash to the playoffs’ second seed.
That they had a little bit little bit of assist, in fact, from their frenemies in Jacksonville, whose collapse down the stretch and loss to the Titans earlier on Sunday noticed the Payments clinch a playoff berth earlier than they hit the sphere in Miami.
Sunday night time’s 21-14 season-finale victory noticed Allen at his finest — 30 for 38, 259 yards and two touchdowns — and his worst (two interceptions and a few questionable selections beneath duress that would’ve confirmed pricey). The win was sealed by an interception from security Taylor Rapp, snagging the division from the grasp of the Dolphins and dropping Miami down from the AFC’s second seed to its sixth.
That’s 5 straight wins now for Buffalo, making the Payments a harmful opponent come wild card weekend. A loss for the Payments would’ve set them up for a rematch towards Miami subsequent weekend. As a substitute, the win lands Buffalo a date with the visiting Steelers whereas the Dolphins head north to Arrowhead to see a well-rested Chiefs group that was afforded the luxurious of sitting a number of stars on Sunday.
Sunday night time’s finale was a becoming finish to what’s been a dramatic common season within the NFL crammed with twists and turns and bumps and bruises — and no, we’re not simply speaking about life in Buffalo these previous 4 months.
With the ultimate week of the 2023 marketing campaign within the books, right here’s our assortment of takeaways… however first, a glimpse of what’s to return:
The stage is about. Right here’s what the 2023-24 NFL playoff image seems to be like:
AFC
No. 1 seed: Baltimore Ravens (bye)
No. 2 Buffalo Payments vs. No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 3 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs. No. 6 Miami Dolphins
No. 4 Houston Texans vs. No. 5 Cleveland Browns
NFC
No. 1 seed: San Francisco 49ers (bye)
No. 2 Dallas Cowboys vs. No. 7 Inexperienced Bay Packers
No. 3 Detroit Lions vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Rams
No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles
Jaguars’ collapse paves manner for Texans, Steelers, Payments
Sitting atop the AFC South with an 8-3 document to open December, Jacksonville’s path to the post-season was clear. Six weeks later, the Jaguars discover themselves outdoors the playoff image following a 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans — the very division foe Trevor Lawrence & Co. defeated precisely one 12 months in the past to finish their dash into the post-season.
So, what occurred? The Jaguars went 1-5 down the stretch, a run that included three straight losses to AFC North golf equipment, to lose floor within the playoff race. Nonetheless, they remained in charge of their playoff destiny getting into Week 18, even after the Texans clinched their playoff spot Saturday night time and Pittsburgh put themselves in playoff place with their very own win over the Ravens a number of hours later.
A win over Tennessee Sunday afternoon would’ve seen Jacksonville lock down the division. As a substitute, their loss noticed them fall out of the playoffs fully, with Houston claiming the AFC South and Pittsburgh and Buffalo clinching their post-season berths.
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Whereas the Jaguars received in their very own manner lots, notably late within the sport when Lawrence overthrew a wide-open Calvin Ridley in a play that nearly definitely would’ve resulted in a rating and a possibility to tie issues up at 28 apiece, the Titans didn’t quit a lot. Tennessee’s defence held their division foe scoreless on two late-game probabilities and intercepted Lawrence twice whereas star working again Derrick Henry placed on a present (19 carries for 153 yards and a landing) in what was probably his ultimate sport with the franchise.
Bengals’ win over Browns clinches historic season for AFC North
Because of the Steelers’ win over the Ravens Saturday night time and the Jaguars’ loss to the Titans on Sunday afternoon, this 12 months’s post-season image contains three entries from the AFC North.
That’s fairly spectacular, however probably the most historic second for the division got here courtesy of the lone AFC North membership not within the playoffs. The Bengals’ 31-14 win over the Browns on Sunday (Cleveland’s lineup didn’t embrace a handful of starters, together with QB Joe Flacco) introduced Cincinnati’s season document to 9-8, which implies all 4 groups within the AFC North completed the season above .500. That hasn’t occurred since 1935.
Mayfield’s million-dollar win leads Buccaneers atop NFC South
Somebody needed to win the NFC South, and Baker Mayfield made it clear Sunday afternoon that it was going to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their 9-0 win over the last-place Carolina Panthers by no means actually unsure because of a shutdown efficiency on defence. (Right here’s a scary thought: We nearly had two NFC South golf equipment clinch playoff spots… however Jordan Love and the Inexperienced Bay Packers did us all a stable and took the seventh seed as a substitute. Phew!)
This one held a little bit additional significance for Baker Mayfield — and never simply because the win got here towards his outdated membership, which launched him final 12 months.
Mayfield has discovered a fantastic slot in Tampa Bay, his fourth group within the final three years, and his division-clinching efficiency is now rewarded with a million-dollar incentive unlocked.
Mayfield wasn’t the one one to money in on a bonus in Week 18. Chiefs edge rusher Chris Jones, who restructured his deal after holding out to begin the season, hit double-digit sacks on the season towards the Chargers and earned himself an additional $1.25 million.
CeeDee Lamb’s sizzling streak continues
The Dallas Cowboys’ offence is clicking at the perfect time, and so they’ve received the NFC East’s high seed to point out for it following their Week 18 win over the Commanders.
This membership is trying harmful, and lots of that’s because of the otherworldly play of CeeDee Lamb. The star extensive receiver had a two-touchdown outing towards Washington, his second straight 13-catch effort after his unbelievable 227-yard sport final week towards Detroit. He now has a minimum of one landing in 9 straight matchups, together with 4 scores in his final three video games.
Are the Eagles in bother?
After beginning the season 10-1, Philadelphia has been in freefall. Since defeating Buffalo in time beyond regulation on the finish of November, the Eagles have gained only a single sport to complete the marketing campaign 11-6. Losses to the 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks felt regarding, positive, however you’re at all times going to offer the advantage of the doubt to a membership that went all the way in which to the Tremendous Bowl one 12 months in the past. Nevertheless it’s their ultimate three video games which are actually sowing the seeds of doubt in Philly forward of the post-season: Two losses to the Giants and one to the Cardinals. Sunday’s dismal outing towards New York, which noticed head coach Nick Sirianni pull his starters halfway by way of the sport, spells extra bother to return. Each security Sydney Brown and star receiver A.J. Brown suffered obvious knee accidents.
Did we simply witness the top of an period in New England?
It wasn’t probably the most eventful sport — take two of the worst offences within the league and add continuous snow squalls, and… you get the image: Fairly? Sure, in the event you love a snow globe sport. But additionally, fairly boring.
However Sunday afternoon’s matchup between AFC East rivals New York and New England wasn’t actually concerning the soccer, contemplating either side have lengthy been dominated out. It’s about what comes subsequent, notably with reference to the Patriots. Is that this the top for Invoice Belichick? Rumours have been swirling all season that the group shall be parting methods with its legendary coach, however neither he nor the group has confirmed something. And his post-game press convention was… as anticipated.
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If that is the top of the Belichick-Patriots partnership, it’s been a really historic run: A 265-119 regular-season document over 24 years — 301 profession wins together with playoffs, which is third most in NFL historical past — and 19 straight seasons with a profitable document. He’s received extra playoff wins (31), Tremendous Bowls (six), and Tremendous Bowl appearances (9) than any coach in league historical past.
And if it’s not? The Patriots shall be one of the intriguing groups on the draft, with B.B. poised to chase historical past at house with a brand new QB.
Dan Campbell performs to win, however did the Lions pay the worth?
Dan Campbell performs to win. That a lot was clear final week towards Dallas, and it was once more apparent Sunday towards Minnesota when the gutsy bench boss performed his starters regardless of the Lions having already securing the NFC North.
Campbell took a chance that each the Eagles and Cowboys would lose on Sunday — a loss for each and a win for Detroit would’ve seen the Lions step up into the No. 2 seed within the NFC — and whereas he was proper about one in all them, his resolution to play his starters in Week 18 may come again to hang-out him. The Lions misplaced breakout tight finish Sam LaPorta to a knee harm, and whereas it’s unclear how severe it’s simply but it should nearly definitely affect Jared Goff’s offence Sunday when a really acquainted foe involves city.
Black Monday begins early with Smith firing
At precisely 12:02 am ET, the Atlanta Falcons introduced they’ve parted methods with head coach Arthur Smith. He’s the fourth coach fired this season. His ultimate sport with the Falcons wasn’t fairly, nor was his game-ending handshake with Saints coach Dennis Allen. Smith was visibly indignant after Allen’s offence ran in a landing after taking victory formation — a transfer initially regarded as Allen’s play-call, and later revealed by the coach and his backup quarterback, Jameis Winston, that it was the gamers who defied the formation and known as their very own play.
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