The Miami Dolphins faced an uphill battle Sunday – a no-Hill battle to be exact – with the NFL’s leading receiver ruled out against the New York Jets with an ankle injury. It turns out, however, that even with Miami missing Tyreek Hill, the Jets were no match for their opponent.
The Jets were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a 13th consecutive season, which is the longest active streak in the NFL, and after the embarrassing 30-0 home loss it begs the question: Why would Aaron Rodgers risk re-injuring himself under these circumstances by attempting to suit up again this year?
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported prior to kickoff that Rodgers was likely to be cleared to play this week after recently being cleared to practice. There’s no denying how admirable and improbable Rodgers returning less than four months removed from tearing an Achilles tendon would be, but the Jets have lost six of seven and the offensive line leaves much to be desired. The Jets allowed six total sacks to the Dolphins on Sunday and Rodgers would be vulnerable in and around the pocket.
Rodgers has reportedly looked solid throwing the ball in practice this past week, though he was not facing an NFL-calibre pass rush in those sessions. New York’s deadline to activate Rodgers is Wednesday and he could theoretically return on Christmas Eve to face the Washington Commanders. Nothing is guaranteed but at this point why not focus on 2024 instead of possibly rushing it?
Another question stemming from this AFC East matchup is: Can the Dolphins hang on down the stretch to secure a division title and potentially the No. 1 seed in the AFC after improving to 10-4? The team has a daunting three-game stretch coming up.
BILLS ACTUALLY HAVE REALISTIC PATH TO DIVISION TITLE
It certainly didn’t look like the playoffs, let alone a home playoff game, was in the cards for Buffalo earlier this month when the Bills were the 11th seed in the AFC and had lost three of four. Well, don’t look now but after soundly defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Josh Allen and company have won three of four, are two games above .500 for the first time since Week 4, and are finally about to face some non-playoff teams after three consecutive heavyweight matchups.
Buffalo’s schedule eases up the next two weeks with a road game at the Chargers on Saturday then a home contest versus the Patriots before finishing off the regular season in Miami in Week 18.
If the Bills can manage to maintain their current momentum and beat the Chargers and Pats, and the Dolphins lose to one of Dallas or Baltimore over the next two weeks, then it would set up a regular-season finale with the AFC East title on the line. Buffalo beat Miami 48-20 in Week 4 and can sweep the season series with a Week 18 victory. Buffalo would win a tiebreaker with Miami if both teams finished even at 11-6.
MAYFIELD, FLACCO DESERVE COMEBACK PLAYER BUZZ
Baker Mayfield’s odds to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year this season were roughly 85/1 merely two weeks ago and after the Tampa Bay quarterback led his team to a third consecutive victory on Sunday those odds are decreasing rapidly.
Mayfield split his 2022 campaign between the Panthers and Rams, going a combined 2-8 that season and it came into question whether his time as a viable starter in the NFL had come and gone for the 28-year-old.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 NFL Draft finished Sunday’s 34-20 victory over the Packers going 22 of 28 for 381 yards, four touchdowns, zero turnovers and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Mayfield has 24 passing touchdowns this season, which is three shy of matching his career high, and more importantly has helped his team get back to .500 and maintain the top spot in the NFC South.
Another player whose Comeback Player odds have shortened drastically in recent weeks is Joe Flacco, the fourth starting QB Cleveland has turned to this season. The 38-year-old hadn’t started since an ugly Week 18 outing last season with the Jets and had only made 26 total starts since the 2017 season before getting called off his couch last month.
The 16-year veteran has now won two in a row and was tossing perfect spirals all over the field to the tune of 374 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 20-17 win over the Bears. Sure, he also had 16 incompletions, was sacked four times and had ball security issues including three interceptions, but on the bright side, he leaned on tight end David Njoku during a late fourth-quarter drive that led to the game-winning field goal.
The final whistle occurred after one of the more exciting Hail Marys that didn’t end in a miracle touchdown.
The Browns moved to 9-5 and now control their own destiny in the competitive AFC playoff race.
Damar Hamlin of the Bills remains the favourite to be named Comeback Player this season, however, the recent efforts of Mayfield and Flacco deserve major props.
CHIEFS PASS-CATCHERS (MOSTLY) DO THEIR PART
A major recurring storyline surrounding the defending Super Bowl champions this season has been the frequent dropped passes from the receiving corps. It was relevant during Kansas City’s two-game losing streak. Less so this week against the Patriots.
Tight end Travis Kelce was held to 28 yards on five catches, however, rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice stepped up with nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire contributed 64 yards plus a highlight-reel receiving touchdown to go with his 37 rushing yards.
Patrick Mahomes threw for more than 300 yards for the fourth time this season, completing 27 passes with 10 incompletes. Mahomes threw multiple interceptions for the third time this season and suffice it to say Kadarius Toney’s target share isn’t likely to increase anytime soon.
