The Buffalo Bills experienced yet another heartbreaking loss during the divisional round. 

The Bills were defeated by the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos in overtime. With many of the most experienced teams already out of the playoffs, the Bills thought they had a strong chance to make the Super Bowl despite a low seeding. Meanwhile, the Broncos proved their doubters wrong and held their ground against the veteran Bills.

The first touchdown was a Josh Allen pass to Mecole Hardman Jr., giving the Bills a 7-3 lead after one quarter. The Broncos responded in the second quarter with a passing touchdown to Frank Crum. 

With just 22 seconds left in the half, Lil’Jordan Humphrey caught a 29-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos a lead. Humphrey started the season on the Giants’ practice squad. The Bills got the ball back, but Allen fumbled the ball on a quarterback scramble. This was one of his four turnovers in the game. The Broncos ended the half with a field goal to make the game 20-10. 

The Bills got back into the game in the third quarter on a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman. Despite this, they were still down heading into the fourth quarter. This changed about two minutes in when Dalton Kincaid caught a touchdown pass to tie the game, with kicker Matt Prater’s extra point giving them the lead.

With less than one minute left, Marvin Mims Jr. caught a 26-yard pass for a touchdown to give the Broncos the lead. However, the Bills quickly marched down the field, and Prater hit the game-tying field goal. 

The Bills’ defense forced a punt on the Broncos’ first overtime possession. However, Allen threw an interception to give the Broncos the ball back. The Bills’ defense committed two pass interference penalties, putting the Broncos within field-goal range. Will Lutz hit the game-winning field goal from 23 yards.

At the post-game press conference, Allen shed tears over the heartbreaking loss.

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the top offenses in the NFL, and it runs through star quarterback Joe Burrow and his running mate, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

The 28-year-old signal-caller is coming off one of the better passing seasons in recent memory, in which he threw for 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 70.6% of his passes with a 108.5 passer rating.

Some analysts felt Burrow should’ve gotten more consideration for MVP after leading the league in passing yards, touchdowns and finishing fourth in completion percentage; however, that honor went to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

The 29-year-old Wyoming alum had one of the statistically worst seasons of his career (3,731 yards passing, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions), but he led the Bills to a 13-4 record and nearly had them playing in their first Super Bowl since 1994 before running into Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

While the debate about which quarterback is the best in the NFL – a designation that Burrow and Allen are 100% in the running for – is one that gets many people fired up, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase tried to make a case for his quarterback during an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams this week – only it backfired.

Chase was seemingly trying to explain why Burrow stands out above Allen, but he actually ended up making the case that opposing defensive coordinators fear Allen more than Burrow.

“When you turn on Joe’s tape, it’s different than Josh Allen’s tape,” Chase said. “People game plan against Josh Allen, not against Joe Burrow. They plan against his game weapons; you know what I’m saying.”

In Chase’s defense, a few seconds earlier, he was explaining exactly what makes Burrow one of the best at his position.

“Honestly, I feel like he has it all – the timing, the accuracy, the placement, the speed, the awareness – he has it,” Chase stated. “The field recognition, I mean, what else? He audibles in the backfield.”

Burrow and Allen have only gone head-to-head twice in their NFL careers.

The Bengals edged out the Bills for a 24-18 win in Week 9 of the 2023 season and again two months later in the AFC Divisional Playoffs in a 27-10 Bengals victory.

The Tush Push gained popularity through the Philadelphia Eagles’ use of the play, but the Buffalo Bills are another team that has found success with it.

The vote to ban the play in May didn’t pass, although the Bills were one of the teams that voted in favor of the ban. Head coach Sean McDermott believes that although the play was successful, the injury risk is too great.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen doesn’t agree with his head coach.

“I’m a big believer in if you can’t stop it, keep running it, right?” Allen told Sports Illustrated. “And just because a couple teams do it better than others, I don’t feel like it should be banned.”

Allen’s view is not unique and is shared by many who don’t want to see the play banned.

For the vote to pass, 24 NFL teams need to vote in favor of the ban. In May, only 22 teams voted in favor, with ten teams voting no.

In addition to the Eagles, the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions were among the ten teams that voted no.

Allen scored 12 rushing touchdowns last season, with many of the 12 coming from the Tush Push on the goal line. He likely doesn’t want to see a play that has helped his team win be banned.

“I feel like if you can use it to your benefit, use it to your benefit,” Allen said. “If you don’t like it, my advice is to stop it, you know?”

The NFL is reportedly considering changes to overtime rules in the regular season. Instead of allowing the receiving team to automatically win with a touchdown, the league may adopt the current playoff rules that give both teams a chance to score regardless of the first drive’s outcome.

In addition to adapting the rules, the league is also considering extending the overtime period to 15 minutes. Some combination of these two changes could complete the NFL’s departure from sudden-death regulations.

Controversies over the years concerning overtime rules are countless. Every fanbase has a story about its team getting denied possession at the end of a close game. The 2019 AFC Championship between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes ended this way, with the Chiefs losing a coin toss and never getting a chance on offense. Three years later, Mahomes beat the Bills and Josh Allen in identical fashion. 

The league has taken many steps over the years to tinker with the longstanding rules, but this prospective change could put the issue to rest forever. Without instituting something as radical as the NCAA’s format with untimed downs, the NFL can still create a system where both teams get a chance to score throughout the season. 

“Should it be the same overtime rules as it is in the postseason?” Troy Vincent, executive vice president of football operations, said this week. “This is one when you think about themes coming out of the season, overtime would be one that I would say is one that universally the committee thought we need to address this.”

In an effort to increase competition within football, changing the overtime rules to promote parity after the coin toss feels like a natural direction for the league. With considerable momentum reportedly behind the movement, it seems like more changes to the existing format are imminent.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott was on the wrong side of NFL history on Sunday.

As the Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl for a shot at a three-peat, head coach Andy Reid became the first head coach in NFL history to defeat another head coach at least four times in the playoffs. The Bills are now 0-4 against the Reid-and-Mahomes playoff Chiefs.

Buffalo and Kansas City have been rock-solid in the regular season over the past half-decade, and the Bills have the edge in the regular season series. Despite regular season wins, though, the Chiefs remain the playoff hump they can’t get over.

In his end-of-season press conference, Bills star quarterback and MVP frontrunner Josh Allen defended McDermott strongly.

“This is going to sound weird – I’m just so proud of Coach,” he said. “I don’t know why he’s not recognized more in the award stuff.”

“Time in and time out, he’s got us in position. He gives his life to this. He is so committed to doing whatever it takes. And to see him adapt and really grow as a coach has been fun to watch. … I respect the hell out of Coach.”

When asked about his confidence level that McDermott would be the coach to get the Bills their first-ever championship, Allen’s answer was immediate.

“Extremely confident,” he said.

The Bills were largely overlooked in the preseason, particularly given the loss of huge pieces like wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Often slated to finish second or third in their division, Allen and the coaching were both huge factors in the season they were able to finish with.

McDermott ends his eighth season with the Bills having gone to the playoffs seven times, never advancing past the AFC Championship.

Buffalo Bills faithful filled a flight out of New York on Saturday, Jan. 25, heading to Kansas City, where their team would face the Chiefs the next day. Footage taken by Buffalo Niagara International Airport shows red, white, and blue-clad fans aboard a plane with giant cutout heads of QB Josh Allen. The Bills were set to play the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday evening. (Credit: Buffalo Niagara International Airport via Storyful)

Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Saquon Barkley have been named as finalists for the NFL MVP Award. As high-performing quarterbacks on top AFC teams this season, Jackson and Allen will likely vie for the top spot, but Barkley’s 2,000-yard rushing season has put him squarely in the conversation.

Burrow and Goff deserve consideration as finalists, but there are serious obstacles barring them from winning the award. Burrow arguably had the best season of his career, carrying a mediocre Bengals team, but only two players in NFL history have won MVP while missing the playoffs. Goff, on the other hand, successfully led an exciting Lions offense from the pocket, but the team benefitted from a run-heavy scheme.

There was a period in 2024 when it seemed inevitable that Allen would win the award. In Weeks 14 and 15 against the Rams and Lions, the Bills quarterback had two monster games in a row, scoring five times through the air and five times on the ground. Buffalo scored 90 combined points in that span.

Carrying his team through the air and on the ground, many were ready to coronate Allen on the spot. But this moment of clarity dissipated nearly as soon as it arrived, as Jackson began a torrid stretch of his own to end the season. The Ravens quarterback and reigning MVP scored 13 combined touchdowns in the final four games, finishing the regular season with 41 passing scores and just four interceptions, along with 915 rushing yards and another four rushing touchdowns. 

While these two passers dueled in the AFC, culminating in a 27-25 Bills victory in the AFC Divisional Round, Barkley was making his own MVP case as a running back in the NFC. In his first season with the Eagles, he helped bring the team back into Super Bowl contention, rushing for 2,005 yards. Becoming the ninth rusher in NFL history to join the 2,000-yard club earned him a spot as an MVP finalist.

The playoffs don’t have any bearing on the MVP race, but all three players were integral in their teams’ success in the regular season. The Bills and Eagles are in their respective conference championship games this weekend, while the Ravens were eliminated by Buffalo in the most competitive game of the divisional round. 

From a statistical standpoint, all three were overwhelmingly valuable to their teams. Despite already winning two MVPs, Jackson had the best season of his career. Allen’s year, in comparison to previous performances, is more arguable, but it is one of his best in terms of both passing and rushing production. Meanwhile, Barkley took full advantage of a new situation in Philadelphia, proving the value of an entire position at a time when running backs are being undervalued. All three are deserving of the award in one of the most competitive races in recent memory.

The play clock wound down with the Buffalo Bills in victory formation. As Josh Allen knelt a final time, cementing the 27-25 divisional round win, he made a beeline to – opposing quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The quarterbacks shared a handshake and a few words in a stunning display of sportsmanship despite their increasingly heated MVP race.

“I got so much respect and love for [Jackson],” Allen later told Tracy Wolfson. “The way he plays the game, he’s a true competitor, he’s a true football player. One of the greatest to ever step on the football field. Nothing but love.”

The game itself wasn’t either player’s best: Buffalo won mainly on the ground, as Allen had just 127 passing yards (but two rushing touchdowns), while Jackson tossed for 254 yards and two touchdowns but lost a fumble and an interception. The ultimate difference? A drop on the two-point conversion from Ravens tight end Mark Andrews.

Both quarterbacks seemed to appreciate the closeness of the game and emphasized each other’s previous success when asked.

“Great players recognize greatness,” said Jackson.

“I told him, ‘Man, go get something. Go win something. MVP or Super Bowl. Do something.’ I want him to be successful.”

Allen and the Bills will be looking to do just that in the AFC Championship next Sunday. They face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, still in the mix for a third consecutive Super Bowl, with the aim to avenge a divisional round heartbreaker last year. And the Chiefs have seemed nearly indomitable all year – save for the Bills’ win over them in Week 11.

Yes, another clash of great quarterbacks is in the cards. For now, though, sportsmanship prevails.

For the first time in his NFL career, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been crowded out of the elite tier. The three-time Super Bowl Champion was not named to the initial 2024 Pro Bowl roster, an honor he has received every year since becoming Kansas City’s starter in 2018.

For all of Mahomes’ accolades and accomplishments, as well as the Chiefs’ current status as Super Bowl favorites, there are few arguments to justify a spot for him in the Pro Bowl. If he competed in the NFC, there would be a remote chance of him pulling rank on the likes of Jared Goff or Jayden Daniels. In the AFC, however, there is no debate. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow are dominating the race for MVP and all three have made an unimpeachable Pro Bowl case. Mahomes has not.

Over the course of the season, Jackson and Allen have delivered virtuoso performances through spectacularly dynamic play. Jackson has thrown for 3,955 yards and 39 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions; Allen has thrown for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns. Jackson has been a consistent menace in the rushing game while Allen has also proven more than capable of running when needed, particularly in several high-scoring games in the past month.

While these two have effortlessly blazed their teams’ trails to playoff berths, Burrow has been on his own mission, singlehandedly carrying an otherwise unremarkable Bengals team back into contention. Seemingly always in close games despite sustained explosive production, he has thrown for 4,641 yards and 42 touchdowns. He’s a staggering one-man show dragging Cincinnati, kicking and screaming, within one game of the postseason heading into Week 18.

On paper, Mahomes’ 2024 statistics aren’t necessarily foreign to this conversation. Closely mirroring Allen in passing, he has thrown for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But Allen has been a threat on the ground as well and had a number of heroic performances in important games. Mahomes has been more conservative, reflecting the Chiefs’ deliberate, grinding approach as a unit this season.

It has happened in the past that great players have sacrificed individual honors for the greater cause. Tom Brady had several seasons that were less productive on paper in the prime of his career, as the Patriots enjoyed elite defensive play that allowed the team to slow down opponents. Brady’s achievements in those seasons were as a general, not a playmaker. 

To say that Mahomes has completely adopted this piloting role would also be misguided. He remains a dynamic talent and the Chiefs are not afraid of creative play calls. His statistics are perfectly reasonable for an elite quarterback. His failure to receive a Pro Bowl invitation is more a result of timing. 

As Mahomes takes a step back in the interest of his team’s thorough and fundamentally sound play, it just so happens that three extremely talented quarterbacks in his conference have all had to step up. The AFC’s top trio of MVP candidates are perpetually on the front line, integral performers each and every week. It’s the role that Mahomes has assumed for the majority of his career. It’s the one he assumed when his entire team infamously failed him in his only Super Bowl defeat in 2021.

When doling out individual honors, the NFL looks for players who have made a singularly valuable contribution to their team, primarily in the form of statistics and victories. In the playoffs, however, the teams that most often succeed are the ones with multiple ways to win. It seems like an increasingly distinct possibility that Mahomes and Kansas City gets the last laugh.

After a slow and uncertain start to the NFL season, an MVP frontrunner has finally emerged. With his historic six-touchdown performance against the Rams on Sunday, Bills quarterback Josh Allen is firmly leading the pack. 

Though Buffalo’s defense no-showed in the 44-42 defeat to Los Angeles, Allen almost singlehandedly carried the AFC East leaders to another win anyway. In addition to 342 passing yards and three touchdowns, he also ran for 82 yards and scored another three on the ground. In a year of relatively unproductive offensive play, it was a statement performance that will certainly earn end-of-year consideration.

Allen may have momentum on his side, but the season is far from over. The Bills quarterback is not dominating the league in any particular category but has successfully piloted Buffalo to a 10-3 season and a presumptive playoff berth. His profile is solid, but it still needs work in the final weeks of the season. 

Meanwhile, there are plenty of MVP candidates still in the running, some relying on statistical edges and others banking on building momentum like Allen has. He’s not the only one to pilot a winning team to this point. Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff and Sam Darnold all have claims as well in this area. 

Jackson, the reigning MVP, has nearly improved on his 2023 season as the undisputed leader of a historically productive Ravens offense. Goff loses some points for benefitting from a run-heavy Lions scheme, but Detroit’s success is due in large part to his efficiency. 

Darnold is the dark horse of the group, a pleasant surprise on a resurgent Vikings team that is now 11-2 and well on its way to the postseason. Before Allen’s jaw-dropping performance against the Rams late last weekend, Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns in a commanding win over the Falcons. Similar performances in the final weeks of the season could help him build a real case.

The MVP award has historically been dominated by quarterbacks, but fans have clamored for several running backs to win the award in recent years. Many have concluded that Derrick Henry was on pace to win the award in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury. Last year, many people called for Christian McCaffrey to beat out Jackson. This year, Saquon Barkley is the backfield darling for many fans. 

In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley has redefined himself as an elite rusher in the NFL, amassing 1,623 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns. He is on pace to shatter his previous career-best performances in nearly every category and lead the Eagles back to Super Bowl contention. The odds are against him in the MVP race, but he remains the strongest non-quarterback contender by a wide margin.

Former Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is reportedly losing ground at the Buffalo Bills’ training camp. The deep threat receiver signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with Buffalo in May but is no longer a sure thing to earn a spot on the final roster.

Buffalo signed Valdes-Scantling, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, with the expectation that he could provide quarterback Josh Allen with a dangerous downfield threat. But after starting training camp taking first-team reps, the 29-year-old has tumbled down the depth chart.

The Bills’ receiving core is still finding its way after Stefon Diggs’ departure, but Valdes-Scantling is still competing with (and reportedly losing out to) rookie Keon Coleman, fellow free agent acquisitions Curtis Samuel and Chase Claypool, and veterans Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins. Young tight end Dalton Kincaid is also shaping up for a career season, while veteran Dawson Knox remains an option.

Despite Valdes-Scantling’s dio to second- and third-team status, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Tuesday that the team was simply taking more time to teach the offense to the veteran receiver.

“One of your older guys, he’s going down there with some of the rookies, but it has nothing to do with performance,” Brady told reporters. “It’s more of, like, I want to make sure you get these plays and you’re getting enough time on task to be able to feel it and roll.”

While Valdes-Scantling’s stock is in an uncertain state, young receiver Tyrell Shavers is on the rise and is reportedly getting more first-team reps than many expected. Shavers, who went undrafted in 2023 out of San Diego State, has been treading water on the Bills’ practice squad for the past year but is currently having a breakout summer in training camp. He remains a long shot to make the roster but is turning heads going into the preseason.

The Buffalo Bills once again fell just short to the Kansas City Chiefs, losing 27-24 in the Divisional Round. Like their previous playoff matchups, the game stayed close as both teams were swapping the lead all night. The Bills had a chance to tie the game with a 44-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Bass with 1:47 remaining, but it missed wide right, handing the Chiefs the victory. 

The Bills had beaten the Chiefs in Kansas City 20-17 in Week 14 of the regular season, but once again fell just short in the playoffs, their third straight loss in the Divisional Round. The kick from Bass, who was kicking a career-low 76.5% throughout the season, veered just right before going past the uprights.

“Ultimately, it’s completely on me. I’ve got to do a better job of getting through to my target,” Bass said. “I feel terrible, you know? I love this team and it hurts. This one hurts bad. Yeah, I’ve got to do a better job.”

Led by quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills managed to get multiple first downs and slowly drive downfield in the final minutes of the game. Buffalo did have chances in their final drive to score in the form of two Allen passes to receivers Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir, but were never able to find the endzone.

“I wish he wouldn’t have been put in that situation. You win as a team, you lose as a team. One play doesn’t define a game, doesn’t define a season,” Allen said about his teammate Bass. “We got to be there for him because again, we execute a couple of plays prior, probably singing a different tune right now.”

By the final whistle, the Bills had outgained Kansas City in total yards, ran 31 more total plays than them, and converted on 7/14 third downs compared to only 1/5 for the Chiefs. Though they led in multiple areas of the stat sheet, Buffalo fell for the third time in four postseasons to Kansas City, a team they just can’t seem to beat down the stretch.

Buffalo won their final five games of the regular season to edge out the Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East title, their fourth in a row. Throughout the season, they were ranked fourth in total yards per game, and on Sunday night, the offense did its job in the first three quarters but were scoreless in the fourth. The team’s defense was ranked ninth in total yards allowed but struggled to stop the Chiefs from scoring in quick fashion multiple times.

“I’m extremely disappointed. I mean, you put so much time into this,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “We put so much time into a season, let alone this game, and the preparation for it, and to come out and to not perform the way I’d hoped we would’ve, it’s extremely disappointing and frustrating.”

The Buffalo Bills’ decision to fire head offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey appears to have quite an effect on the team.

Star quarterback Josh Allen, who has worked with Dorsey since 2019, feels that if the team played better, Dorsey would still be in the job.

“Without a doubt, and I take that very personally,” Allen said. “It hurts a lot to see someone you care about go through a situation like that and to know that if I could have done more, if this offense could have done more, we wouldn’t have had to do something like that.”

It was Head Coach Sean McDermott’s decision to fire Dorsey as the team fell to 5-5 during Monday’s 24-22 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Bills now sit outside the playoff picture heading into Week 11, where they face the New York Jets.

“Our backs are against the wall. The clock’s ticking on what we can do this season and it starts this Sunday to try to turn this thing around. I think it takes a lot to look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘What can I do that’s been good and what can I do to fix what’s been bad?′ That’s what we’ve all got to do,” Allen added. 

The offensive duties have now fallen onto quarterbacks coach Joe Brady, who is now the interim offensive coordinator in place of Dorsey.

Allen has had quite a disappointing season compared to prior campaigns. He has thrown a league-leading 11 interceptions as well as giving up three fumbles.

Josh Allen told reporters that he does not feel capable of playing quarterback as he has been for the duration of his NFL career. The mobile Buffalo Bills passer has become well known for his scrambling ability, as well as his arm and penchant for risk-taking in and out of the pocket.

“It sounds crazy, but I’m getting older,” Allen said on Tuesday. “I can’t continue to do this. I know when I’m using my youth, I feel like I can, but over the course of my career I’m going to have to learn to adapt and change.”

In five seasons with the Bills, Allen has thrown 18,397 yards and 138 touchdowns while also rushing for over 3,087 yards and another 38 touchdowns. His production on the ground has become an integral part of his game, one that allows him more time to throw as defenders struggle to contain him.

For many fans, thinking of Allen as a pure pocket passer may seem unnatural after so many memorably dynamic moments. While it’s unlikely that this change will happen all at once, it is nevertheless inevitable that the quarterback will have to adjust as his career wears on.

“I’ve always had the mindset of, I’ve been a football player first and a quarterback second, and at some point, that is going to have to switch,” Allen said. “When that point is, I don’t know. I guess I’ll let my body tell me.”

In a modern NFL era placing a premium on multi-faceted quarterbacks, Allen stands out as one of the more durable stars of the game. This makes his doubts about longevity even more concerning. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who shares a similar risk-taking mindset, was at the center of this debate last season after sustaining multiple head injuries and missing much of Miami’s season.

Others, like Lamar Jackson, have received even more criticism for their play style, which some say leaves them to vulnerable to injury. Improvisational passers like Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray have also been subjects of concern as fans and analysts alike question their ability to maintain their playstyles over the course of their careers.

Free agent quarterback Cam Newton may still be hesitant to the idea, but after a season out of the league, the former star passer is reportedly considering roles as a backup quarterback in the NFL. Newton released a list of 12 quarterbacks he would be willing to play behind.

While none of the teams with quarterbacks on the list have expressed legitimate interest in signing Newton, who last played for the Carolina Panthers in 2021, it is still interesting to consider the incentive each potential team might have for signing the aging quarterback. To find a way back to the NFL, Newton would have to serve each of his 12 preferred passers in different ways.

1. Deshaun Watson

As a highly touted quarterback slowly readjusting to competition in the NFL, Watson’s struggles in his first season with the Browns are difficult to assess. Due to glaring incidents in Watson’s personal life, his future as a member of the Houston Texans was derailed and Cleveland took a flyer on him under the assumption that he could be valuable following his suspension. As his backup, Newton would have to prove himself to be a viable contingency option if the problematic starter fails to regain form next season or runs into more trouble off the field. With Jacoby Brissett out of the picture, Newton would have to compete with recent signee Joshua Dobbs for the backup role.

2. Lamar Jackson

Jackson is the first of many quarterbacks on this list with an uncertain future, as it is still unclear if the Baltimore Ravens will agree to his terms for a new contract or trade him to another team. In any case, the team that eventually signs Jackson will have to build an offense around his rushing ability. Newton was a mobile quarterback in his younger years, but if he had to take the field for some reason to replace the starter, it is unlikely that he could still be as threatening on the ground. His primary purpose as a backup in this scenario would likely be as a positive locker room presence for a growing player.

3. Justin Fields

Unlike Jackson, Fields is almost certain to remain in Chicago after the team traded its first overall pick to the Panthers. Similarly to Jackson, however, the team’s offense will likely revolve around his versatile ability as a rusher. Newton seems to believe that he can serve as a viable backup within that sort of offense, a dubious notion at this point in his career. That being said, his experience in the league could prove helpful in teaching a younger talent with a similar skill set. The Bears recently signed P.J. Walker for the job behind Fields.

4. Tua Tagovailoa

While injury risks are an issue for both Jackson and Fields, it is practically imperative that Tagovailoa have a serviceable backup after his multiple setbacks last season. If Newton was the backup in Miami, it is unfortunately more likely than not that he would receive some playing time based on the starter’s injury history. The Dolphins still have Skylar Thompson, who nearly led the team to an upset victory against the Bills in the playoffs, and also signed former Jets backup Mike White.

5. Malik Willis

Of all the quarterbacks on Newton’s list, Willis is arguably the strangest, as he could end up a backup himself if the Tennessee Titans don’t trade Ryan Tannehill or pursue other options at the position. Willis’ rookie season was limited but also profoundly disappointing, as the quarterback showed very little during his time on the field. If Newton was the backup behind Willis, he would have to serve in a mentoring role, but there would also be a distinct possibility of playing time for the backup if Willis didn’t improve.

6, 7 and 8. C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson

Newton clearly wants to work with young quarterbacks. Because they have not yet been drafted to a team, it’s almost impossible to assess whether Newton could feasibly serve as the backup for any of these highly touted passers. That being said, his status as a Heisman winner and first overall pick in 2011 could make him an excellent mentor for any of them, particularly Richardson, who has mirrored Newton in many ways as a tremendous college athlete. Richardson even compared himself to Newton in March.

9. Jalen Hurts

Barring an unforeseen injury, it is unlikely that Newton would ever see the field in a significant capacity while working behind Hurts. The Eagles also signed Marcus Mariota during the offseason as a backup. Hurts is still developing as a passer, but after appearing in a Super Bowl, it is unlikely that Hurts would significantly benefit from Newton as a locker room presence.

10. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is still unofficially a New York Jet and officially a member of the Green Bay Packers. Regardless of where he ends up playing in 2023, it is very difficult to understand how Newton could serve as a contributive presence on a team featuring Rodgers, who famously has a very controlling locker room presence. As a player, Newton would only be of service if Rodgers regressed suddenly with age, and it would be more prudent for a team to have a younger quarterback ready in that case.

11. Josh Allen

Allen is good at football and the Bills will be a Super Bowl contender for years to come. His potent arm and physical rushing ability resemble Newton’s at his peak as well, so it makes sense why Newton might want to take a job behind him in upstate New York. The Bills also lack a credible backup option for their star, who has proven highly durable thus far but could always suffer an unforeseen injury. Of all the possible landing spots on Newton’s list, this one has the least drawbacks.

12. Sam Howell

As one of the most vulnerable starters in the NFL, Howell could provide a very convenient way for Newton to return to the field as a starter. Howell only appeared in one game for the Washington Commanders last year and enters his second season on a team without any serious prospects of making the postseason. Washington has already signed Brissett as a capable backup in case things go awry for the young upstart. Newton would have served a nearly identical role, but his potential is far more uncertain than Brissett’s, who started in Cleveland for most of last season.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has shown remarkable progress since a frightening injury on the football field Monday that has shaken up the entire NFL world.

In the past 24 hours, in particular, the former six-round pick has had his oxygen tube removed and can now breathe on his own.

“His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team,” The Bills said in a Twitter post.

In addition, Hamlin Face-Timed into the Bills’ meeting today and stated “love you boys” to his teammates, coaches and staff members.

The latest developments seem monumental considering the state Hamlin was in just a few days ago.

On Monday Night Football, Hamlin in the first quarter collapsed after taking contact from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgin and went into cardiac arrest.

Doctors immediately provided CPR to the 24-year-old and were able to revive him.

Hamlin was taken to the hospital and was declared in critical condition later on Monday – but has continued to progress since then.

Many doctors believe the unfortunate timing of the chest blow caused Hamilin’s heart to stop.

Bills star quarterback Josh Allen stood up for Higgins after seeing him get criticism on social media.

“That’s a football play and I hope he doesn’t hold that upon himself because there’s nothing else he could’ve done in that situation,” Allen told reporters Thursday. “Hopefully he found some relief today.”

While the Bills looked traumatized after seeing their teammate collapse on Monday, Allen and head coach Sean McDermott said Thursday that they now feel ready to play football on Sunday considering the progress that’s been made.

The Bills will play the rival New England Patriots on Sunday.

If the Bills win and the Kansas City Chiefs lose, the Bills would get a first-round bye week.

There are a number of other scenarios – but if both teams win on Sunday then the AFC championship game will be played at a “neutral site.”

The Bills and Bengals game will not be resumed after being suspended on Monday after the scare.

Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen suffered an injury in Sunday’s stunning loss to the New York Jets and it’s unclear if he will be able to play next week

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bills star quarterback was stripped and sacked by edge rusher Bryce Huff.

The replay showed Allen’s forearm bend awkwardly.

On the very next play, Allen under through a receiver and was in noticeable pain and stretched out his wrist.

And it was thought to not be a big deal after Allen nearly completed an improbable 70 yard bomb down the field, which could have won or tied the game late against the Jets.

But there is still some concern.

Sports medicine expert David Chao, who goes by @ProFootballDoc on Twitter, fears that Allen may have suffered an ulnar ligament sprain, or an ulnar nerve issue.

Chao in a video noted that Allen missed four games with an ulnar ligament sprain in his rookie season with the Bills.

“You can throw a ball with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain,” Chao said.

“But if you’re the Buffalo Bills and there’s even this much risk that he takes another similar hit before it fully heals it could become a complete tear.”

He further warned that he could need surgery if that happens.

So the Bills could be playing with fire if they rush him back.

Currently, the team is 6-2 and will play the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings next week, followed by the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

The latter two of the two teams have a combined five wins on the season.

And even without Allen, the Bills are a good enough team to manage without him for a bit.

According to Legal Sports Bet, the team is the favorite still to win the super bowl at +225.

More than anything else, the Bills need to prioritize the bigger picture and have Allen miss a few games if needed to be.

The injury is unfortunate, but not a disaster – at least yet.

NFL Insider Ian Rapport reported that Allen is “likely to be limited this week” and it does not sound like he will be kept out of the game against the Vikings at the moment.

But he was said to be undergoing tests.

The Bills practice on Wednesday and we should learn more about Allen then.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the NFL’s oft-loathed overtime rule, which helped propel the team Sunday evening to the AFC Championship game, “kind of stinks.”

In an exciting Divisional Round tilt that’s already being billed as one of the best playoff games of all time, the signal-caller threw three touchdowns to lead the Chiefs past the Bills 42-36.

It was a back-and-forth affair before the Bills took a three-point lead with just 13 seconds left. It looked like the team was about to erase decades of misery and head to its first championship game in nearly 30 years.

However, KC answered right back with a pair of pass plays that set up a Harrison Butker 49-yard field goal to it to overtime, during which the Chiefs won the coin toss and chose to receive the kickoff. A Travis Kelce touchdown catch ended the game and any hopes the Bills had of continuing their season.

The NFL’s overtime rules say that “each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball” unless the team that wins the coin toss “first scores a touchdown on the opening possession.”

The Chiefs have been on the other end of the overtime rule, as in the 2019 AFC Championship game then-New England Patriots QB Tom Brady threw a game-winning TD on the opening OT drive to end it.

Mahomes was sympathetic of Buffalo’s plight.

“It worked out well for us this time, but sometimes whenever you got two teams going back and forth like you’re going, it kind of stinks that you don’t get to see the other guy go,” he said.

“I’ll take the win this time. Obviously it hurt me last time. All you can do is play the rules the way the rules are explained. That’s what we did today.”

Bills coach Sean McDermott said he was “devastated” by the way they lost, but QB Josh Allen didn’t complain.

“They made some good plays there at the end, and unfortunately the coin toss went the way it went,” said Allen, who threw four touchdowns. “The rules are what they are, and I can’t complain about that. Because if it was the other way around, we’d be celebrating, too. So, it is what it is at this point. And we just didn’t make enough plays tonight.

“We’ve just got to use this as fuel. Fuel for the fire.”

The Chiefs will play the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game on January 30. The winner will face the winner of the Rams-49ers game in Super Bowl LVI on February 13.

The NFL schedules have been released and all teams have announced their respective schedule. This upcoming season also marks the start of the 17-game regular-season format.

This time we will be looking at the Buffalo Bills‘ regular-season schedule. The reigning AFC East division champions made a good playoff run. The team is led by emerging star quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo has made a lot of progress in recent years but they are hoping to make the Super Bowl in 2021.

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2021 Buffalo Bills Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 2: Sunday 09/19 at Miami Dolphins
• Week 3: Sun 09/26 at Washington Football Team
• Week 4: Sun 10/03 vs Houston Texans
• Week 5: Sun 10/10 at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 6: Mon 10/18 at Tennessee Titans
• Week 7: Sun 10/31
• Week 8: BYE Week
• Week 9: 11/07 at Jacksonville Jaguars
• Week 10: 11/14 at New York Jets
• Week 11: 11/21 vs Indianapolis Colts
• Week 12: 11/25 at New Orleans Saints
• Week 13: 12/06 vs New England Patriots
• Week 14: 12/12 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 15: TBD vs Carolina Panthers
• Week 16: Sun 12/26 at New England Patriots
• Week 17: 01/02 vs Atlanta Falcons
• Week 18: vs New York Jets

AFC East: The Bills are the favorites to win the AFC East. Last season, the Bills won the division easily, winning all six of their divisional games. Regardless, it looks like the only competition the Bills will have are the Dolphins. The Dolphins were the only team in the division that could be a threat. Last season, the Dolphins finished with a 10-6 record and had a division record of 3-3. While it is not a good division record, the Dolphins are still a decent team that should not be underestimated. Regardless, the Bills will easily cruise to another divisional title.

Tough Matchups: Buffalo begins their season with a tough matchup against the Steelers. The Steelers are one of the three teams in the AFC that provides a challenge to the Bills. Week 5 is another exciting game that is a must-watch for fans. The Bills will face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. It will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game between the two teams. That game was closely fought, but Kansas City came out victorious 28-24. This time, Buffalo will be looking for revenge, and it will be one that fans will not want to miss. Week 14 features a game against the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Buffalo and the crew will have to play a strong game to overcome Tom Brady and the Bucs. Another tough game will be in Week 12 against the Saints.

Overall: The Bills schedule does not have very tough games besides the aforementioned ones. Buffalo should easily cruise to another division title and the playoffs.

Prediction: First place in the AFC East (12-5)

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