Jason Sanders made a 50-yard field goal late in the game to qualify the Dolphins de Miami for the playoffs in an 11-6 win over the New York Jets.
The Dolphins benefited from the New England Patriots’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in conjunction with their victory in order to secure their berth in the AFC.
This also eliminates from the race the Steelers the Pittsburgh despite their 28-14 victory over the Browns de Cleveland.
The Bills eliminate the Patriots
The buffalo billsalready champions in the Eastern Division, signed an emotional victory in their last game of the regular season in tribute to their teammate Damar Hamlin who is still recovering six days after suffering cardiac arrest in the middle of a match.
They triumphed 35-23 over the New England Patriotswho are thus excluded from the playoffs.
The Bills started the game strong as Nyheim Hines scored a 96-yard punt return touchdown on their first-ever offensive play. It was the first time the Bills had scored a touchdown on a return in three years and three months.
Players and coaches, especially the quarterback Josh Allen and head coach Sean McDermott, were visibly emotional thanks to this hot start.
Allen was also among those who entered the stadium waving a flag with the No. 3 inscribed in honor of Hamlin, who watched the game from his hospital room in Cincinnati. The Bills also paid tribute to the medical personnel who helped save the player’s life during the game.
The Pats tied the game 7-7 when Jacob Meyers caught the ball just in bounds.
Dawson Knox put the Bills ahead with a major early in the second quarter, scoring in the fourth straight game.
Josh Allen has become only the second quarterback in NFL history to have three consecutive seasons with at least 40 touchdowns (passing or rushing), after Drew Brees (2011-2013).
The two clubs, however, retreated to the locker room tied after DeVante Parker’s touchdown.
After a Pats field goal that broke the deadlock in the third quarter, Hines came back on the charge and scored his second touchdown of the game on another punt return, becoming the 11th player in NFL history to achieve this feat of arms and the first since Leon Washington with the Seahawks in 2010. It was then 21-17 in favor of the Bills.
John Brown added to that by catching the ball for 42 yards and Stefon Diggs completed the mark.
