MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A few weeks ago, this Week 18 matchup between the Jets and Dolphins looked as if it could have major playoff implications for both teams.
Instead, it is only meaningful for one of them.
Both the Jets (7-9) and Dolphins (8-8) have lost five straight games, but Miami now needs to win Sunday and hope the Bills beat the Patriots to make the postseason. The Jets, on the other hand, were eliminated from contention last week.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said they view this week as “another championship game.”
“I know it’s technically not,” Saleh said, “but you have to keep your mindset that any time you have a chance to step on the field, you’ve got to step on the gas and do the absolute best you can.”
The Jets will have Joe Flacco starting at quarterback after Mike White was ruled out due to broken ribs. Zach Wilson will serve as his backup, and the way this Jets season has gone, would anyone be surprised if he is pressed into action?
The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Seahawks last week.USA TODAY SportsJets coach Robert SalehCorey Sipkin
During this losing streak, the Jets have been terrible on offense, scoring just four touchdowns in their past five games and none in their past two. It seems unlikely that Flacco, who last started in Week 3, can jump-start the offense.
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With a makeshift offensive line and Flacco back at quarterback, this game feels like a preseason game. But the Jets swear they will be motivated to play.
“You’ve got to go back to the reason you come to work,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said, “and that’s to win, play for you brothers and represent yourself.”
Though the Jets know their season will end on Sunday, the Dolphins still can sneak in.
“You’ve got to win, that’s all it comes down to,” Dolphins safety Jevon Holland said. “Whatever you got to do, however you got to prepare. You’ve got to win.”
The Jets have not swept the Dolphins since 2015 and have not won at Miami since 2014. Though his team no longer has the postseason to play for, Saleh believes the Jets will show up.
Jets QB Mike White (5) is helped off the field after a sack during the fourth quarter in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 1, 2023.Getty Images
“One thing I love about this league is that when those players put those helmets on, they’re professionals, they get it,” Saleh said. “There’s a lot of pride in players, there’s a lot of pride in coaches to go out there, and regardless of your record, to go out there and do your absolute best. So, I’m not worried about our guys getting up for this game and trying to play spoiler.”
The Jets’ offensive line is limping to the finish line.
The unit will be without three starters on Sunday against the Dolphins in left tackle Duane Brown (shoulder), right tackle George Fant (knee) and right guard Nate Herbig (calf). Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who started for Herbig last week against the Seahawks, is also questionable with a knee injury and will be a game-time decision.
Expected to fill in on the line are left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, right tackle Mike Remmers and right guard Dan Feeney.
“We got a bunch of fighters is what we got,” head coach Robert Saleh said when asked who he has remaining. “It’s going to be good. It’s going to be an opportunity for Ogbuehi. We’ve got Remmers, Feeney has been looking for an opportunity. So, there’s guys who are looking for that opportunity, and I’m sure they’re very excited about it.”
Duane Brown is one of three starting Jets offensive lineman who will miss the season finale. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
If Remmers gets the start for Fant, he would become the 11th different offensive lineman to start a game for the Jets this season. Either way, it will mark the Jets’ ninth different starting offensive line combination this season. Left guard Laken Tomlinson and center Connor McGovern are the only two linemen to start every game.
Brown and Fant have been battling through injuries all season, but Saleh said “the wheels fell off” for Week 18.
“Duane, I’m surprised he made it this far, he could’ve called it quits after training camp,” Saleh said. “So just thankful for him. You talk about a dude who loves football and just gave this team everything when he didn’t have to. … With George, he’s been battling on one leg all year and he just needs to get healthy and get himself to the offseason. With Herbie, same thing, he was dealing with a calf and then the other calf blew on him. They’re hurt.”
CB Brandin Echols (quad) and S Lamarcus Joyner (hip) were also ruled out for Sunday.
S Ashtyn Davis (ankle), TE C.J. Uzomah (ankle) and S Jordan Whitehead (hamstring) were listed as questionable, though Saleh said before practice Friday that he expected all three to play.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, ruled out QB Tua Tagovailoa because of a concussion and listed backup Teddy Bridgewater as questionable with knee and right finger injuries. But coach Mike McDaniel confirmed to reporters that third-string QB Skylar Thompson will start.
Every NFL season is strange, and 2022 was no different. But one of the weirdest things about this season was how it lacked the meteoric rise of an off-the-radar player.
We didn’t have a mid-round pick finish in the top five or 10, like Deebo Samuel last season. You didn’t have a player go from complete obscurity to top-three at his position, like Robert Tonyan in 2020. You didn’t get a surprising vault to the top like Lamar Jackson in 2019.
Primarily, the top of the scoring charts were dominated by those who were near the top of draft boards. That virtually eliminated draft value as a component in choosing our fantasy MVP, which means it came down to performance and availability, and separation from positional peers.
The Madman just can’t award the MVP to a QB. Even if it was harder than normal to get by at QB this season, it still isn’t as hard as dealing with subpar running backs or wide receivers.
Speaking of running backs and wide receivers, they again populated the top of the scoring charts. Yet the top four RBs only had about one PPR point per week separating them on average. The top four wide receivers had a similar quad cluster at the top. The top QB outscored the next best QB by less than a point per week.
There was one position that had a clear runaway leader, someone so far ahead that the next best option finished nearly a touchdown per week behind, a guy who scored almost 100 more in PPR than the next best option.
The Madman’s fantasy MVP this season, for the first time ever, is a tight end: the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.
Travis Kelce looks to evade the Broncos’ Josey Jewell after making a catch during a Chiefs game earlier this season.Getty Images
BEST QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs — A late-season injury took leader Jalen Hurts out of contention. Mahomes was just a touch better than Josh Allen over the course of the season and in the fantasy playoffs. Honorable mentions: Hurts (Eagles), Allen (Bills), Joe Burrow (Bengals).
BEST RB: Austin Ekeler, Chargers — Tight call with Christian McCaffrey. But Ekeler finished more than a point better per week in PPR. Honorable mentions: McCaffrey (Panthers/49ers), Josh Jacobs (Raiders).
BEST WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings — This one is closer than it might appear. Jefferson was a monster most weeks, but when he wasn’t, he was trash (three games in which he scored fewer than seven in PPR) — and one of those came in the title week. But … he only had one other game in which he dipped below 15, and he had seven games in which he topped 30. Even a great season by Tyreek Hill isn’t enough to overcome those numbers. Honorable mentions: Hill (Dolphins), Davante Adams (Raiders), Stefon Diggs (Bills).
BEST ROOKIE: Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets — Maybe Jets RB Breece Hall would have run way with this if he hadn’t been injured. But as it stands, instead, we give it to his teammate. Honorable mentions: Chris Olave (WR, Saints), Kenneth Walker (RB, Seahawks).
Garrett Wilson was a great pickup for fantasy owners.Corey Sipkin
Big weeks
Aaron Rodgers QB, Packers, vs. Lions (FanDuel $7,100/DraftKings $6,000)
The best way to try to navigate Week 18 fantasy chaos is to lean on players whose teams have something to play for. It has been a rough fantasy season for Rodgers, but with playoffs on the line, at home, against the league’s worst defense vs. QBs, we’re OK using him here.
Trevor Lawrence QB, Jaguars, vs. Titans (FD $8,000/DK $6,100)
A do-or-die game, with a QB on the rise. We’re not worried about his toe injury, and Lawrence doesn’t have to worry about Tennessee’s poor pass defense.
Trevor Lawrence has made an impact for fantasy owners.Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Allgeier RB, Falcons, vs. Buccaneers (FD $6,500/DK $5,600)
Getting good volume since Atlanta’s Week 14 bye. Facing a Bucs team with nothing to play for other than to avoid injury.
D.J. Moore WR, Panthers, at Saints (FD $7,300/DK $6,100)
Seems to be clicking with QB Sam Darnold (TD in four of five games). Not worried about motivation for eliminated Panthers, since everyone is playing and coaching for their jobs.
Small weaks
Justin Herbert QB, Chargers, at Broncos (FD $7,500/DK $6,800)
It makes no sense for the Chargers to risk Herbert with little to gain and him still nursing a shoulder ailment. Oh, and Denver has the league’s second-best defense vs. opposing fantasy QBs, so there’s that, too.
Christian McCaffrey RB, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (FD $10,000/DK $9,300)
Shot at No. 1 seed is very slim and not worth the risk to CMC, who is dealing with ankle and knee issues. Plus, Elijah Mitchell could return this week. Expect more Jordan Mason as well.
Christian McCaffrey wasn’t helpful for fantasy owners this past week.Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Clement RB, Cardinals, at 49ers (FD $5,700/DK $4,900)
People might be tempted, with James Conner out. But facing the league’s top run defense, without a legitimate NFL quarterback or passing-game threat, and an RB who has more than 10 carries just once in the past four seasons? No thanks.
Garrett Wilson WR, Jets, at Dolphins (FD $7,100/DK $5,800)
It should go without saying at this point: Don’t play Wilson. Joe Flacco has gotten the call, and some will point to Wilson’s monster Week 2 with him. But we would counter with his humdrum Weeks 1 and 3.
Insanity’s Daily Duel
Site: DraftKings Slate: Sun main (13 games) Type: $20 tourney Top prize: $1M
Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley staying healthy, leading the Giants into the playoffs and playing so well that lucrative new contracts are sure to follow are all achievements considered to be improbable, implausible and perhaps even impossible when this all kicked off several months ago.
The individual who brought Jones and Barkley to the Giants is thrilled — but not surprised — it has worked out this way.
“I’m proud as hell, they both persevered and fought through,’’ Dave Gettleman, the former Giants general manager, told The Post on Friday. “You talk about mental toughness, for Saquon to fight through those injuries and not getting a contract and being forced to play out his fifth year, he had to have a lot of confidence in himself, show some mental toughness.
“And Daniel, the same thing. He’s in his third system in four years. Of course I’m proud of them. I’m really happy for them. It’s not because it justifies me. It justifies them.’’
Dave Gettleman is happy to watch the players he drafted make the playoffs. Getty Images
More than anything else, the success or failure of high draft picks define a general manager’s tenure with a team. Gettleman’s first selection with the Giants was Barkley, taken No. 2 overall in 2018. No one questioned Barkley’s ability, but the value of a running back as a top-five pick was certainly a worthwhile debate.
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A year later, it was no secret the Giants were in the quarterback market, with the aging icon franchise Eli Manning on the downside of his 16-year career. It was not considered a strong draft for quarterbacks in 2019 and Gettleman defied most draft prognostications by taking Jones, out of Duke, at No. 6 overall.
Barkley was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year but injuries to his ankle and knee — a torn ACL limited him to only two games in 2020 —dulled much of his luster. Jones, only two games into his rookie year, replaced Manning and showed great promise before a new coaching staff and new offensive systems, plus nagging injuries and a neck issue down the stretch in 2021 spawned questions if he was the answer at the most important position on the field.
Through it all, both players endured, thrived under first-year head coach Brian Daboll and carried the Giants to a record of 9-6-1 and their first playoff berth since 2016 heading into the regular-season finale against the Eagles.
“It’s been proven time and time again, you draft a kid in the first round, you’re the New York Giants or the New York Jets, he better be able to handle New York,’’ Gettleman said. “Because it ain’t easy.
“New York’s a tough place and it’s a tough place when things aren’t going right. I’m just proud they stuck to it and not been bothered by things that are written and said. I’m thrilled for those kids. They’re good people. Good young men.’’
Daniel Jones smiles during the Giants’ win over the Colts on Jan. 1. Robert Sabo for the NY POSTSaquon Barkley was picked No. 2 in the 2018 NFL draft by Dave Gettleman. Getty Images
Gettleman after four years as the general manager saw the writing on the wall and opted for retirement after the Giants went 4-13, triggering a housecleaning that sent Joe Judge packing and ushered in Daboll and new general manager to lead another rebuild.
Gettleman, 71, splits his time between his homes in New Jersey and Cape Cod. His fingerprints are all over the current Giants roster. Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (first round, 2019) and left tackle Andrew Thomas (first round, 2020) are centerpieces and budding stars. Safeties Xavier McKinney (second round, 2020) and Julian Love (fourth round, 2019) are fixtures on the back end of the defense. Azeez Ojulari (second sound, 2021) is a rising pass rusher. The trade with the Jets for Leonard Williams imported a versatile interior defensive lineman and the free agent signing of Graham Gano provided Daboll with one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers.
“Am I happy the guys are doing well? I’m thrilled,’’ Gettleman said. “Daniel and Saquan and Andrew Thomas and Dexter, where do you want me to stop? I’m thrilled they’re all playing well. They’re maturing as players and they’re getting coached.’’
There were notable Gettleman misfires, of course: DeAndre Baker and Kadarius Toney in the draft, Kenny Golladay in free agency, salary cap miscalculations. Any time a top executive leaves behind a young quarterback with promise, though, it is a resume-enhancer.
“Daniel hasn’t changed,’’ Gettleman said. “He’s always been hard-working, athletic, tough, smart. We all have to learn our craft. Sad thing, in the society we live in right now and the culture we have, there’s no patience for anything.
“I’ve always been confident with the pick. You look at the quarterbacks that have been brought in, that are getting drafted high, people were just taking shots and taking chances. A lot of GMs and owners acquiesce to the media and public opinion. You take a guy with the sixth pick in the draft, if you don’t believe he’s gonna be successful, what planet, what are you doing? I’ve never backed off of the pick, never once did I ever shake my head and say ‘boy, did I f–k up.’ Not once.
“If you were gonna bet money on a guy, that’s a guy you would bet on.’’
Make no mistake, Najee Harris did not live up to his anticipated fantasy football production this season. And he certainly didn’t deliver first-round value despite his top-eight average draft position.
But at least he played every game, right? And he performed OK, even if it wasn’t RB1 standards? Well, that kind of made it worse. He was always available, so fantasy managers were always inclined to use him. So he dragged down your team all season.
When you take a player that high, you are expecting excellence, not pedestrian numbers — just two top-10 weeks all season. But it can get worse.
The consensus top-overall fantasy pick in 2022 was Jonathan Taylor. Now, he did get injured and is out for the season. And you’re right, players whose seasons were ruined by injury aren’t candidates for the Madman’s Bust of the Year ignominy. But here’s the thing: Taylor’s season was ruined long before his season-ending injury.
With even a higher draft cost than Harris, Taylor turned in similar numbers — just two top-10 weeks, six weeks in the first 15 when he fell outside RB2 status. Now, he did miss some games in that span (Weeks 5-6 and Week 9).
When he got back on the field in Week 10, he looked “fixed” — 147 yards and a touchdown, good enough for RB1 that week. And he followed that with weeks in which he ranked 13, 12 and 19 among RBs. Not great, but much better than the 38, 57, 48, etc., he sprinkled across the first eight weeks.
Then Taylor left early in Week 15 with an ankle injury, and that was the end of his 2022. His 13.3 PPR average at that point ranks just 19th on the season. He was in and out of your lineup for most of the year, spreading his disappointing year into the start of the fantasy playoffs.
That is enough to earn Taylor the disgrace of the Madman’s Bust of the Year.
Russell Wilson, Broncos — Look, we weren’t expecting the world, but as the 10th QB drafted, most fantasy managers anticipated being able to cash in on his relative cheap draft cost the way they had Matthew Stafford or Aaron Rodgers the year before. Boy, did Russ disappoint. He ranks as QB18 and had just one week during the fantasy regular season when he finished in the top 12, before two strong games in the fantasy playoffs long after teams that had him had either dropped him or been eliminated.
Allen Robinson II, Rams — Yeah, we know, he has been out since Week 12 with a foot injury. But he was drafted WR21, 57th overall. Before his injury, he was WR54 with just two games when he scored in the top 24.
Allen Robinson II #1 of the Los Angeles Rams stretches for the ballGetty Images
Kyle Pitts, Falcons — Another for whom injury played a factor, but he was so bad before his season ended in Week 11. The third tight end drafted on average, he cracked the top 12 just three times and was TE22 on average.
Dishonorable TE mention: Mark Andrews (Ravens). He was drafted as the TE2 and delivered a TE3 season. That is nothing to complain about. The problem is, the vast bulk of his production came in the first half of the year. After Week 6, he was averaging 19.1 in PPR and ranked behind only Travis Kelce. Since then, he is TE15 at 8.4 per game.
The quarterback carousel keeps spinning in Washington.
The Commanders are benching Carson Wentz again for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cowboys, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Taylor Heinicke will reportedly get the start at home, with rookie backup Sam Howell slated to finish the game. Howell, a fifth-round pick in 2022, has yet to make his NFL debut.
The quarterback move comes after the Commanders put up just 10 points in a loss Sunday to the Browns, who eliminated Washington from playoff contention. Wentz — who was 16-of-28 for 143 yards — threw three interceptions in his first start since returning from a surgically-repaired broken finger he sustained in Week 6.
After the loss, head coach Ron Rivera said he did not regret his decision to start Wentz over Heinicke.
The Commanders are reportedly benching quarterback Carson Wentz for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cowboys. GettyCommanders quarterback Carson Wentz runs the ball against Browns safety Grant Delpit during the second quarter at FedExField on Jan. 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. Getty Images
“No, because to me it was always about winning and that it was in our hands,” Rivera told reporters Monday. “I mean, we controlled our destiny basically and that’s the truth of the matter. Being 0-2-1 in the last three games was probably a thing that really pushed me more than anything else. And that’s what I looked at. And as I said, coming off of the last quarter of the 49ers game, I was relatively optimistic in terms of dealing with what Carson could do.
“I thought we could run the ball. I think we could have run the ball a little bit better even though we did run it well. And I think that could have helped us a little bit more. But again, it’s the decision that was made because I felt we needed a little something, after going that stretch of 0-2-1.”
Rivera, though, said he contemplated reverting back to Heinicke, but ultimately stuck with Wentz when Washington fell behind by 14, as he knew some downfield throws would be necessary, according to ESPN.
Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a game at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 24, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. Getty ImagesCommanders quarterbacks Carson Wentz (11) and Taylor Heinicke (4) during their loss to the Giants at FedEx Field on Dec. 18, 2022. The Washington Post via Getty Im
Heinicke was benched following a dip in performance in back-to-back losses to the Giants and 49ers. He was replaced by Wentz in the fourth quarter against San Francisco.
Washington went 5-3-1 with Heinicke as the starter after Wentz broke his right ring finger on Oct. 13. The 29-year-old is a free agent after this season.
Wentz — whom the Colts traded to the Commanders this offseason — will be inactive on Sunday in what could be his last game with Washington. The 30-year-old has two years left on his contract, with no guaranteed money.
Wentz started the first six games of the season, completing 144 of 232 passes for 1,489 yards, 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions. In that time, the quarterback was also sacked 23 times and fumbled six times.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin might have been a fraction of a second away from moving on to the next play.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest Monday night when he collapsed on the field in Cincinnati, was administered CPR under life-or-death circumstances and hospitalized in critical condition after what one independent board-certified cardiologist saw as a collision at the time in the cardiac cycle when the heart is most vulnerable.
“That hit had to occur at a certain point in time that was only five milliseconds long,” said Dr. Marc Cohen, Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Newark-Beth Israel Medical Center. “If that hit occurred one millisecond after or before, this may not have happened.”
What looked like a routine (by NFL standards) tackle by Hamlin on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins resulted in Hamlin getting to his feet, adjusting his facemask and immediately falling onto his back as horrified players from both sides watched trainers, paramedics and doctors assist with his breathing and restore his heartbeat.
Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) suffered cardiac arrest after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins (85) on Jan. 2, 2023.AP
One common medical explanation is commotio cordis, though that is considered more an instantaneous reaction that would be a challenge to explain how Hamlin rose to his feet.
Cohen’s expertise suggested several issues at play.
“There is a time in the cycle of the heart where we are at risk. If we were to tap the heart, we can cause the heart to go into ventricular fibrillation,” Cohen told The Post. “More likely than not, what happened is he got up and his rhythm became chaotic. That may have taken a few seconds to occur.”
Cohen also noticed on replay that Higgins stopped Hamlin’s chest when they collided, but Hamlin’s head snapped back and forth.
Josh Allen (17) and other Bills players react after Damar Hamlin’s collapse on Jan. 2, 2023.Getty Images
“When your head goes ping-ponging, it’s very possible that a tremendous amount of adrenaline may be released,” Cohen said, “and that adrenaline triggers the heart to go into a chaotic rhythm, which we call ventricular fibrillation.”
The third possibility that occurred to Cohen from afar is similar to what was commonly seen in car-crash victims who slammed into the steering wheel before the popularization of the seat belt and airbag.
“You would tear your aorta at a certain point in your chest, where the rest of you is going forward, but your aorta is pinned down by some ligaments,” Cohen said. “That would cause a catastrophic tear.”
Bills safety Damar Hamlin after a game against the Titans on Sept. 19, 2022.Getty Images
In all three possibilities, on-field defibrillation could have revived Hamlin’s heartbeat, but the unknown is whether the heart is pumping enough blood to the rest of the body, including the breathing center in the brain.
The vulnerable period within each cardiac cycle is only a few milliseconds long, when the heart is most susceptible to degeneration from a sudden physical impact.
The Bills released a statement that Hamlin spent the night at the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and remains in critical condition. The Bills-Bengals game was suspended and will not be resumed this week.
Cohen credited the first-responders for quick action on the field and said this should be a “wake-up call” to make sure safety equipment is readily available throughout cities to encourage bystander CPR.
Bill Belichick did not want to talk much about Tom Brady’s movie.
The film “80 for Brady” comes out in February, featuring four elder women traveling to Houston to watch Brady and the Patriots play in Super Bowl LI in 2017. The trailer for the movie features Brady’s former teammates such as Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola.
Belichick was appearing on his weekly spot on “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI, and was asked if Brady had invited him to appear in the movie.
“Yeah, I’ll leave that to Tom,” Belichick said, as covered by NESN. “I’m not going to get involved in anything that he does. Whatever comments there are to be made, they should be made by him, not anybody else. But thanks for asking.”
To this, Hill responded, “Bill would play himself. I feel like you should be in the film, Bill. That’s just me, my own personal opinion.”
Belichick did not respond to this comment, and several seconds passed.
Bill Belichick reacts during the Patriots’ win over the Dolphins on Jan. 1. USA TODAY SportsTom Brady passes during the Buccaneers’ win over the Panthers on Jan. 1. Getty Images
“Alright, Bill, thanks, and we’ll talk to you next week,” Hill said.
Daniel Jones completed 19 of 24 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns and ran 11 times for 91 yards and another two touchdowns. He subbed out of the game to a “Daniel Jones!” chant from the crowd.
Zero
Former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles completed 8 of 13 passes for 81 yards, but his pick-six to Landon Collins late in the second quarter essentially ended the game. He was knocked out of the game by Kayvon Thibodeaux shortly after.
Unsung hero
Richie James made seven catches for 76 yards and scored the game’s first touchdown, as the Giants went ahead 7-3. He has 15 catches for 166 yards over the last two games, coming back from a midseason disappearance.
Richie James celebrates after scoring during the Giants’ win over the Colts on Jan. 1. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Stat
50 Games the Giants’ offense had gone without reaching 30 points (without any help from defense or special teams), since a 41-35 win against the Commanders in Week 16 of the 2019 season.
Quote of the day
“Our goal will never be just to make the playoffs. That will never be just our goal”
— Brian Daboll on the Giants clinching a playoff spot but having more work to do
Pressure up the gut is always an issue, and the Giants are vulnerable in that area. Buckner is a savvy veteran, a 6-foot-7, 295-pound athlete with a proven track record from his four years with the 49ers and three with the Colts. He has 53 career sacks, including eight this season, to go along with 18 quarterback hits. Buckner had 1.5 sacks last week against the Chargers.
The starting guards, Mark Glowinski and Nick Gates (with Ben Bredeson probably getting the bulk of the snaps at left guard), and center Jon Feliciano have all been uneven in their performance — some good, some not so good. Lined up next to Buckner, nose tackle Grover Stewart has four sacks.
DeForest BucknerUSA TODAY SportsMark GlowinskiAP
Paul’s pick
It is going to be unseasonably warm for this New Year’s Day game, and the Giants want to put the heat on an opponent eager to get to the finish line for this season. The defense is getting healthier, and the Colts, without injured stud running back Jonathan Taylor, do not present many scoring threats. Saquon Barkley seems due to bust a long one. This should be a day for the home team to ring in 2023 in style.
Giants 27, Colts 16
Four downs
New territory: No Giants player who will get in the game Sunday has ever been to the playoffs with the team. As much as this is all new for so many of them, there are plenty of players with college experience in big bowl games and huge rivalry games. Does it translate to the NFL and these win-and-in affairs?
“I would say the atmosphere would be similar, but I’ve never been to a playoff game, so I don’t know what the playoffs are like,’’ said left tackle Andrew Thomas, a three-year starter at Georgia. “I think it’s different. At Georgia, we played some teams that you have a week off playing smaller schools and stuff like that. In the NFL … every week, you’re going against the best in the world.’’
A look at the NFC wild-card picture ahead of the Giants’ win-and-in game against the Colts. NY Post illustration
New man in charge:Mark Glowinski spent five years with the Colts, and from time to time he spotted Jeff Saturday at the team facility. Why not? Saturday was Colts royalty from his 13 seasons as the starting center.
“It’s not like he was a big influence on anything, maybe years back when he was playing and stuff like that,’’ said Glowinski, the Giants’ starting right guard. When the Colts fired Frank Reich after a 3-5-1 start, team owner Jim Irsay shockingly installed Saturday — with no pro or college coaching experience — as the interim head coach. Saturday won his first game, but the Colts have since lost five straight.
“Yeah, it’s definitely a little bit different than you typically see,’’ Glowinski said of Saturday getting the job. “They say it’s what they needed to get their team going. We’ll see what happens.’’
Best and worst: Every coach will say it pretty much every week: Turnovers will decide this game. Sometimes that comes true. This game features the sturdiest and sloppiest teams in the league. The Giants are tied with the Lions for the fewest turnovers this season with 15 — the Giants have lost nine fumbles and have thrown six interceptions. The Colts are at the other end of the spectrum. Their 30 turnovers (13 lost fumbles, 17 interceptions) are the most in the NFL and their giveaway-takeaway rate of minus-13 is also 32nd in the league.
Foles out the barrel:Nick Foles last week made his second NFL start at quarterback since Week 10 of the 2020 season. To say he looked rusty does an injustice to all rusty athletes everywhere. He was dismal, completing 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards and three interceptions. He was sacked seven times as the Colts were buried by the Chargers, 20-3. What a strange career Foles has experienced before, during and after his improbable rise to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl triumph in franchise history after the 2017 season. His record as a starter is 29-28.
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
