Patriots eliminated from playoffs as Bills secure emotional win for Hamlin
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Nyheim Hines has ignited an emotionally charged atmosphere celebrating injured Bills safety Damar Hamlin by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns as Buffalo clinched the AFC’s second play-off seed with a 35-23 win over the New England Patriots.
The loss, coupled with Miami beating the New York Jets, eliminated the Patriots from the play-offs for the second time in three years.
Buffalo will host division rival the Dolphins in the wild-card round next weekend.
The Bills (13-3) closed by winning their last seven regular season games and overcame an emotional week after Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati on Monday night.
The Patriots needed only a win to clinch a play-off berth, but wound up ending the season with five losses in seven games.
Miami beat the New York Jets to make the play-offs for the first time since 2016.
The banged-up Dolphins (9-8) snapped a five-game losing streak, then had to wait a few minutes for Buffalo to defeat New England to make their post-season appearance official.
Cincinnati took advantage of four Baltimore turnovers to set up a rematch in the first round of the play-offs next week.
The AFC North champion Bengals (12-4) – playing on the same field where Hamlin suffered his cardiac arrest six days ago – beat a Ravens team that rested key players ahead of the post-season.
Cincinnati also avoided a coin toss to determine the site of its play-off game against Baltimore.
Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) and backup Tyler Huntley were inactive, and the Ravens rested two of their biggest offensive weapons, Mark Andrews and JK Dobbins.
Pittsburgh beat Cleveland but were eliminated from the play-offs when Miami edged the Jets.
The Steelers (9-8) will have to settle for a 16th straight non-losing season under coach Mike Tomlin, fuelled by a 7-2 finish.
Davis Mills threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Akins on fourth down with 50 seconds left and connected with Akins on the 2-point conversion as Houston beat Indianapolis to cost itself the first pick in April’s draft.
Houston (3-13-1) won twice in the final three weeks to finish second to the Chicago Bears in draft positioning.
Chicago, who lost 29-13 to NFC North champions Minnesota, get the No.1 pick in the draft for the first time since 1947.
Rookie Desmond Ridder’s first two career touchdown passes powered Atlanta past play-offs bound Tampa Bay after Tom Brady broke his own NFL record for completions in a season.
He began the day needing nine completions to top his 2021 single-season record of 485. He set the mark on a five-yard pass to Russell Gage early in the second quarter. Brady left the game late in the first half with 490 completions.
Elsewhere, the Carolina Saints beat New Orleans 10-7.
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© AAP
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