Peter Schrager

NFL Insider & Sideline Reporter

Many years have handed because the Bills and Dolphins have been each main gamers within the AFC. As of this week, it does seem as if each are headed to the playoffs. It would make the primary time since (can we discover the yr) that each the Dolphins and Bills made the match with one in all them being a division winner. And although the Dolphins have now misplaced two video games in a row, it does really feel like this rivalry is sorta, kinda, again from the useless. 

The method the pendulum has swung is definitely wonderful. Do you already know that the Dolphins have been 20-0 towards the Bills within the Seventies? Miami did not lose a single contest to Buffalo for a whole decade! In the ‘80s, issues have been backwards and forwards, after which when the ‘90s got here, it was principally all Buffalo. In truth, the Bills have been 17-4 towards MIami from the primary day Marv Levy took over as head coach in 1987 and the final day Don Shula coached a sport in 1995. That stretch included three playoff victories, together with an AFC Championship Game performed in Joe Robbie Stadium in January of 1993. Dan Marino could not get previous the Bills throughout that period, however he would get previous them within the late ‘90s, when Miami beat Buffalo in a playoff sport — their solely win over the Bills within the postseason — and Jimmy Johnson stomped on a field of Flutie Flake’s afterwards. 

From Brian Cox to Bruce Smith to Marv Levy to Don Shula, the historical past is actual. Everyone’s assuming Miami will likely be overmatched in Saturday’s battle within the parts beneath the lights, however Miami’s combating for his or her playoff lives. I’ll be on the sidelines and am most curious to see what HC Mike McDaniel has to say to his workforce within the days main as much as this showdown. The two franchises have no fondness for one another. Let’s see if they’ll add one other chapter to their wealthy, storied custom.  

Some Jared Goff appreciation 

Can I take a second to say how a lot I admire and respect Jared Goff? A lesser man might have crumbled or disappeared in a gap of self-doubt and pity after the previous 18 months Goff has endured. He was traded for 60 cents on the greenback to the Lions, an add-in on a commerce that additionally included two first spherical picks and a third-round choose for Matthew Stafford. One season into the deal, the Rams appeared to have fleeced the Lions, hoisting a Lombardi Trophy with Stafford beneath heart as Goff struggled on a younger, inexperienced Lions workforce that had the second worst report within the NFL. 

After a 1-6 begin this season, it appeared like that will be that for Goff within the Motor City. Detroit would probably draft a QB, transfer on from Goff, and he’d probably battle for a QB1 job someplace in coaching camp subsequent yr. Then, one thing occurred on the best way to the offseason: the Lions began profitable. And Goff began dealing. And because the Rams continued to lose, Detroit’s offense reached better and better heights. 

Detroit heads to New Jersey to play the Jets this weekend and Goff is eighth within the NFL in passing yards, fifth in passing touchdowns and behind Jalen Hurts, I’d argue he has been the second-best QB in your complete NFC this season. What I really like most about Goff is that he by no means moaned, by no means complained, by no means had a sitdown the place he lashed out on the Rams or responded to his critics or detractors. He simply went about his enterprise and performed soccer. Now, as we enter Week 15, with Detroit one of many hottest groups in soccer, I feel it is assumed that Goff will likely be again subsequent season and the Lions roster seems to be to be in higher form long-term than the one he left behind in Los Angeles. Would the Rams make that commerce over once more? 10 out of 10 instances. But I feel Detroit may say the identical factor. Jared Goff is all class. I’m joyful for him.  

Miles Sanders‘ profession yr 

Lost in all of the Jalen Hurts MVP chatter and love for the Eagles receivers and offensive line this season has been a profession yr from operating again Miles Sanders. Sanders was unbelievable on Sunday towards the Giants, speeding for 144 yards and two touchdowns, eclipsing 1,000 yards speeding on the yr and channeling some Adam Sandler alongside the best way. In a video launched by the Eagles after their blowout win, Sanders was mic’d up and speaking to Hurts about getting the prospect to put a giant block. Sanders stated he would yell like Bobby Boucher, the principle character performed by Sandler in The Waterboy, earlier than flattening an opponent. 

Sanders finally received his likelihood. On one play, Sanders set free a Boucher-like yelp as he thumped Giants exterior linebacker Azeez Ojulari, and he was fired up about it after the whistle.” He did just that, and it was awesome. When Adam Sandler saw it, he tweeted at Sanders, “Love you buddy”. Sanders gave love again. 

Don’t inform me social media is evil. That’s lovely. 

Jordan Mailata on Eagles-Cowboys rivalry: Parsons “ought to fear” about Cowboys

Joy Taylor contends Micah Parsons’ feedback relating to Jalen Hurts are false after he appeared on the VonCast and stated the workforce and system are primarily accountable for Hurts’ success this season.

I spoke to Sanders’ place coach Jemal Singleton on my podcast The Season with Peter Schrager this week, and Coach Singleton stated Sanders confirmed up this low season able to take his sport to a unique stage. He’s carried out simply that. Through simply 13 video games, Sanders has rushed for 1,068 yards and 11 touchdowns whereas catching 18 passes for 85 yards. A free agent after this season, Sanders is not seeking to speak about his future. He’s centered on gobbling up yards, swallowing up defenders within the passing sport and screaming like “The Waterboy”. The Eagles play Chicago this weekend; count on lots extra Sanders this weekend. 

Reason for concern in Big D?

The Cowboys received in heroic trend final week, driving 98 yards within the ultimate minutes to beat the Texans 27-24. Tony Pollard performed nice and Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup made huge performs when it mattered most. But one thing was a bit of off, and that one thing was the often stout Dallas protection. Against an overmatched Texans offensive line and a combo platter of Davis Mills and Jeff Driscoll, the Cowboys had zero sacks towards the Texans in Week 14. It’s the primary time the Cowboys had zero sacks in a sport this season. This is especially odd contemplating Dallas leads the NFL with 48 sacks and had no less than two sacks in each different sport this season. Micah Parsons was significantly quiet. The man everybody has topped because the DPOY already did not have a sack, QB hit or deal with for loss Sunday and solely pressured the Texans as soon as. It was his worst sport as a professional. 

Are Cowboys official Super Bowl contenders this season?

The Dallas Cowboys are on a four-game win streak and have reached two consecutive 10-win seasons for the primary time since 1995 and 1996. David Helman discusses how completely different this yr’s Cowboys squad is in comparison with earlier playoff contenders.

I’ve requested everybody I can right here at FOX, and I haven’t got any concept when the final time is a Fox A crew known as a sport in Jacksonville that really concerned the Jaguars (final yr’s Saints-Packers Week 1 matchup and the Super Bowl do not rely), however right here we’re. Greg Olsen, Kevin Burkhardt and Erin Andrews are on the decision and the Cowboys protection has a surprisingly sizzling Jaguars offense lining up throughout from them. This will likely be a check. And alternative to show to everybody — on nationwide TV — that final week was only a fluke.  

A lingering White Lotus query 

Spoiler alert

I beloved “White Lotus” Season 2 a lot, however one thing simply is not sitting nicely with me. 

Does Greg truly get the cash? 

Yes? 

Ugh. Sorry. I hate that. Can we carry him again for Season 3, then? Just to guarantee us that is not how that complete storyline performs out? 

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Peter Schrager is an NFL author for FOX Sports and a number of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network. You can observe him on Twitter at @PSchrags.

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