NFL

• Bills 34, Dolphins 31
  • Buffalo certainly didn’t play a clean game yesterday, and if the Bills are as loose with the football next week as they were in this game, the Bengals will be advancing to the AFC Championship. Still, the Bills will always have room for error since they’re arguably the most talented team in football. Gabe Davis yet again had another strong playoff performance in this contest, and if he plays like a suitable Robin to Stefon Diggs’ Batman, the Bills will be all that more difficult to defeat. On defense, Matt Milano, who had 10 tackles and two sacks in this tilt, remains one of football’s most underrated players.
  • The Dolphins had their chances in this game, but Skylar Thompson played like a seventh-round rookie. Tyreek Hill was fine, but Jaylen Waddle did the Kansas State product no favors, failing to haul in several solidly thrown balls. Miami’s offense wasted a strong performance from the defensive front in this contest, as Jaelan Phillips, Christian Wilkins, and Jerome Baker all wreaked havoc. It’ll be a no brainer for Chris Grier and the front office to pick up Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option this spring, but I doubt an extension comes to fruition, given the quarterback’s history of head injuries.
• Giants 31, Vikings 24
  • The Giants faded a bit in the second half of the regular season, but I had a sneaking suspicion they’d show up for this game. I had no idea, though, that Daniel Jones would play as well as he did yesterday. The Giants made an awful decision in hindsight in choosing not to pick up the signal-caller’s fifth-year option, which will probably cost New York over $20 million in salary cap space for 2023, as Jones looked like a bonafide franchise quarterback yesterday. The value of running backs is overrated, but Saquon Barkley mattered in this game, picking up extra yards on nearly every touch. Also, Dexter Lawrence dominated the line of scrimmage. Yes, it seems like a bit of a stretch, but I like New York to go into Philadelphia next Saturday and steal one.
  • This was a classic Kirk Cousins game. The 34-year-old put together a decent performance, and of course, solid numbers, but came up empty when it mattered, throwing short of the sticks with the game on the line. The Giants did a great job on Justin Jefferson in this game, but it’s still a bit mysterious how little of an impact the star wide receiver had in Minnesota’s final three contests. New York also did a good job targeting an erratic Patrick Peterson, both in the pass and run game. This game was a victory for the analytics and advanced metrics, and did a solid job of proving the Vikings’ fraudulence.
• Bengals 24, Ravens 17
  • I figured as this game went on that Joe Burrow would have to show his stripes and lead Cincinnati to victory. Burrow played well, but that outcome never arose, thanks in part to some big plays by the Bengals defense. Cincinnati’s stop unit lacks a star, but there are so many talented players across all three levels. The offense needs to be better in Orchard Park next Sunday, which will be tough given the state of the team’s offensive line, but I still like the Bengals to prevail and face Kansas City for the conference championship.
  • Baltimore, as a franchise, is in a weird spot. Lamar Jackson probably could’ve played last night, and it’ll be fascinating to see how his impending free agency unfolds in March. For this contest, Tyler Huntley, save for two large mistakes, did all he could. He was aided by an effective run game, as well, but the Ravens must find help at wide receiver. Rashod Bateman’s return next fall will help, but Baltimore needs more. The defense, per usual, is a strength for the Ravens, but there are some older players on that side of the ball that may need replaced. Fortunately, the franchise is in good hands with Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh running the show.

NBA

• Knicks 117, Pistons 104
  • The Knicks deserve a ton of credit for their performance, and success, this season. Julius Randle is a bit of an uneven player, but he’s been awesome this month, and scored 42 points in this game. The Knicks probably aren’t as good as the Celtics, Nets, Bucks, Cavaliers, 76ers, and even the Heat in the East, but New York fans should be proud of this team.
  • Jaden Ivey misses Cade Cunningham. The rookie has had to take on more ball-handling responsibilities since Cunningham’s injury, and he simply isn’t ready for a heavy load.