ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Nyheim Hines ignited an emotionally billed environment celebrating injured Charges security Damar Hamlin by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, and Buffalo clinched the AFC’s second playoff seed with a 35-23 win about the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The reduction, coupled with Miami beating the New York Jets, eradicated the Patriots (8-9) from the playoffs for the next time in three yrs, and just the fourth time in 23 seasons all through Bill Belichick’s coaching tenure. Buffalo will now host their division rival Dolphins in the wild-card spherical upcoming weekend.
With the recreation in hand, Expenditures gamers held up three fingers in honor of Hamlin’s range with the crowd chanting “Hamlin! Hamlin!”
The Charges (13-3) shut their year by winning their last seven games and overcame an psychological 7 days in which the team was left devastated in watching Hamlin collapse immediately after heading into cardiac arrest and acquiring to be resuscitated on the discipline in Cincinnati on Monday evening.
What adopted was progressive fantastic news of Hamlin’s extraordinary restoration in which he was not only able to breathe on his very own, but also managed to tackle his teammates when stating “Love you boys” on Friday.
And go away it to receiver Stefon Diggs, who built a place to check out Hamlin in the College of Cincinnati Health-related Center quickly adhering to the match, to seal the victory with a 49-property landing capture from Josh Allen to put Buffalo ahead 35-23 with 8:51 remaining.
The marketed-out group — many of them sporting No. 3 Hamlin shirts and jerseys, and keeping up pink hearts in the player’s honor — erupted as 1 as Allen walked off the discipline with his arms elevated.
On the ensuing kickoff, which went for a touchback, the Expenditures specific groups players all raced into the close zone and motioned to the group. The lovers, as a person, stood up and let out a substantial roar.
Allen finished 19 of 31 for 254 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception.
On a working day the Costs celebrated No. 3, and with Hamlin viewing and reside-tweeting from his healthcare facility bed in Cincinnati, two touchdowns by Hines proved critical.
The crowd had scarcely settled into its seats pursuing a pregame ceremony honoring Hamlin when Hines returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a rating.
His next set the Expenses ahead for fantastic, coming 13 seconds just after Nick Folks strike a 24-garden area purpose to place New England up 17-14 midway as a result of the 3rd quarter.
Obtained by Buffalo in a trade with Indianapolis two months ago, Hines grew to become the NFL’s 11th player to return two kickoffs for scores in a video game, and first considering that Seattle’s Leon Washington in 2010.
The Patriots required only a gain to clinch a playoff berth, but wound up stumbling in closing the season by dropping five of their last 7.
Mac Jones concluded 26 of 40 for 243 yards and three touchdowns, together with two to DeVante Parker, and 3 interceptions — all coming in the next fifty percent.
Jones’ last two interceptions came on consecutive drives in the final six minutes.
Dealing with 3rd-and-19 at the Buffalo 22, Jones’ deep pass around the middle went off the hand of tight conclude Hunter Henry, and was picked off by linebacker Matt Milano.
On New England’s upcoming possession, Jones’ move went off the fingers of Damien Harris, and into the hands of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
MILESTONE
Patriots defensive again Devin McCourty had an interception and recovered Devin Singletary’s fumble. The interception was the 35th of McCourty’s 13-calendar year job, shifting him one particular guiding Ty Law and Raymond Clayborn, who are tied for initially on the franchise list.
The 35-year-old McCourty designed his 205th commence for New England in what could be his final video game for the franchise.
Accidents
Patriots DT DaMarcus Mitchell did not return after sustaining a concussion.
UP Future
Patriots: Period more than.
Expenditures: Host Miami Dolphins in AFC wild-card sport.
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