Fans Tout Bills' Josh Allen as MVP After 'Masterclass' to Clinch NFL Playoff Berth
Dec 18, 2022
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: Josh Allen #17 and Spencer Brown #79 of the Buffalo Bills react in the second half of a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
For the fourth straight season and the fifth time in six years, the Buffalo Bills are headed to the postseason.
Buffalo clinched its AFC playoff berth on Saturday with a 32-29 victory over the Miami Dolphins at a snowy Highmark Stadium.
Quarterback Josh Allen put on a show to help the Bills edge the Dolphins, completing 25-of-40 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 77 yards on 10 carries.
Allen's MVP-worthy performance was praised by NFL Twitter as he was the best player on the field Saturday:
Josh Allen masterclass tonight. He had a few goofy plays but it’s so obvious he carries the entire burden of the offense right now. Throws to every level, beating pressure, some heroic efforts, was the whole run game for three+ quarters. Insane game.
You know what is the scariest thing about the Bills now? They can win in any way you can think of. Once again, Josh Allen is clutch in the two minute drill. #MIAvsBUF
What an excellent game. Snow was a cool element but didn’t seem to limit Miami at all. Tua played very well. Josh Allen and his fearless mentality just was a hair better.
Would love to see Dolphins-Bills Part 3 in the playoffs.
For the Bills, the only major question left in the regular season is whether they can top the Kansas City Chiefs for the top overall seed in the AFC. The Bills hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, so they'll only need to finish with the same record as Kansas City to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Much of Buffalo's success, yet again, can be tied to the play of Allen, who at one point looked like the front-runner to win the MVP award but may still be lagging behind Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Jalen Hurts and 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes despite Saturday's performance.
Still, the 26-year-old has been excellent, entering Saturday's game having thrown for 3,553 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 63.8 percent of his passes. He also had rushed for 628 yards and seven scores.
His top receiver, Stefon Diggs, has also put on a show with 94 catches for 1,239 yards and 10 touchdowns entering Saturday's game.
The Bills will head into the playoffs plenty battle-tested, with wins over the Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots and New York Jets. Their three losses, meanwhile, have come by a combined eight points against the Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings (overtime) and Jets.
The AFC East has been stronger than expected this season, with all four teams in legitimate striking distance of a playoff berth. One of them, at least, has already clinched. The Bills now await to see which of their rivals will join them.
Bills Share Photos of Highmark Stadium Covered in Snow Ahead of Dolphins Game
Dec 17, 2022
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 06: A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet on the field prior to the National Football League game between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills on November 6, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Ahead of Saturday night's game against the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills tweeted photos of their snow-covered stadium.
After heavy snowfall overnight and throughout the day Saturday, Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, resembled a winter wonderland.
Southern Erie County, which is the location of Orchard Park, has a lake-effect snow warning until Monday afternoon, and the forecast calls for snow before, during and after Saturday's game.
Per AccuWeather, four to eight inches of snow are expected to accumulate during the day and another one to three inches to come Saturday night.
Wind gusts could reach up to 21 mph, and there will be a low temperature of 29 degrees with a real-feel temperature of 15 degrees due to the wind chill.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports added that the National Weather Service is expecting the heaviest snow in Orchard Park on Saturday to take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, which will be during the game.
The National Weather Service also reported the possibility of thundersnow, which is a phenomenon that happened in Buffalo during a blizzard last month.
By comparison, AccuWeather is calling for a high of 77 degrees and a low of 71 degrees in Miami on Saturday.
While the conditions in the Buffalo area won't be as bad as they were last month when a scheduled home game against the Cleveland Browns had to be moved to Detroit, there still figures to be enough snow and wind to impact the game significantly.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa downplayed playing in the snow this week, noting that it snowed when he attended college at the University of Alabama, but he likely hasn't experienced what he will see Saturday night.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is far more acclimated to the snow after spending the past several years in Buffalo, perhaps giving the Bills a leg up in a hugely important game.
With a win, the 10-3 Bills can clinch a playoff spot on Saturday, and while a victory would not clinch the AFC East, it would move them to 11-3 and the second-place Dolphins to 8-6 with only three games to play.
Bills GM: Odell Beckham Jr. Signing Not Ruled out After Cole Beasley Contract
Dec 14, 2022
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 23: Football player Odell Beckham Jr. poses for a photo during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat on November 23, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills coaxing Cole Beasley out of retirement will not prevent them from pursuing Odell Beckham Jr., general manager Brandon Beane told reporters Wednesday.
"We haven't closed any doors. We had a good visit," Beane said.
Beckham has met with the Bills, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants as he explores his NFL return. The three-time Pro Bowler is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI and is not expected to play during the regular season.
"I haven't made a decision, and for me, I would like to be in a stable environment, get up at 6 a.m., leave at 6 p.m. for four weeks, and then let's talk about it," Beckham said last Thursday on TNF in the Shop. "I've played football for a long time. I'm not saying that I couldn't step in and play regular season, but I don't see the point. I really don't. I would rather play when the pressure is on."
Beckham has torn the ACL in his left knee twice in as many seasons. His journey back to the field is bound to be fraught, and it's noteworthy that none of the teams that met with Beckham appears determined to sign him immediately.
It's possible, not likely at this juncture, that Beckham winds up waiting until the free-agency period of this upcoming offseason to sign a new deal. Even if he were to sign with a team during the playoffs, there's no guarantee he would be in football shape or effective. The 30-year-old has not made a Pro Bowl since 2016 and has not topped 1,000 yards receiving since 2019.
Beasley played the previous three seasons in Buffalo before a brief two-game stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier in 2022. Signing him makes a ton of logical sense, given he already knows the playbook and has a built-in chemistry with Josh Allen.
Buffalo has also struggled to replicate Beasley's consistency in the slot with Isaiah McKenzie, who has recorded 38 receptions for 380 yards and five total touchdowns this season.
NFL Playoff Picture 2022: Official AFC, NFC Clinching Scenarios for Week 15 Released
Dec 14, 2022
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 11: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) relays the play call in the third quarter during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With four weeks remaining in the 2022 NFL regular season, five teams can clinch a playoff berth by the end of Week 15.
The San Francisco 49ers can become the first team to claim a division title if they defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings can win their divisions with a victory or with losses by the Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Tennessee Titans) and Detroit Lions (vs. New York Jets).
The Buffalo Bills will clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Miami Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys will make the playoffs with a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars or with losses by the Seahawks and either the Lions or Washington Commanders.
The Philadelphia Eagles, owners of the league's best record at 12-1, were the first team to clinch a playoff berth. They locked up their spot with Sunday's 48-22 victory over the New York Giants.
Odds are strongly tilted toward the Eagles winning the NFC East, but the Cowboys are making them work for it. Dallas' 10-3 record is tied with the Vikings for the second-best mark in the NFC.
The Eagles have a 26-17 victory over the Cowboys earlier this season. The two NFC East rivals will meet for the second time on Christmas Eve in a game that could swing the balance of power in the division to Dallas if the Cowboys beat the Jaguars and Philadelphia stumbles on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
The Chiefs have the easiest path to clinching a postseason berth this weekend. Their opponent, the Houston Texans, have the NFL's worst record (1-11-1). Houston did play well in a 27-23 loss to the Cowboys in Week 14.
Kansas City is coming off an uninspiring 34-28 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw a season-high three interceptions, though he also had 352 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The NFC West race seemed like it was going to be a battle all season. The Seahawks have been a pleasant surprise, while the 49ers have had to navigate losing Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries.
Instead, the 49ers have rattled off six consecutive wins, and Seattle has lost three of its last four games. A Seahawks victory would move them within one game of the Niners atop the division standings.
Despite losing to the Lions on Sunday, the Vikings have built up such a big cushion in the division that they would have to lose out and Detroit would have to win out for the NFC North to become a race.
The Dolphins-Bills game has lost some of its luster because of Miami's recent struggles on offense. Miami already holds a victory over the Bills, and sweeping the regular-season series would put pressure on Buffalo in its quest to win the AFC East for a third consecutive year.
Cole Beasley Ends Retirement to Sign Bills Contract amid Odell Beckham Jr. Rumors
Dec 13, 2022
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 18: Wide receiver Cole Beasley #11 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on October 18, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Veteran slot receiver Cole Beasley is coming out of retirement to return to the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo announced Tuesday that it has signed Beasley to its practice squad, a move NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported was expected.
The 33-year-old spent three seasons in Buffalo from 2019 to 2021 before going unsigned in free agency this past offseason. Beasley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in September and appeared in two games, but he announced his retirement in October.
Buffalo has been in the market for a veteran wideout, as it recently hosted free-agent Odell Beckham Jr. on a visit. OBJ visited with the Bills, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, and as noted by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, both the Bills and Cowboys have signed other receivers: The Bills inked Beasley, and the Cowboys brought in T.Y. Hilton.
It's uncertain whether Beckham, who suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl last season, will play this year. Beckham himself created some doubt, saying last week that he doesn't "see the point" of trying to play during the 2022 regular season.
Beasley is a much different player in that he operates almost exclusively out of the slot and isn't much of a downfield threat, but he could be a great fit in Buffalo.
The savvy veteran is familiar with the Bills and their offensive system, although they do have a different offensive coordinator this season in Ken Dorsey following Brian Daboll's departure to become head coach of the New York Giants.
Beasley spent the first seven years of his NFL career with the Cowboys before signing with Buffalo in 2019 and enjoying three of the most productive seasons of his career.
He finished with 67 receptions for 778 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 2019 before reaching new heights in 2020 with a career-high 82 catches and 967 yards to go with four touchdowns en route to being named a second-team All-Pro.
Last season was more of a struggle for Beasley, as he was banged up throughout the year. Despite that, he missed only one game and matched his career high with 82 receptions, although those grabs went for just 693 yards and one touchdown.
Beasley's 8.5 yards per catch matched the career low he set as a rookie in 2012, but he continued to excel at moving the chains, as 37 of his receptions went for first downs, which tied for the fourth-best mark of his career.
The Bills are the top team in the AFC this season at 10-3, and quarterback Josh Allen has mostly played well, although his 11 interceptions are tied for third-most in the NFL.
One of the biggest issues for Allen and the Buffalo offense has been a lack of reliable options in the passing game outside of superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Tight end Dawson Knox has taken a step back compared to his career year in 2021, while No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis has not progressed as much as hoped after going off for four touchdown catches against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs last season.
The Bills also hoped Jamison Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie would replace Beasley's production out of the slot, but injury has limited Crowder to four games, and McKenzie has not been sure-handed with five drops on the year, per Fox Sports.
Buffalo is tied for the NFL lead in dropped passes this season with 25, per NBC Sports, which is why it makes perfect sense to bring back one of the more reliable slot receivers in the game.
If the Bills elevate Beasley from the practice squad to the active roster, his first opportunity to play will come Saturday night when the Bills host the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins with a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
Bills Still Have Plenty to Prove to Establish Themselves as Super Bowl Favorites
Dec 13, 2022
Josh Allen
Heading into the 2022 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills were the clear AFC East favorite and the front-runner to win the Super Bowl. Nothing has changed three months later.
Heading into Week 15, the Bills have a two-game advantage in the division and are the top seed in the AFC thanks to a head-to-head victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6. They're still the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl, too.
There are a ton of positives about this roster. They're the best of a reasonably flawed AFC, and only a nightmarish collapse would keep the Bills out of the playoffs.
They're only a Week 15 victory over the Miami Dolphins away from needing one more win to clinch a third straight division crown. Recent wins over the New England Patriots and New York Jets have proved critical in this midseason ascent, too.
However, the Bills haven't been overwhelming teams near the extent they are capable. They are judged not merely on making the postseason; rather, it's about how they look compared to other Super Bowl hopefuls like the Chiefs or Philadelphia Eagles.
The intent here isn't to lambast a strong Buffalo team. The Bills' current position is enviable.
Although the Bills seemed destined for a positive year, they deserve a hat-tip for actually doing it. Fellow preseason front-runners such as the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all currently have losing records this season.
Statistically, the Bills are once again thriving on both sides of the ball. After ranking third and first, respectively, in scoring offense and defense last season, they're fourth and second in those categories this year.
The challenge is weighing Buffalo's overall success with an uninspiring month offensively. Want to make that balance tougher? The Bills are on a four-game winning streak anyway.
Exhausting concept, this nuance.
Stefon Diggs
Most notably, star quarterback Josh Allen—the MVP front-runner in early November—has faded from a torrid start to the 2022 campaign.
Through the Bills' opening seven games, Allen averaged 357.8 combined yards per outing with 21 total touchdowns, eight turnovers and 11 sacks. But in the last six contests, Allen's production has dipped to 279.5 yards with 11 scores, seven giveaways and 17 sacks.
The best version of this Buffalo offense, which we saw throughout September and October, is nearly unstoppable. The last month-plus has showed a concerning form.
Now, the reason those struggles haven't dragged down the Bills is that their defense has excelled lately.
Since a mediocre three-game stretch that ended Nov. 13, Buffalo has allowed only 6.4 yards per pass attempt and 3.5 yards per carry. The last four opponents have averaged a meager 17.5 points per game, and no less than 16 points can be classified as garbage-time scores.
Additionally, the unit surrendered only 21 and 20 points in two of the Bills' three losses earlier this season. This defense, in short, has given Buffalo a tremendous chance to win every single week in 2022.
But for the Bills to accomplish their ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, the offense needs to rebound.
Allen did suffer an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament in November against the Jets, although he has yet to miss a game because of it. He said on the Pat McAfee Show that the injury is a factor in his preparation but doesn't bother him on game day.
It's thus simultaneously reasonable to both limit and not erase the criticism of his performance in the last month. Adverse weather hasn't helped in the last two games, but we've seen Allen's missile of a throwing arm cut through gusty wind plenty of times, too.
Beyond him, a major concern is the absence of a reliable pass-catcher beyond Stefon Diggs.
No. 2 wideout Gabe Davis has eclipsed 40 yards only twice since the Bills' Week 7 bye. He and tight end Dawson Knox are Buffalo's next-best options, but they've combined for just 15 catches in the last three games. Isaiah McKenzie has been inconsistent in his supporting role all year, and nobody else has claimed a regular, substantive snap share.
Sacks are not a perfect standalone measure by which to judge an offensive line. Still, this downward trend would be foolish to ignore. Buffalo allowed two-plus sacks in only two of its first six games, but opponents have notched at least two in seven straight outings since the October bye.
That can be—and is—something an elite defensive team may overcome. That doesn't sound like a convincing Super Bowl favorite, though Allen is entirely unbothered by that sentiment.
Asked about the #Bills offense struggling at times and “not looking like an offense that can win the Super Bowl,” Josh Allen had a simple response:
Fortunately for the Bills, there's still a month left in the regular season. Alarm bells aren't blaring yet, though they're not terribly far from being tested just in case.
The season-ending stretch opposite the Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals and Patriots is an ideal mix of good, bad, solid and decent competition with a few sturdy defenses. It's tough enough to experiment with possible solutions, yet not a gauntlet.
No single adjustment will shake the slump. But maybe Knox needs a more diverse route tree or the threat of McKenzie needs to create more pre-snap stress on defenses, even if he rarely touches the ball. Perhaps there's a larger pass-catching role for trade addition Nyheim Hines or rookie back James Cook to help atone for the offensive line.
Editor's note: Since publish, Buffalo has also signed Cole Beasley to the practice squad. Mike Garofolo of NFL Network noted the expectation is Beasley will be on the active roster soon.
Plus, if the Bills snag the AFC's first-round bye, an extra week of rest might aid Allen's recovery, too.
Either way, the defense—even without sack artist Von Miller—is built to carry the team into the playoffs thanks to edge-rushing depth led by Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa, who both have at least 5.5 sacks behind Miller's team-high eight.
Buffalo has both talent and a fair bit of time. But the latter will soon run in critically short supply for the Super Bowl hopefuls.
If the offense fails to snap its recent funk, the basic expectations met on the surface and positive details on paper will be overshadowed by another painful on-field loss in the postseason.
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Odell Beckham Jr.'s Top Landing Spots After T.Y. Hilton's Cowboys Contract
Dec 12, 2022
NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. watches action during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The ongoing courtship between the Dallas Cowboys and free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. appears to have reached its end, as the Cowboys are reportedly bringing in a veteran pass-catcher.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater reported that Dallas reached an agreement with receiver T.Y. Hilton on Monday. The 33-year-old had played 10 years with the Indianapolis Colts and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
The addition of Hilton gives the Cowboys the extra offensive weapon they need as the playoffs approach. But where does that leave Beckham?
Here are the top remaining landing spots for the 30-year-old now that Dallas is likely no longer in the running.
Buffalo Bills
Beckham undoubtedly wants to join a contender to win another championship as he did with the Los Angeles Rams last season in Super Bowl LVI. He should look no further than the top team in the AFC.
The Buffalo Bills remained in the No. 1 spot after Sunday's gritty win over the New York Jets. At 10-3, Buffalo is one of the favorites to compete for a Super Bowl title this year, but the team could still use another target for star quarterback Josh Allen.
The Bills have one of the best receivers in the league in Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 94 receptions, 1,239 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, no other player on the team has 40 catches. Allen's over-reliance on Diggs can come back to haunt Buffalo if teams focus their defense on him.
Adding Beckham to the mix would help take some attention off Diggs. For what it's worth, last month Beckham named the Bills as one of four teams he'd be interested in joining after he completed his recovery from a torn ACL.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL, earning their sixth straight victory on Sunday with a blowout over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, star receiver Deebo Samuel went down with an ankle injury during the game, putting his status in question for the next few weeks.
Beckham could be the perfect option to fill in for Samuel if he misses extended time. If both are able to be on the field together, it would add a different dimension to an already dynamic 49ers offense.
San Francisco lost veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for at least the remainder of the regular season because of a broken foot. Rookie signal-caller Brock Purdy proved he can steer the ship in the interim with a three-touchdown performance (two passing, one rushing) against the Bucs.
The 49ers could look to add Beckham as another reliable target for the seventh-round pick as they charge toward the postseason.
Kansas City Chiefs
After losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have had to adjust on offense. However, perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes still has the Chiefs on the cusp of a seventh straight AFC West title.
While Mahomes has been able to make up for Kansas City's deficiencies throughout the regular season, cracks have begun to show. In Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos, he threw three touchdown passes but also had a season-high three interceptions.
The Chiefs had been hoping free-agent additions JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be able to make up for the absence of Hill. They've combined to reach the end zone just four times through 13 games. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce remains the top target in Kansas City's passing attack.
Beckham would provide Mahomes with another option in the explosive Chiefs offense. He could also open things up for Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling. The three-time Pro Bowler would likely have a ton of fun playing in Andy Reid's scheme.
New York Giants
It's never too late to come home. In Beckham's case, a reunion with the team he started his NFL career with would come at a perfect time.
At 7-5-1, the New York Giants are clinging to the seventh seed in the NFC and could surely use a boost as the regular season winds down. New York is 0-3-1 in its last four games and has dealt with injuries to multiple receivers throughout the year.
Darius Slayton leads the Giants with 608 receiving yards, while Richie James leads the team's wide receivers with 38 receptions and three touchdowns. Quarterback Daniel Jones ranks near the bottom of the league with 194.9 passing yards per game. Clearly, New York's air attack could use an injection of energy.
Beckham has appeared to be open to rejoining the Giants, and he had a "good dinner" with head coach Brian Daboll earlier this month. A return to New York would give him the opportunity to be a key contributor to the team's push for the playoffs.
Von Miller: Josh Allen, Bills Brass Had 'Amazing' Dinner with Odell Beckham Jr.
Dec 8, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams won 23-20. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Amid rumors that the Dallas Cowboys may not want to pursue Odell Beckham Jr. because of concerns about his recovery from a torn ACL, the Buffalo Bills could swoop in to sign the three-time Pro Bowler.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, Bills defensive end Von Miller said members of the organization had an "amazing" dinner with Beckham at Josh Allen's house last week.
The Cowboys had long been viewed as the favorite to sign Beckham. Both sides were not being subtle about their mutual admiration for each other.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounded optimistic about potentially adding Beckham during a Nov. 22 appearance on 105.3 The Fan (h/t USA Today's Lorenzo Reyes):
"When you look at a player, and the more you expend for a player, you can go up to where that's two players or that's three players. It's financial, but it's really not. At the end of the day, it's the capability, the athletic ability, the availability up against paying a lot to one player or paying lesser for two players. It's one way to measure it, so it's all relative. The main thing is what everybody would agree with: if you can improve this team right now and it's within reason, you should do it. We've got a chance."
Beckham received a hero's welcome from the Dallas crowd when he attended a Mavericks game with Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs on Monday night.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Ed Werder reported the Cowboys have "concerns" about Beckham's physical and that his ACL hasn't progressed enough to ensure he would be able to play before mid-January and "there is a possibility" he won't get back on the field until the 2023 regular season.
Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper) he's "not confident at all" about signing Beckham without an in-person workout.
In addition to the Bills and Cowboys, Beckham also met with the New York Giants last week.
The Bills lost Miller for the season on Wednesday when head coach Sean McDermott announced he had surgery to repair a torn ACL. The eight-time Pro Bowler leads the team in quarterback hits (12) and sacks (eight).
Since the Bills won't be able to find a defensive player of Miller's caliber to finish the season, perhaps they can try to upgrade the offense by pairing Beckham with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.
Of course, this depends on Beckham's ability to get on the field. It's unclear at this point if it will happen this season.
Beckham won a Super Bowl as a member of the Los Angeles Rams last season. He finished 2021 with 44 receptions, 537 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games between the Rams and Cleveland Browns.
Bills' Von Miller Says He Plans to Play at Least 4 More Seasons Despite ACL Injury
Dec 8, 2022
Football: Buffalo Bills Von Miller (40) in action, looks on vs. New York Jets at Met Life Stadium.
East Rutherford, NJ 11/6/2022
CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: x164230 TK1)
Buffalo Bills pass-rusher Von Miller believes he has a lot left to his career despite suffering a torn ACL two weeks ago, as he told The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday:
"It's nothing but work, you're never out of the fight, man," Miller said. "I plan on playing four, five, six more years, and this is the route I had to take to get there."
Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced Wednesday that Miller would miss the rest of the 2022 season after tearing his ACL in Week 12. The 33-year-old had eight sacks in 11 games.
Returning to the NFL level after a serious knee injury is difficult, but Miller has a timeline to get back on the field and is ready to put the work in. He also suffered a torn ACL in 2013 and missed the entire 2020 season because of an ankle injury.
Of course, Miller has little to prove with a resume that should put him in the Hall of Fame even if he doesn't play another down.
The 2011 second overall pick was the Defensive Rookie of the Year and has been selected to eight Pro Bowls and earned three first-team All-Pro honors. He has won two Super Bowl titles, including last year with the Los Angeles Rams and with the Denver Broncos in the 2015 season when he was named MVP of Super Bowl 50.
Miller's 123.5 career sacks rank first among active players, and he has tallied at least eight sacks in each of his 10 seasons with at least 10 games played.
The veteran, who signed a six-year, $120 million deal with the Bills in March, appears determined to add to his accolades.
