NFL Notebook: Giardi - Mack Wilson making a name for himself in Patriots' lost season

Coming out of training camp, I didn't think Mack Wilson had done enough to earn a spot on the team, but I put him there anyway, mainly because of the Patriots' lack of depth at the linebacker position. 

Nothing Wilson did in the first month or so of the season changed my opinion. In fact, if anything, his usage - or lack thereof - only cemented my feelings. 

It started in Week 8 when Wilson played a season-high 45 snaps. Including that afternoon in Miami, he's averaging 24 a game since and has produced some impact plays. Where did this come from?

"With the opportunities I get, I try to make those plays, honestly, and I'm just going to continue to keep building on it," said Wilson. "I feel like it's just having that second year in the system that allows me to play faster, not think as much, and it kind of allowed me to line up wherever on the defense because I know it and just be able to plug-and-play wherever basically."

You may have noticed more of the 6-foot-1, 246-pound Wilson coming off the edge. That's not something he did much of in his previous stop in Cleveland (or at Alabama, for that matter - "(Nick) Saban let me do it a little."), and certainly not something we saw from him in Foxborough during year one. But there were signs he might get a chance this spring, and now that he is getting them, Wilson is making those snaps count. 

"Obviously, they let me do it a little bit in OTAs and whatnot," he said. "When Judon went down, I got (an) opportunity to show what I can do. It's been fun. I love doing it."

Wilson has three sacks in the last two weeks, including a pair against Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, who's not exactly the easiest guy to corral. This has been quite the push by the fifth-year pro, and it's even better for him personally when you consider he's only under contract for this season.

"It brings excitement and joy to me because I feel like I'm now just scratching the surface," said Wilson of his recent success and free agency looming. "I'm excited for what's ahead. Honestly, can't wait."

Wilson's re-upping in New England last offseason was a bit of a surprise, considering he was just a bit player in 2022. But because of the injuries and his improved play, he's carved out a nice role for himself and may have more options. He's also shown true professionalism throughout, which isn't always easy in a season that went belly up months ago.

"I think I read a quote from Jahlani (Tavai) ... and he said something about you not wanting to put bad tape out there regardless of what your record is, so you're always playing for something. Not only are you playing for the Patriots, but there are, obviously, 31 other teams watching to see how you respond when things aren't going well."

That attitude is serving Wilson well, and he should benefit going forward, whether here or elsewhere.

BILLS COOKING

In years past, the Bills' only path to offensive success was for Josh Allen to put on the cape and go full Superman. That may still be their best recipe for an elusive championship, but they suddenly have a running game under interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

James Cook went full Christian McCaffrey Sunday in a 31-10 rout of the Cowboys, with 179 yards rushing and 221 scrimmage yards. That's the most by a Buffalo back since the criminally underrated Fred Jackson in 2009, and it allowed Allen to have his quietest day in eons, with just 94 yards passing.

"I felt like the kid that didn't do anything in the class project and got an A," Allen joked.

Cook has now gone over 100 total yards in each of the last five games, which is the second longest current streak in the NFL, trailing only...wait for...McCaffrey.

"I just let it rip," said Cook postgame. "My O-linemen, they was opening it up, and I was hitting it and finding that rhythm."

The Bills have won two in a row and three of their last four, and at 8-6, they might be the most dangerous team in the AFC. One problem, however. They're currently on the outside looking in regarding the playoff picture. 

"I feel like this is a situation that we've been in before," said Allen, "and just using those previous experiences to carry us over."

"I think that's been the mantra the last (two weeks)," said center Mitch Morse. "We understand where we are at. But we also don't dwell on that. We just try to compound these moments, like I've talked about ad nauseam. When you compound those moments come Sunday, or Saturday in this case (they play in LA against the Chargers), you've got a good reserve...and let the chips fall where they may."

On paper, this should be a runaway. The Chargers are without Justin Herbert (finger) for the remainder of the season and are coming off a 63-14 beatdown at the hands of the Raiders. But after that debacle, LA fired head coach Brandon Staley. Giff Smith, who started his NFL coaching career as the Bills defensive line coach, will act as the Bolts' interim head coach. Might that be problematic for Buffalo? Since 2019, teams are 7-5 in their first game with a new head coach after an in-season coaching change (I tried to find a better way to word that but failed. Sorry for a hideous sentence).

TUA TALKING THAT TALK

The Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot by beating the Cowboys in Miami on Sunday, and as only one of two teams in the AFC with 10+ wins (Ravens), have a real shot at a first-round bye. They were impressive in shutting out the Jets last weekend, putting up 30 points without Tyreek Hill (ankle) in the lineup. Hill has been the most explosive player in the league and a legit MVP candidate. There was some thought that the Fins' offense - particularly Tua Tagovailoa - would scuffle against Gang Green minus Hill. Instead, Tua was near perfect, completing 21 of 24 for 224 yards and a touchdown.

"Everyone wants to make this about me, about Tyreek," said Tagovailoa. "I understand that my platform and who I am in this league as a quarterback makes me – if you want polarizing, whether I'm the best or the worst - I could care less. I don't listen to it. This is my bearer of bad news (gesturing toward the communications staff). I hate to say it, but that's my bearer of bad news if anyone says something bad about me. But at the end of the day, I really don't care. If it is shared with me – I mean, I keep receipts. 

"We all have a way of how we do things. But all the narratives about it, sure, I'm only good with Tyreek. You're right. That's the only time I'm at my best. You're right. I'm only good when Jaylen (Waddle) is in. I couldn't care less about it. Sure, if Jaylen and those guys are out, I'm only as good as Raheem Mostert allows me to be. If that's what the narrative needs to be, and we're able to win games and we're able to go where we want to go as a team, I am the worst football player, if that's what you want. I don't care. I really don't."

I think he protests too much, but as we witnessed up close and personal with the Pats all those years, run with it if this works for you as a player or team. Tagovailoa is on pace to be the 7th QB since 1975 to lead the NFL in completion percentage and pass yards in the same season (previous are current or future HOFers). And as a side note, he's hitting 81.7% of his passes when Hill doesn't play as opposed to 67.3 with him on.

STEICHEN SHINES

We all watched the Patriots lose to the Colts in Germany. It was an ugly football game - for a lot of reasons. But in no way, shape, or form did I leave that meeting and say to myself, "Dang, those Colts are good."

Yet here we are, heading into Week 16, and Indy has won five of their last six games. The only team with a better record over that stretch? The 49ers. This push has the Colts into the seventh and final AFC playoff spot. Their remaining schedule is at Atlanta, then home against Las Vegas and Houston. It's not a cakewalk, but it's not murderer's row, either.

The architect of this revival is first-year head coach Shane Steichen. He's currently the favorite for Coach of the Year and could be the fifth straight Colts head coaching hire to make the playoffs in his first season, joining Frank Reich (2018), Chuck Pagano (2012), Jim Caldwell (2009), and Tony Dungy (2002).

"We're finding ways to win games," said Steichen. "That's the stat that matters, is winning football games. But again, it's the resilience and the belief that every time we step on that field, we are going to win the football game."

Steichen, who came to Indy after being the Eagles' offensive coordinator, has been in his bag for a better part of the year, first cooking up something special for 1st round pick Anthony Richardson but now making this group fly with Gardner Minshew. The Colts average over 24 points per game, eighth best in the league, and have scored 20 or more a dozen times, tied for tops (Miami, Baltimore and Detroit).

"I think there is definitely a certain sense of confidence, of optimism," said Minshew. "We kind of expect no matter what happens in the game, we will be able to figure it out. I think that's a good place to be right now. I think we have a lot of trust with each other, and that confidence is building."

NERD NUMBERS

- The Patriots have scored 13.3 PPG in 2023, which is last in the NFL. That's the fewest PPG by the Patriots since 1992. They have not finished with the last-ranked scoring offense since 1990, when they averaged 11.3 PPG.

- Sam LaPorta is the first rookie tight end in NFL history with 70+ receptions, 700+ receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. The only rookie tight ends before LaPorta with 700+ receiving yards and 7+ TDs were Hall of Famers Mike Ditka in 1961 and John Mackey in 1963.

- Jacksonville's Josh Allen is tied with Micah Parsons for most QB pressures (84) in the NFL in 2023, per Next Gen Stats. Allen has 13.5 sacks and 26 QB hits in 2023 (both T-5th in the NFL).

- Myles Garrett has not recorded a sack since Week 11 (longest streak without a sack in career). Garrett still has 13.0 sacks in 2023 (7th in the NFL despite 4 game streak with 0 sacks).