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NFL playoffs and Super Bowl 2023 expert predictions

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The notorious Serby Crystal Ball that before this wild and wacky NFL season foresaw a Bills-49ers Super Bowl matchup has been dusted off just in time for the playoffs. 

Much has changed for both teams, of course: Trey Lance (ankle) was lost Week 2 and Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) was lost Week 13 and the football world was introduced to Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy. 

The Bills endured the emotional roller coaster of a near-tragedy to the uplifting, inspirational, heartwarming story of Damar Hamlin, who was remarkably released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Monday, one week after suffering cardiac arrest making a tackle against the Bengals’ Tee Higgins. 

Can the Bills be a Team of Destiny and win their first Super Bowl in five tries? Can Purdy be America’s Mr. Relevant? Can Tom Brady capture his eighth ring? Can Patrick Mahomes win his second? Will Joe Burrow be smoking postgame cigars? 

The Serby Crystal Ball has it all in clear focus: 

Super Wild Card Weekend

Saturday 

Seahawks at 49ers

Geno Smith, meet Nick Bosa. Kenneth Walker III, meet Fred Warner. America, meet young Mr. Purdy, who won’t melt under the searing hot playoff lights. In two losses to the Niners, the Seahawks scored one offensive touchdown. And the Niners rushed for 189 (without Christian McCaffrey) and 170 yards. 

49ers 31, Seahawks 17 

The full bracket for the 2023 NFL playoffs.
NY Post illustration
Brock Purdy won’t wilt in the bright lights of the NFL playoffs.
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Chargers at Jaguars

A matchup of Golden Boys at quarterback, Justin Herbert vs. Trevor Lawrence. Brandon Staley opted to go more Tom Coughlin than Brian Daboll in the regular-season finale and might have dodged a bullet because WR Mike Williams (back) should be good to go. Herbert has had Williams (ankle) and Keenan Allen (hamstring) together for only four games start-to-finish. If Joey Bosa (groin) is OK to team with Khalil Mack, the Bolts will enjoy an experience pass-rush edge over The Other Josh Allen and rookie Travon Walker. Forever Trevor will need Travis Etienne to go off against the 28th-ranked run defense. 

Chargers 27, Jaguars 24 

Sunday 

Dolphins at Bills 

The Tua Tagovailoa Dolphins stood toe-to-toe and snow-to-snow with the Bills in their last-second, 32-29 loss on Dec. 17. That was before Tua’s latest concussion woes. Will Tua be cleared? If not, expect Teddy Bridgewater (pinky) instead of rookie Skylar Thompson. The long-range forecast is sunny and balmy (28 degrees) with 8 mph winds, so Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle can eat. But Josh Allen threw for 4 TDs and ran for 77 yards last time. 

Win one for Damar. 

Bills 33, Dolphins 17 

Giants at Vikings

Daniel Jones will be armed with confidence facing the league’s 31st-ranked passing defense. Saquon Barkley is rested and ready for the 20th-ranked rush defense. Brian Daboll and Wink Martindale are dangerous the second time they see an opponent (see Commanders). Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams will contain Dalvin Cook, and Wink won’t let Justin Jefferson (12-133-1 TD) and T.J. Hockenson (13-109-2 TDs) wreck the game this time. Xavier McKinney is back (Adoree’ Jackson too?). This time, Graham Gano, not Greg Joseph, walks it off. 

Giants 27, Vikings 24 

Ravens at Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals air game are in for a cage match with the Ravens.
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Their mantra Play Like A Raven is much easier when Lamar Jackson is the quarterback. He hasn’t practiced in five weeks (PCL). Burrow didn’t have Higgins in the early-season loss to Baltimore; he has him now alongside Ja’Marr Chase. The defending AFC champs have an eight-game win streak. The Ravens passing game never recovered from the trade of Hollywood Brown. The red zone has been a dead zone for them. If it’s Tyler Huntley or Anthony Brown at quarterback, everybody sing “Who Dey?” Let’s guess on a rusty Lamar return and a maniacal defense led by MLB Roquan Smith neutralizing Joe Mixon, and Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters limiting Chase and Higgins, and J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews doing enough in a vicious, chippy steel cage match. 

Ravens 24, Bengals 21 

Monday

Cowboys at Buccaneers

Brady (with his seven rings) is 7-0 against the Cowboys. Dak Prescott has a seven-game interception streak. Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t been eating much lately. Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence will be problems, but Brady will get the ball out quickly to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin against rookie corner DaRon Bland. Playoff Lenny Fournette can have success against 22nd-ranked rush defense, and if center Ryan Jensen (knee) can return, that would be a huge lift. Brady versus Dan Quinn … Falcons HC in Super Bowl 51 who blew that 28-3 lead to the GOAT, FWIW. 

Bucs 24, Cowboys 21 

Micah Parson and the Cowboys will be too much for Tom Brady & Co. to handle.
USA TODAY Sports

Divisional Round

AFC 

Ravens at Chiefs

Lamar ran for 107 yards and 2 TDs in a 36-35 win early in 2021 in Baltimore to beat Mahomes for the first time in four tries. Steve Spagnuolo and Chris Jones won’t let that happen again. Magic Mahomes no longer has Tyreek Hill and it doesn’t matter. Jerick McKinnon and Isaiah Pacheco give Andy Reid more balance, and while rookie safety Kyle Hamilton owns size and range, Travis Kelce will be too savvy for him. Kadarius Toney: 1 TD, 1 tweaked hamstring.

Chiefs 34, Ravens 17 

Chargers at Bills 

The long-range forecast is calling for light snow on Jan. 21 and snow Jan. 22. Austin Ekeler will need to be a passing-game weapon against the fifth-ranked rushing defense (104.6 yards). Allen, Devin Singletary and James Cook will lead a 150-yard rushing assault. Win one more for Damar. 

Bills 33, Chargers 21 

Devin Singletary and the Bills will rush their way through the Chargers.
Getty Images

NFC 

Giants at Eagles

It’s not easy beating a division rival three times in one season. 

Davis Webb lobbies to start this one, citing his chemistry with Kenny Golladay, and Daboll tells the media that he will sit down with GM Joe Schoen and discuss everything on Friday night (eye roll). Anyway, a healthy Jalen Hurts and the top-ranked pass defense proves too much for Jones without a true No. 1 receiver, even though Barkley catches eight passes and totals 130 yards. 

Eagles 27, Giants 17 

Bucs at 49ers: 

Brady versus his boyhood team. Brady versus Purdy. Brady’s last game as a Buc before leaving for Raiders? Brady’s last game before leaving for Fox? Purdy has George Kittle. Brady doesn’t have Gronk. Purdy has Kyle Shanahan. Brady does not. Demeco Ryans boasts the second-ranked (77.7 yards) rushing defense. 

49ers 31, Bucs 17 

NFC Championship 

49ers at Eagles 

Garoppolo beat the Eagles 17-11 at the Linc early in 2021. Will Purdy blink? Remember, cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry are no slouches. But if there is a team built to win physical battles on the road, it is these 49ers. Hurts will have some success against the Niner secondary targeting A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, but Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Arik Armstead will stifle Miles Sanders and make Nick Sirianni one-dimensional. 

49ers 27, Eagles 24 

AFC Championship

Bills vs. Chiefs 

The next Allen-Mahomes dream showdown. An eerie environment at a neutral site — the halfway point between Buffalo and Kansas City is Indianapolis FYI. Gabe Davis won’t catch 4 TD passes against the Chiefs this time, but Stefon Diggs will haul in a couple against a group of young, inexperienced cornerbacks, including No. 1 draft pick Trent McDuffie. Last one with the ball wins. Allen is the last one with the ball. 

Win another for Damar. 

Bills 33, Chiefs 30 

Josh Allen and the Bills will get over the hump this time and give Buffalo it’s long-awaited title.
Getty Images

Super Bowl 2023 

49ers-Bills 

During the two weeks between the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl, Shanahan ponders the same question that Bill Belichick pondered prior to Super Bowl 36: Brady or Drew Bledsoe? For Shanny, it’s Purdy or Garoppolo, whose foot has finally healed enough. And like Belichick, he stays with the hot hand. 

But when Purdy suddenly develops the yips, Garoppolo is summoned off the bench and brings the Niners back from a first-half hole. McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel begin imposing their will on the night, and Marv Levy and Jim Kelly are sweating bullets in the owners’ box. But Allen, in his huddle at the start of a late fourth-quarter drive, looks up in the stands and says: “Hey look, it’s Will Smith and Chris Rock!” It eases the tension, and Allen engineers a 98-yard drive that culminates in him leaping over the end zone third-and-goal from the 3. 

Won the Big One for Damar.

Bills 33, 49ers 27

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Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again

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Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Tagovailoa played every offensive snap in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to the Packers.
  • McDaniel said that Tagovailoa displayed symptoms and was placed in the protocol Monday.
  • Tagovailoa was previously in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury against the Bengals earlier this season. The circumstances surrounding that incident prompted the NFL to make adjustments to its concussion protocol.

Backstory

Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher in Week 4 after being slammed hard to the turf by Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou. He sustained head and neck injuries and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The quarterback had been evaluated for an apparent head injury in the first half of the previous game but was allowed to come back in the second half. The NFL launched an investigation into the Dolphins’ handling of Tagovailoa’s Week 3 evaluation and ultimately adjusted the league’s protocol.

After being placed in the protocol earlier this season, Tagovailoa missed two games.

In the first half against the Packers on Sunday, Tagovailoa was 9-for-12 for 229 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. In the second half, he was 7-of-13 for 81 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Dolphins, 8-7, are second in the AFC East.

Tua makes right call entering concussion protocol

McDaniel told reporters that Tagovailoa met with doctors today and told them he had symptoms of a concussion. The last time he went through the protocol, it prompted the NFL to make a change to better protect players. But this time, Tagovailoa’s situation is much more representative of how players have to be their own advocates.

No one noticed Tagovailoa receive any questionable hits on Sunday. Not the concussion spotters, not the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, and not his coaches or teammates. There is no foolproof way to prevent players from continuing to play through concussions because they often might not notice their symptoms until the game is over. As for the Dolphins’ playoff hopes, Teddy Bridgewater is a more than capable backup, but when backup quarterbacks have had to play this season, Miami has lost all three games. Without Tagovailoa, the Dolphins don’t pose much of a postseason threat. — Kahler

Evaluating the Dolphins’ playoff chances

After adjusting for the uncertainty of Tagovailoa’s status for the rest of the regular season and possibly the postseason, the Dolphins’ playoff projections fall 5.0%. These projections give him a 10% chance of playing in Week 17, and a 50% playing in any game after that. — Mock

Who steps up in Tua’s absence?

Teddy Bridgewater is a serviceable backup and the weapons on the Miami offense should make things easier for him. He’s been a little careless with the ball this season — three interceptions in 58 attempts — but he hasn’t started and finished a game yet this season.

Starter repetitions in practice should give him enough familiarity with his targets to keep his turnovers down and keep the Dolphins more than likely to grab a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. — Mock

Required Reading

(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)



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Bears QB Justin Fields is developing into a star

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ESPN’s Dan Graziano said it’s not an overreaction to believe Fields is finally going to be the answer at quarterback for the Bears.

There’s a ton to like about Fields and what he’s showing right now. Ever since that lackluster Thursday night loss to the Washington Commanders a few weeks back, after which the coaches and the front office got together and worked out a plan to better utilize Fields’ legs as a means of getting him more comfortable in the offense, he has looked like a different and far more confident player.

He’s making sharp decisions, he’s clearly in command, and he clearly seems to have the skills to succeed in the league. And he’s doing all of this with what’s probably one of the weakest all-around rosters in the league. The Bears, remember, traded away two of their best defensive players last week and traded for Chase Claypool to get Fields some help. They know they have a ton of work to do on their roster in the offseason, but if they can beef up the defense and the offensive line, and keep putting pieces around Fields to help him continue his development, the future is bright for the Ohio State product in the Windy City.

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Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa out of concussion protocol

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was cleared from concussion protocol Saturday, a source said, but he will not play this week against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tagovailoa is expected to return for the Dolphins’ Week 7 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source said.

Tagovailoa has not played since leaving the field on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in Week 4 when he was spun to the ground and hit his head on the turf. That tackle was similar to one from a week before, after which Tagovailoa appeared unsteady on his feet but was allowed to return to the game after clearing concussion testing.

After Tagovailoa suffered the Week 4 concussion, the quarterback, his team of independent doctors and the Dolphins followed a thorough process that far exceeded the NFL’s concussion protocol, sources said. He received four outside opinions, in addition to the opinions of team doctors, who unanimously cleared him from the protocol, and all agreed that his scans showed no signs of long-term impact to the brain. This is a best-case scenario for the quarterback who was off to a impressive start to the 2022 season.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel ruled Tagovailoa out on Wednesday, saying he wasn’t comfortable making him active after going two weeks without any football activity.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was also cleared from concussion protocol Saturday, sources said. He will be active Sunday, but will back up rookie Skylar Thompson, a seventh-round draft pick who will be making his first career start.

Thompson completed 16 of 33 passes for 166 yards and an interception in relief of Bridgewater against the New York Jets last week, but his first career NFL action included returning to the sideline without any teammate who played his position waiting for him.

With Bridgewater expected to operate as his backup Sunday and Tagovailoa roaming the sideline, Thompson’s first start should have a different feel to it.

“They’ve helped me a lot,” Thompson said. “Whether they’ve vocally said something to me to teach me something or whatnot, they’ve taught me a ton through their actions and the way they carry themselves, the way they prepare. I’m very, very grateful for those guys.”

ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques contributed to this report.

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Teddy Bridgewater: NFL’s new concussion protocol triggered Miami Dolphins QB’s removal Sunday, team says

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CNN
 — 

Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took a big hit Sunday and was unable to return to the game because of the new concussion protocol that went into effect the same day, making Bridgewater one of the first players to be sidelined under the new rules.

Bridgewater suffered a blow to the head during his first snap of the game when he was tackled to the ground after throwing the ball. The Dolphins tweeted that he was evaluated for injuries to both his head and elbow and later announced he was ruled out of the game.

“Basically what happened was a spotter saw him [Bridgewater] stumble, and under the new rules and changes he is ruled out and placed in the protocol,” said Mike McDaniel, Dolphins head coach. “He doesn’t have any symptoms and he’s passed his evaluation but he’ll be now, under the new regulations, in the concussion protocol.”

Bridgewater was starting in place of Tua Tagovailoa, who was also placed on concussion protocol.

CNN has reached out to the Miami Dolphins for more information. The National Football League uses ATC spotters, who are independent certified athletic trainers, to monitor all games. The spotters “serve as another set of eyes, watching for possible injuries at every NFL game,” according to NFL Football Operations.

Stumbling is a considered a sign of ataxia as it demonstrates impaired motor function. The league defines ataxia as “abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue.”

The protocol modification announced by the NFL and NFL Player’s Association Saturday said a player showing signs of ataxia while being evaluated for a concussion would be prohibited from returning to the game.

The protocols were updated Saturday in an agreement between the league and the NFLPA, coming in response to the injury of Tagovailoa. The 24-year-old was injured during the September 25 game against the Buffalo Bills, but was able to return to play despite appearing awkward on his feet and stumbling over himself.

Four days later, on September 29, Tagovailoa was slammed to the ground by Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou. The quarterback’s arms and fingers immediately contorted into a gruesome position known as the “fencing response,” a sign of brain injury, and he lay motionless on the field for several minutes.

He was ultimately placed on a backboard and stretcher and taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion.

The NFLPA launched a review into the handling of Tagovailoa’s injury and terminated the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who was involved in Tagovailoa’s concussion evaluation.

In the aftermath of the Tagovailoa saga, more players have been ruled out of games.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts running back, was ruled out for the rest of Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos with a concussion. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints wide receiver, was also ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.



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Tua Tagovailoa should retire after concussion: Bennet Omalu

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Bennet Omalu, the famed neuropathologist who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in former football players, has advised that Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa “stop playing” football after suffering a concussion last Thursday.

“Tua, my brother. I love you,” Omalu told TMZ. “I love you as much as I love my son. Stop playing. Stop. Hang your helmet and gallantly walk away.”

Tagovailoa was stretchered off the field in Miami’s loss to the Bengals on “Thursday Night Football” after the back of his head crashed into the ground following on a hit by Cincinnati nose tackle Josh Tupou.

The quarterback’s fingers flexed in a “fencing response,” and he remained on the field for nearly 10 minutes before he was carted off and subsequently hospitalized. It came just four days after he appeared wobbly after appearing to hit his head on the field against the Bills.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is carted off the field after an injury in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
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Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“My advice to him is, look, it’s time,” Omalu said. “You’ve suffered severe, long-term permanent brain damage. He seized… If you love your life. If you love your family, you love your kids, if you have kids, it’s time to gallantly walk away. Go find something else to do.

“He should stop. Sometimes money is not more valuable than human life. $20 billion is not worth more than your brain.”

Omalu, who authored the 2018 book, “Brain Damage in Contact Sports,” was the first to identify CTE in the brains of deceased athletes and military veterans.

In December 2015, Sony Pictures produced and released a major Hollywood film titled “Concussion” on Bennet’s life and work. Will Smith played Dr. Omalu in the film. 

Dr. Bennet Omalu speaking at a briefing sponsored by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) on Capitol Hill on January 12, 2016 in Washington, DC.
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Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jets.

In a statement posted to Twitter on Friday, Tagovailoa said he is “feeling much better and focused on recovering” in order to return to action.

DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, has vowed to pursue “every legal option” to investigate a potential protocol violation by the Dolphins concerning Tagovailoa.

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Miami Dolphins say QB Tua Tagovailoa ruled out for Week 5 game vs. New York Jets

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The Miami Dolphins have ruled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out for Week 5 against the New York Jets, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s MRI came back clean but that it’s “too early to give a definite timeline” for when his starting quarterback will be able to return from the concussion he suffered last Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Tagovailoa, who remains in the concussion protocol, was at the Dolphins’ facility on Monday, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

He is expected to be interviewed early this week in the NFL and NFL Players Association’s joint investigation of his quick return to the Week 3 game against the Buffalo Bills, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The league and players’ association indicated Saturday that their review is ongoing while adding they agree that “modifications to the concussion protocol are needed to enhance player safety.”

A league official told Schefter that the investigation is expected to last another week or two, and the results will be announced “almost immediately after.”

Tagovailoa initially seemed to exhibit concussion symptoms after the hit to his head late in the first half of Miami’s Week 3 home game against Buffalo, but he was cleared by a team physician and an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant to return in the second half. Tagovailoa and the team later said his legs were wobbly because of a back injury.

After the Thursday hit, in which 6-foot-3, 340-pound Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou slammed Tagovailoa backward into the turf, the quarterback’s hands froze up and his fingers flexed awkwardly in front of his face mask for several seconds as he lay on the ground in Cincinnati. He remained on the ground for several minutes until he was taken away on a stretcher and sent to a hospital. He was released from the hospital and flew home with the Dolphins hours later.

The NFLPA fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant on Saturday, saying in a joint statement with the league that they “anticipate changes to the protocol being made in the coming days based on what has been learned thus far in the review process.” Sources told ESPN that the firing came after it was found the consultant made “several mistakes” in his evaluation of Tagovailoa.

Teddy Bridgewater, who replaced Tagovailoa in the Week 4 loss against the Bengals, will get the start on Sunday against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques contributed to this report.

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Tua Tagovailoa: Miami Dolphins quarterback taken off the field on stretcher during game against Bengals

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CNN
 — 

The Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher on Thursday during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, after suffering apparent head and neck injuries – less than a week after being injured in another game.

Tagovailoa is conscious, has movement in all his extremities and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, the team said in an update. It added that he is expected to be released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and travel back to Miami with the team tonight.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed after the team’s 27-15 loss that Tagovailoa did not have anything more serious than a concussion.

In the second quarter, Tagovailoa was sacked by Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou and laid motionless on the field for several minutes.

The entire Dolphins sidelines walked onto the field as Tagovailoa was placed on the backboard and stretcher.

Bengals fans in attendance at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati showed their respect as Tagovailoa was carted off the field.

“It was a scary moment,” McDaniel said after the game. “He was evaluated for a concussion and is in concussion protocol …That was an emotional moment. That is not part of the deal anyone signs up for even though you know its a possibility in football.”

“All of his teammates, myself, we were all very concerned,” he added.

In a statement Thursday night, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) said player health and safety were at the “core” of their mission.

“Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery,” it said. “Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.”

The incident comes just days after Tagovailoa suffered another apparent head injury last Sunday, in a game against the Buffalo Bills.

He had exited the game in the second quarter after a hit from linebacker Matt Milano caused his helmet to hit the turf. On his way back to the line of scrimmage, Tagovailoa stumbled and almost lost his balance.

He was then checked for a concussion and cleared, and came back out onto the field in the third quarter.

Afterward, the NFLPA told the National Football League (NFL) it wants to initiate a review into the handling of Tagovailoa’s apparent head injury.

The Dolphins later said Tagovailoa suffered a back injury, not a head injury.

Tagovailoa was listed as questionable to play before tonight’s game with a back injury.

On Thursday, McDaniel defended the team’s decision to play Tagovailoa despite the previous injury, saying an independent doctor specializing in “brain matter” had cleared him to play.

“For me, as long as I’m coaching here, I’m not going to fudge that whole situation – if there’s any sort of inclination that someone has a concussion, they go into the concussion protocol,” he said. “We don’t mess with that. I never have and as long as I’m the head coach, it will never be an issue that you guys have to worry about.”

When asked if there was anything different the team could have done after Tagovailoa’s injury on Sunday, McDaniel responded with a resounding “absolutely not.”

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How does NFL’s concussion protocol work? Questions surrounding Tua Tagovailoa

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When Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa appeared to suffer a head injury in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, it raised questions about the NFL’s concussion protocol. Tagovailoa hit his head on the turf after being pushed by Bills linebacker Matt Milano. Grabbing his helmet with both hands and slowly gathering himself off the turf, Tagovailoa then stumbled and had to be held up by teammates.

He briefly exited the game with what announcers speculated could be a concussion. But he returned after passing the NFL’s concussion protocol and led the Dolphins to a Week 3 win.

Shortly after the game, the NFL Players Association announced it was launching an investigation into Miami’s decision to allow Tagovailoa to return. How does the league’s concussion protocol work and who has the final say about when a player returns to the field? We break it down.

What happens when a player appears to suffer a head injury?

The NFL has a board of independent and NFL-affiliated physicians and scientists, including advisers for the NFL Players Association known as the NFL head, neck and spine committee. This committee developed the league’s concussion protocol in 2011 but review and update it each year to ensure the “most up-to-date medical consensus on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions.



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