Fins, Pats win big in Week 8

The AFC East may not have shown its true colors just yet, but Sunday saw the Patriots and Dolphins put some daylight between themselves and the rest of the division, a move that could be a harbinger of what’s to come within the division.

Miami Dolphins 30, New York Jets 9

The Dolphins swamped the Jets in every aspect of the game en route to a 30-9 upset victory.

The Jets celebrated the career of former defensive end Dennis Byrd, retiring his jersey on Sunday. In reality, Rex Ryan’s side could have done with Byrd in the game as the visiting Miami Dolphins put a world of hurt on the struggling Jets.

Despite the Jets talking big all week, it was the Dolphins that took the initiative in this one, leaping out to a 20-0.

Miami navigated a first quarter knee injury to rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, thanks to a productive performance by his replacement Matt Moore and the special teams unit.

Moore completed 11 of 19 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. The Miami running game combined for just shy of 100 yards and a touchdown. But it was the special teams unit that made the biggest impact.

In the first quarter, a blocked punt was recovered by Olivier Vernon in the end zone for a touchdown. On the Jets’ next drive, Mark Sanchez was sacked by Nolan Carroll and fumbled the ball. The Dolphins would recover, setting up a touchdown. Vernon would then block a field goal as half time approached, rendering a 70-yard Jets drive pointless, literally.

The Jets never looked in it, with Sanchez completing just 28 of his 54 passing attempts, gaining 283 yards while throwing one touchdown pass. His lost fumble was accompanied by an interception to ensure another miserable day at the office. The final score of 30-9 acted as retribution for a Dolphins side that had lost to the Jets in overtime back in Week 3.

The upset win – a third straight for the Dolphins – sees Miami progress to 4-3, while the hapless Jets fall to 3-5, with a two game losing streak.

Bettors that took the under at opening (39½) or the over at game time (38) were rewarded in this one.

Up Next: (MIA) at Indianapolis Colts (4-3); (NYJ) Bye

New England Patriots 45, St. Louis Rams 7

Rob Gronkowski and the New England Patriots pummeled the St. Louis Rams in London, England.

The Patriots conceded an early touchdown before pulverizing the St. Louis Rams in front of 84,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Sam Bradford’s 50-yard strike to Chris Givens merely acted as the hors d’oeuvre to New England’s six touchdown display, which included five on the Patriots’ first five possessions of the game.

Tom Brady threw for 304 yards on 23/35 passing with four touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski caught eight balls for 146 yards and two scores. Stevan Ridley piled on 127 yards and one of two New England rushing touchdowns. In short, this looked like the New England we’re used to seeing.

Easy winners of the game, New England (5-3) scored more points than any other team that has played in London as part of the NFL International Series. The Patriots are 2-0 at Wembley Stadium – following 2009’s win over Tampa Bay – and has conceded just 14 points in the two games. Maybe New England will look to visit Old England more often.

St. Louis (3-5) meanwhile looked completely out of its depth. Quashing a three-year deal to play in the UK after one year might have been a good move.

The blowout score saw New England – favored by seven at game time – smash the spread, and almost single-handedly force the over on the total (47). The dominance of the win, which may herald a return to form for the perennial AFC powerhouse, should see those Super Bowl odds shorten again this week.

Up Next: Bye

Buffalo Looks to Regroup

After last week’s shootout loss to Tennessee, Buffalo (3-4) was idle this week, ‘enjoying’ a bye week. The Bills will be delighted at the Jets’ loss, but a Miami win may have erased any slim hopes of making the postseason.

Those slim odds could take a crash diet again next week as the Bills travel to Houston to take on the formidable Texans. The Houston side opens as 11-point favorites, suggesting the Bills have little chance of success in the Lone Star State. An additional week to prepare could prove to be beneficial, but three losses in four games suggests otherwise.

Up Next: at Houston Texans (6-1)