AFC East Preview: Bills defeat Dolphins 19-14, Jets vs. Rams, Colts vs. Patriots
The AFC East kicked off Week 11 on Thursday night with the Buffalo Bills (4-6) stopping the Miami Dolphins (4-6) 19-14.
In Sunday’s games, it’s been a busy week for the Jets with the drama of its players anonymously dissing their quarterbacks. Hopefully Sunday’s game will distract the discord as the Jets (3-6) play the St. Louis Rams (3-5).
The other Sunday game is the improving, now sentimental favorite Indianapolis Colts (6-3) vs. the New England Patriots (6-3).
Dolphins vs. Bills
Bills DE Mario Williams
On Thursday, the Bills defense showed up and stopped the Dolphins thanks to a Mario Williams-dominated sack night along with two of three turnovers by Marcell Dareus.
All of this came from a league-bottom defense in yards allowed and points per game.
Hopes of the playoffs have been dashed for the rebuilding Dolphins while there’s still a sliver for the Bills. But the bettors aren’t too optimistic: odds are 40 to 1 for the Bills to take the AFC East.
Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill got beat up badly, going 14 for 28, 141 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and three sacks. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s stats weren’t much better: 17 for 27, 168 yards and three sacks.
Jets vs. Rams
Jets QB Mark Sanchez
There’s never a dull moment with the Jets. This week was no exception and with the team on the verge of possibly losing four straight games, you’d think they’d try to keep a low profile.
A perceived quarterback controversy has been at the top of the Jet’s list of problems this season but the team again reiterated on Thursday that Mark Sanchez is the team’s starter.
This is a little unfortunate as he sits as No. 30 in the league with his 70.9 passer rating.
Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Sanchez was 9 for 22, 124 yards and a pick that he lost as a fumble. He also has a NFL-low pass completion rate at 52.0 percent.
The Rams have quarterback Sam Bradford, who has undergone three straight losses as the team’s field general, but in last week’s tied game against the 49ers, he went 26 for 39, 275 yards and two touchdowns.
His wide receiver Danny Amendola is back from a shoulder injury and is one of his favorite targets. Last week, he had 11 receptions for 102 yards.
Rams running back Steve Jackson had 101 yards and a score last week. This play could happen again this week as the Jets allowed 174 yards rushing last week–which is another one of the Jets’ problems: an injured defense.
Both teams desperately need a win but the nod goes to the Rams at -3.5 with a 38.5 over/under.
Colts vs. Patriots
Patriots CB Aqib Talib
The Colts appear to be this year’s Cinderella story with their changes, low expectations and sick coach.
At 6-3, both teams are in the hunt for the playoffs but it could be the difference between their quarterbacks and luck.
Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck is having a phenomenal season: he has completed 208 of 362 attempts, 2,631 yards. This ranks him No. 8 in the league. He also has 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Oh yeah, he also likes to run and has 159 yards on the ground with five scores; he is one of the NFL’s top running quarterbacks.
One of his favorite weapons is wide receiver Reggie Wayne who sits at the top of the league with 7.7 receptions per game and No. 2 with his 103.4 yards per game.
But you can’t forget about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He had an off game last week against the Bills going 23 for 38, 237 yards and two scores but he has a 60 percent completion rate in 10 consecutive games.
His favorite weapons include tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Stevan Ridley.
This week, the Patriots defense could get a lift from recently acquired cornerback Aqib Talib, who is expected to debut on Sunday.
Which 6-3 team will win? The nod goes to the Patriots at -10 with a 54 over/under.
