AFC East Round-Up; Bills, Jets on the Slide
This look by Fitzpatrick says it all for the Bills.
I could easily open with something about the Peyton Manning-Tom Brady matchup but that’s been over done more than a Joan Rivers’ face-lift. I’ll get to their game soon enough along with the Dolphins’ impressive win on the road but I’ll start with some quick hits on the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.
Buffalo 3 at San Francisco 45 – When you give up 300 yards rushing, that’s a pretty good indicator that you’re going to lose. When you give up 300 yards rushing AND passing I can guarantee it in the NFL. This is exactly what happened to the Bills Sunday in the city by the bay as they were absolutely torched by the 49ers. The Bills themselves could only muster 204 yards of offense in the most lopsided game of the year. You know it’s bad when you’re leading rusher is a ‘wildcat’ who carried once for 35 yards. Not a good day on either side of the ball for the Bills.
Houston 23 at New York 17 – If we were giving out points for the ol’ college try then the Jets would be deserving, but we’re not because this is the NFL. Despite playing hard and some bad bounces, the Jets fell to the now 5-0 Texans on Monday Night Football. Mark Sanchez was better, but still completed less than 50% of his passes and was the victim of two tipped balls that were intercepted. Unfortunately, the offense still struggled and what the Jets are doing with Tim Tebow is anyone’s guess. Defensively, the Jets are completely unable to stop the run as Arian Foster went off again going for 140 on the ground.
Miami 17 at Cincinnati 13 – The Dolphins continued to play well behind rookie QB Ryan Tannehill and went into Paul Brown Stadium and knocked off the Bengals. Tannehill was 17 of 26 for 223 yards while his counterpart Andy Dalton threw two interceptions and was sacked three times. The Bengals now fall a game behind Baltimore who won their game over the Chiefs. The Dolphins meanwhile find themselves at 2-3, tied with the Bills and Jets.
Denver 21 at New England 31 – What was supposed to be all about Brady and Manning became all about Stevan Ridley. The young Pats’ running back ran for 151 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots are now all of the sudden a running team or at least look like it anyway. Manning had a great day going 31 of 44 for 345 yards and three scores but he couldn’t do much else. Brady threw for just 223 and a TD but he did reconnect with Wes Welker to the tune of 13 receptions for 104 yards and a score.
Looking Ahead to Week 6
Is it getting to be time for Tim Tebow in New York?
Indianapolis Colts (NL) at New York Jets – The Colts are coming into New York clearly on an emotional high after defeating the Packers in comeback fashion on Sunday. With team rallying around Head Coach Chuck Pagano and his battle with leukemia, this will be their first road test without him. Look for more heavy doses of Andrew Luck to Reggie Wayne, but that’s where the Jets will pay special attention. I have to believe Rex Ryan will cook something up for the rookie and will attempt to get Wayne out of the game-plan with Antonio Cromartie stuck to him. At some point, Ryan has to give Tebow a chance if Sanchez continues to struggle. It could come this week, but I still like the Colts to win a tight a tight one.
St. Louis Rams (+3) at Miami Dolphins – Head Coach Jeff Fisher has already done wonders with this Rams’ unit especially on defense. With Miami playing every game tough I expect this one to be no different. Look for Reggie Bush to get some heavy work, but I think both defense clamp down here. I like the Rams getting the three.
New England Patriots (-4) at Seattle Seahawks – This is the type of game where I think we find out just how good the Patriots are. It’s one of the toughest environments in pro football and the Seahawks defense plays much better at home than they do on the road. The problem for Seattle is rookie QB Russell Wilson going up against Bill Belichick who usually has his way against rookie QBs. Even on the road, I like the Pats giving the four.
Buffalo Bills (+5) at Arizona Cardinals – The schedule maker did the Bills no favorites with back-to-back trips to the Pacific time zone and I think it makes a difference here. Arizona is coming off of their first loss of the season where the offense was limited by an aggressive Rams’ defense. Buffalo’s D has been anything but and I think, believe it or not, that Kevin Kolb and the offense can have a big day. Take the Cards even giving the five.
