Patriots take AFC East top spot, just
Last week’s results left the AFC East in a perpetual state of flux. All four teams tallied a 3-3 record over the first six weeks of the season, and no team looked as though it really wanted to take a strangle-hold on the division. Not even the much-fancied New England Patriots.
Week 7 promised just one thing; there would be separation after play ceased.
New England welcomed the Jets to Foxboro in the first clash of the season between the two long-time rivals. Buffalo welcomed the AFC South’s Tennessee Titans to Orchard Park in a vital matchup for both sides, while Miami had the benefit of a bye week to enjoy the South Beach Sunshine.
New York Jets 26, New England Patriots 29 (OT)
Rob Ninkovich causes and recovers a Mark Sanchez fumble in overtime to give the Patriots the win.
For the second straight week, and the fourth time in six games, the New England Patriots found themselves in a fight to the death.
Following last week’s late loss to Seattle, New England blew a 23-13 lead going into the fourth quarter and had to rely on a 43-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to force overtime against the New York Jets.
Gostkowski came up big again on the first possession of overtime, connecting with a 48-yarder before Rob Ninkovich forced and recovered a Mark Sanchez fumble to seal the deal.
The scrappy result sees New England (4-3) take sole possession of the top spot in the AFC East.
Bettors backing the Jets against the spread were rewarded, with the three-point differential beating both the 13-point opening and 11-point kickoff spread. The total – which stood at 47 – went over.
New England now boards a flight for London, England, traveling to Wembley Stadium to take on the St. Louis Rams (3-4) in the NFL International Series game next Sunday. The Patriots open as favorites (-6).
Meanwhile, the Jets (3-4) return to New Jersey and welcome another divisional foe, Miami (3-3). The Jets open as three-point favorites.
Up Next: (NE) at St. Louis Rams (3-4) (London, UK); (NYJ) Vs. Miami Dolphins (3-3)
Tennessee Titans 35, Buffalo Bills 34
The Bills found themselves looking at the back of Chris Johnson for most of Sunday afternoon.
Whilst New England was on the right side of late-game shenanigans, Buffalo found itself well and truly on the wrong side.
Leading 34-28 late in the fourth quarter, the Bills failed to prevent Matt Hasselbeck leading the Tennessee Titans up the field and tossing a 15-yard touchdown to Nate Washington. Rob Bironas converted the extra point to give the Titans a 35-34 lead with just over a minute left on the clock. The Bills subsequently failed to convert on fourth down, effectively handing the game to Tennessee.
Buffalo now moves to 1-2 at home, a worrying trend considering the team’s widely-reported struggles on the road that date back beyond last season.
The Bills (3-4) won’t be favored in many games this season, so Sunday’s loss was very much a missed opportunity. Meanwhile, Tennessee (3-4) won for the third time this season, with each win coming with the Titans as underdogs. Bettors taking the over on the total were rewarded in what was a surprising offensive display, which included three touchdowns in one 30 second spell in the first quarter.
Buffalo now enjoys a bye week, something it desperately needs, particularly with Houston and New England up next.
Up Next: Bye
Dolphins Take Time To Regroup
Very much an unknown commodity in the AFC East this season, the Miami Dolphins (3-3) spent Week 7 idle. Whilst there are teams that need a bye week by the time it comes around, this week’s layoff might prove costly for the Fins.
Riding a two-game win streak, the Dolphins have performed well of late. Those two wins were preceded by two overtime losses and a win. Almost shockingly, Miami could realistically be 5-1 at this point, something nobody would have predicted preseason.
We’ll find out in Week 8 how costly this break has been, as the Dolphins visit the Jets. Miami opens as three-point underdogs, but the way this season has panned out, this game really could go either way.
Up Next: at New York Jets (3-4)
