2015 Season - Week #5

Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

BUFFALO                 10       13       3         0         26

TENNESSEE            7         0         3         8         18

NASHVILLE – Todd Gurley continued his strong start to the 2015 season with a 2-touchdown, 228 total yard performance as the Buffalo Bills (2-3) held off the Tennessee Titans 26-18 in Nashville.

A stingy Bills defense held the Titans to 60 yards on the ground for the day a week after folding late against the Giants.

“This was a statement game for us,” Luke Kuechly said. “We wanted to come on and send a message that last week is behind us.”

Kuechly patrolled the field for the Bills all day with a team high 12 tackles.

The Buffalo offense moved the ball efficiently all game, but found themselves settling for too many field goals as Dan Carpenter went 4-for-4 on the day.

“I’m happy with the win,” Aaron Rodgers said. “But I really want to start putting seven (touchdowns) on the board in those situations moving forward.

The Bills head home this week to face Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals.

2015 - Quarter 1 Three Up & One Down

Throughout the season we will be providing a quarterly update for each of our “3-Guys” franchises.

BUFFALO BILLS (1-3, 0-2 AFC East)

Three Up

1. The play of rookie Todd Gurley has been inspiring for this Bills squad. Gurley is a threat between the tackles and receiving the ball. One rival GM compared him to a Marty Schottenheimer-coached LaDainian Tomlinson (not a bad comparison).

2. Luke Kuechly and Clay Matthews have proved to be an intimidating force in Buffalo. No other set of linebackers in the NFL can compete with this duo at the moment.

3. Wide Receiver Devin Funchess is quietly developing into a solid weapon and security blanket for Aaron Rodgers. The 6-foot-5 rookie struggled with drops early in camp, but has put those issues to bed with back-to-back solid performances.

One Down

1. Riverboat Rex Ryan cost his team dearly in this week’s home loss to the Giants. Tied, late in the 4^th quarter, Ryan decided to go for it on a 4th-and-2 instead of opting to pin Eli Manning deep. Ryan, in the past, has been good at trusting his defense and needs to get back to his roots to turn things around in Buffalo.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-2, 1-1 AFC East)

Three Up

1. Thomas Rawls, undrafted out of college, has taken the league by storm with 3-consecutive 100-yard games. Rawls fits perfectly with Miami’s power run scheme and has been the workhorse for the Dolphins to start 2015.

2. Joe Philbin has called his coaching philosophy “subtly adaptable.” After their opening week embarrassment to the Redskins, the team paired down their playbook and focused on running the football (yielding consecutive wins). Now, after the team’s heartbreaking loss to Tavon Austin and the Jets, Philbin has offered that the bye week will allow the team to move Khalil Mack back down to defensive end while pushing Bobby Wagner back to his more familiar middle linebacker spot in an effort to “subtly” get his playmakers in more favorable matchups.

3. With Earl Thomas and Byron Jones set to return in the coming weeks, Miami’s favor may improve with this boost to their secondary. The bye week is coming at a good time for Dolphin fans.

One Down

1. Field Goal issues have plagued a Dolphins team that championed the importance of winning Special Teams early in the season. Justin Tucker has been uncharacteristically shaky during his first 4 games in Miami. On a positive Special Teams note: Punter Brandon Fields has quickly become the king of the coffin corner with an incredible seven punts inside the 10-yard line to start the season.

NEW YORK JETS (2-2, 1-0 AFC East)

Three Up

1. Dab less and win more is the new mantra in Gotham. As Cam Newton declared to only dance at this year’s Super Bowl, Superman has returned for the Jets. After racking up 9-INTs in his first two games, Newton hasn’t turned the ball over once in his past two while completing 72% of his passes.

2. Tavon Austin has always been feared as a weapon of mass destruction. But the third year player had yet to live up to the hype until his explosive Week 4 performance against Miami. With Austin requiring specific scheme adjustments for opponents, Newton and the rest of the New York offense is set to take off.

3. Tight End Orson Charles has become a favorite target for Cam Newton. Charles seems to be always open and has a knack for finding the end zone.

One Down
1. After back-to-back impressive wins after their dismal start, there is little fault to be found with Todd Bowles’ squad. The only question mark for the Jets following their bye will be their ability to continue improving as the rest of the league catches up to their offensive scheme.

2015 Season - Week #4

New York Jets @ Miami (London, England)

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

NEW YORK              14       10       0         10       34

MIAMI                       7         7         7         10       31

LONDON – British fans were treated to the NFL’s game of the week in London, England Sunday morning as the Jets (2-2, 1-0 AFC East) defeated their rivals from Miami (2-2, 1-1) 34-31.

Cam Newton controlled the game for the Jets with a conservative gameplan designed to get his playmakers free in space.

“It got close there at the end,” Newton said. “But I feel like we controlled this thing throughout. Tavon (Austin) came up clutch to get us this much needed win.”

Austin lived up to his speedster reputation with117 yards rushing, including a 67-yard end around to the 10-yard line with five seconds left in the game to set up the game winning field goal.

“We did not expect that obviously,” Todd Bowles said. “It was 2^nd and long there and we just wanted to give Cam a shot at getting us in field goal range on 3^rd down.”

Newton finished 31-42 with 331 yards passing and 3 TD passes.

Dolphins players were noticeably dejected leaving Wembley Stadium.

“They won the game straight up,” Thomas Rawls said. “But we also left some points out there. That’s what’s good about being a division game – we will see them again.”

Rawls continued his hot start to the season with 31 carries and 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Both teams head into their bye weeks with identical 2-2 records.

The Jets next face the Washington Redskins at home while the Dolphins travel to Tennessee in Week 6.

New York Giants @ Buffalo Bills

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

NEW YORK              0         7         10       10       27

BUFFALO                 3         14       7         0         24

BUFFALO – A questionable 4th-and-2 decision by Rex Ryan late in the 4^th quarter doomed the Buffalo Bills (1-3, 0-2 AFC East) Sunday against the Giants with a 27-24 loss at home.

“Look, we got the best quarterback in the game,” Ryan said. “We are going for that every time.”

The fatal call game New York the ball near midfield. Eli Manning led his team in a controlled effort into Buffalo territory before Josh Brown picked up the game winner.

Rodgers took all the blame after the heartbreaking loss.

“I blew it – this one’s one me,” Rodgers said. “I’m not happy and we’ll turn it around.”

Rodgers played an efficient game, but threw an early pick-6 that kept the Giants in the game.

Todd Gurley played outstanding for the Bills in a losing effort with 180 total yards and a touchdown.

“No stats matter if we don’t get the W,” Gurley said. “We just got to get back at it and get ready for the Titans.”

The Bills now set their sights on the Titans in Tennessee. 

2015 Season - Week #3

Buffalo @ Miami

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

BUFFALO                 7         3         0         0         10

MIAMI                      3         10       7         10       30

MIAMI – In a game that more closely resembled a drunken alley brawl than an NFL football game, the Miami Dolphins (2-1, 1-0 AFC East) defeated their bitter rivals from Buffalo (1-2, 0-2 AFC East) 30-10 in Miami.

Both teams combined for six turnovers, a 22% third down conversion rate and frustrated coaching staffs.

The Bills were only able to muster 168 total yards on offense, with a paltry 40 rushing yards. Aaron Rodgers received no help from his receiving corps with a combined 11 drops by his receivers.

“You’re paid to catch the ball, then you catch the damn ball,” Bills coach Rex Ryan said. “Dammit. This is a damn shame. I hate our wide receivers – all of them.”

Thomas Rawls was the star for Miami with 142 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns (one coming on a 58 yard catch and run on a screen pass).

Having been linked to an Al Jazeera report linking him to PED use in his past, Rawls had to backpedal for the first time all day when cornered by reporters at his locker.

“Look, that is crap,” Rawls said. “There is not truth there – they are just trying to get readers.”

Rawls and his Dolphin teammates stay home next week to take on Todd Bowles and the New York Jets (1-2). The Bills head home to take on the New York Giants.

Philadelphia @ New York Jets

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

PHILADELPHIA    0         0         0         0         0

NEW YORK             10       7         0         6         23

NEW YORK – The New York Jets (1-2) were able to right the ship that is their 2015 season with an emphatic wire-to-wire shut out victory against the Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) Sunday in the Meadowlands 23-0.

The New York defense gave up only 157 yards on a day when the game was never in doubt.

“This is the type of defense we are going to play for the rest of the year,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “Our owner called me in last week and asked me if we were a team wanting to go 0-16. I told him we’d fix it all against Philadelphia.”

Cam Newton efficiently led his offensive attack with a 20-23 day with no turnovers.

“I love our ground game,” Newton said. “David (Johnson) killed it for real. He was unstoppable.”

The Jets travel to Miami to square off against the Dolphins (2-1) in New York’s first AFC East game of the season.

2015 Season - Week #2

New England @ Buffalo

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

NEW ENGLAND     7         10       7         10       34

BUFFALO                 10       0         0         0         10

BUFFALO – After an opening drive, 72-yard touchdown catch and run by tight end Vance McDonald, the Buffalo (1-1) offense went cold falling to the New England Patriots (2-0) Sunday in the Meadowlands. This hard fought defensive battle remained close until late in the 3^rd quarter when the Patriots flexed their muscle and pulled away from a reeling Bills squad.

“I’m not happy with the effort today outside of that first drive,” Bills coach Rex Ryan said. “We need to re-group and get ready for the Dolphins.”

Todd Gurley continued his impressive start to the 2015 campaign with 109 yards rushing and 45 through the air.

“It’s all about the W,” Gurley said. “When we come up short, it doesn’t matter what anybody does with their stats.”

Buffalo travels to Miami next week to play the Dolphins (1-1). 

Miami @ Jacksonville

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

MIAMI                      7         10       7         0         24

JACKSONVILLE    3         0         10       0         13

JACKSONVILLE – The changes implemented by Miami Dolphins (1-1) head coach Joe Philbin after last week’s embarrassing performance against the Redskins paid dividends with a 24-13 pummeling against the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1).

The Miami offense put up only 10 passes (with quarterback Jimmy Garappolo completing 9-of-10) to complement their ground game that racked up 278 yards on the day.

“We wanted to pound the rock,” tight end Dion Sims said. “This is a man’s game – and today we manned up.”

Thomas Rawls did the bulk of the work with 28 carries and 127 yards for the Dolphins while Christine Michael added two long touchdown runs to go along with 111 rushing yards.

Newly added defensive end Courtney Upshaw picked up a pair of sacks as the Miami defense made amends for their loss in DC a week ago with six total team sacks.

“I love this team,” Upshaw said. “They welcomed me with open arms and I’m so happy to be here.”

Miami will host the Bills (1-1) next week to kick off their 2015 home campaign.

New York @ Indianapolis

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

NEW YORK              0         6         0         14       20

INDIANAPOLIS      17       3         7         7         34

INDIANAPOLIS – Untimely turnovers and penalties doomed the New York Jets (0-2) Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts (1-1).

With two red zone interceptions, a litany of drops and a holding call taking a TD run off the board, Todd Bowles had lots to address in his postgame press conference.

“I don’t have much to say to be honest,” Bowles said. “I’m embarrassed for all of us. I would be surprised if we all had jobs in the morning.”

Bowles spent the next 20-minutes lambasting his receiving corps for their route running and ball catching efforts.

“We have the best offensive line in the league and a franchise quarterback, but no one on the outside who can catch the ball,” Bowles said. “Heck, I can’t tell if they can catch the ball because they are never running the correct routes.”

The Colts DB’s did plenty of catching for both sides picking off four Cam Newton passes on the day.

“I’m a sore loser man,” Newton said. “I’m done.” 
After storming out of his postgame interview, Newton presumably went to study up on the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) defense in anticipation of next week’s game in New Jersey.

2015 Season - Week #1

Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

CLEVELAND           7         17       7         7         38

NEW YORK              7         0         0         0         7

NEW YORK – A nightmare start for the 2015 New York Jets (0-1) led to an eventual 38-7 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Browns (1-0) Sunday at Metlife Stadium.

Cam Newton threw a trio of first half interceptions to remove all momentum after a first quarter, first drive, 60-yard touchdown run by Shane Vereen. 

“This one’s on me man,” Newton said. “I let everyone down. We will bounce back next week for sure.”

The New York rush defense held up against the Cleveland ground attack, but the Johnny Manziel to Gary Barnbridge combination proved fatal to the Jets.

The Jets travel to Indianapolis next week to face the Colts.

Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

INDIANAPOLIS      3         17       0         8         28

BUFFALO                 0         7         14       10       31

BUFFALO – Aaron Rodgers worked his last second magic again to open the 2015 Buffalo Bills (1-0) campaign with a stunning walk-off victory against the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) Sunday afternoon.

A 4^th Quarter roughing the passer penalty by IK Empali kept the game-tying Colts drive alive with 3:22 remaining in the game.

At 28-28, with 60,000 Bills fans stunned after the improbable (and penalty-aided) Colts comeback, Rodgers orchestrated a 6-play, 55-yard drive into field goal range to calm the fears of the masses – including a 27-yard strike to wide receiver Tyler Lockett with 00:01 left on the clock.

“I knew where Dan’s (Carpenter) range was and we needed to hit that spot,” Rodgers said. “Tyler (Lockett) made a great catch and we had that timeout which helped us use the entire field.”

With Andrew Luck leaving after the first series of the game with a collarbone injury, Matt Hasselbeck led the Indianapolis attack in an uneven fashion with a pair of TD passes to go along with a trio of fumbles (2 lost).

“I wasn’t good enough today,” Hasselbeck said. “Hopefully we can get Andrew back next week against the Jets.”

Next week the Bills square off against the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

Miami Dolphins @ Washington Redskins

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

MIAMI                      7         0           0         0         7

WASHINGTON        3         20       10       10       43

WASHINGTON DC – After forcing the Washington Redskins (1-0) to kick a 22-yard field goal, the Miami Dolphins (0-1) methodically marched down the field with an 18-play, 78-yard touchdown drive to put them up 7-3. That is where the good news for the Dolphins ended.

With 4 interceptions by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, a porous run defense, and Justin Tucker spraying the endzone with missed field goal opportunities, your 2015 Miami Dolphins look to be the front-runners for the number one pick in the draft.

“We stunk,” head coach Joe Philbin said after the game. “We will be making some immediate changes."

Philbin was a man of his word. Yahoo! Sports reported that, in the locker room following the game, Philbin fired offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle during a heated discussion about play-calling. Philbin then held a players only meeting and told the team they would be getting ‘old school’ moving forward by transitioning back into a 4-3 defense with an emphasis on running the football on offense.
The circus that is the Miami Dolphins will take on the 1-0 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.