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 4th 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.
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.
