New York Jets @ New England
1 2 3 4 FINAL
NEW YORK 0 21 7 7 35
NEW ENGLAND 3 7 3 0 13
FOXBORO – In a game the team had to have, the New York Jets (9-6, 3-2 AFC East) sprinted past the New England Patriots (8-7, 1-4) 35-13 Sunday morning in Boston.
Trailing 3-0 early in the 2nd, the game seemed destined to become yet another close Jets game.
But, facing an obvious punting situation deep in their own territory, head coach Todd Bowles dialed up a perfectly timed fake punt that caught Bill Belichick and his team flat-footed.
"They made a play there," Belichick said. "It hurt us."
Punter Brandon Fields lobbed a wobbly ball 30-yards downfield to a streaking Jalen Ramsey who made Julian Edelman miss on his way for a 70-yard TD.
"I love coach's confidence in our defense," Ramsey said. "That fake was the spark we needed man."
Later in the eventual 21-point 2nd quarter, Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dante Fowler Jr. picked up a Brady fumble and raced 65-yards for a TD of his own.
The Jets never looked back.
"We are hungry," Fowler said. "This team ain't going out easy I'll tell you that."
David Johnson did his best to pound the rock and to grind the clock during his impressive 12-carry, 109 yard performance.
New York, although currently sitting comfortably in the AFC's 6th position, still needs a win next week at home against Buffalo to lock up a playoff berth.
Although the Jets hold tie-breakers over the Patriots, Jaguars, and Steelers, a multi-team tie at 9-7 that includes San Diego and/or Houston could be problematic for the Jets (although that scenario is unlikely).
Trailing 3-0 early in the 2nd, the game seemed destined to become yet another close Jets game.
But, facing an obvious punting situation deep in their own territory, head coach Todd Bowles dialed up a perfectly timed fake punt that caught Bill Belichick and his team flat-footed.
"They made a play there," Belichick said. "It hurt us."
Punter Brandon Fields lobbed a wobbly ball 30-yards downfield to a streaking Jalen Ramsey who made Julian Edelman miss on his way for a 70-yard TD.
"I love coach's confidence in our defense," Ramsey said. "That fake was the spark we needed man."
Later in the eventual 21-point 2nd quarter, Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dante Fowler Jr. picked up a Brady fumble and raced 65-yards for a TD of his own.
The Jets never looked back.
"We are hungry," Fowler said. "This team ain't going out easy I'll tell you that."
David Johnson did his best to pound the rock and to grind the clock during his impressive 12-carry, 109 yard performance.
New York, although currently sitting comfortably in the AFC's 6th position, still needs a win next week at home against Buffalo to lock up a playoff berth.
Although the Jets hold tie-breakers over the Patriots, Jaguars, and Steelers, a multi-team tie at 9-7 that includes San Diego and/or Houston could be problematic for the Jets (although that scenario is unlikely).
Miami @ Buffalo
1 2 3 4 FINAL
MIAMI 0 20 0 10 30
BUFFALO 10 0 0 14 24
BUFFALO – In easily one of the most anticipated match-ups of this amazing NFL season, the Buffalo Bills (13-2, 3-2 AFC East) fell to their hated rivals from Miami (13-2, 3-2) 30-24.
In a game that swung back-and-forth with both teams making uncharacteristic mistakes at inopportune moments, the Miami ground game and turnover-creating ability allowed their team to come out on top.
"This AFC East is brutal," Chris Ivory said. "Just like last week, both teams are very strong. If we played a 5th quarter you might just be over there talking to them about their victory."
The Dolphins defense harassed Aaron Rodgers all day forcing five turnovers (including four interceptions) while yielding only 173 yards through the air.
"They mixed it up well," Rodgers said. "But I made some bad throws - we can get it corrected."
With the Miami defense showing up to play, it was up to their offensive line to get back to the team's DNA of running the football.
As Jacoby Brissett seemed nervous and incapable of pushing the ball downfield, Adam Gase essentially scrapped his passing play sheets and gave the ball to Ivory and Thomas Rawls.
The duo didn't disappoint.
The Miami rushing attack finished with 309 rushing yards against the NFL's #1 rated defense (based on yards allowed).
"It felt great," Rawls said. "Our o-line deserves all the credit. It was great to have LJ (Lane Johnson) back out there for sure."
Rawls, who finished the game with, 154 yards rushing on only 13 carries, put the team ahead for good with his 77-yard TD run with just over 2-minutes remaining.
Ivory shouldered much of the heavy lifting with his 21-carry, 134 yard, and 2 TD performance.
Much-maligned corner Bashaud Breeland, newly moved to the slot, finished with two INTs and six tackles.
The Dolphins will head home to take on the Patriots with a chance to win their second consecutive AFC East crown (but only if the Jets defeat the Bills along with a Miami win over NE).
In a game that swung back-and-forth with both teams making uncharacteristic mistakes at inopportune moments, the Miami ground game and turnover-creating ability allowed their team to come out on top.
"This AFC East is brutal," Chris Ivory said. "Just like last week, both teams are very strong. If we played a 5th quarter you might just be over there talking to them about their victory."
The Dolphins defense harassed Aaron Rodgers all day forcing five turnovers (including four interceptions) while yielding only 173 yards through the air.
"They mixed it up well," Rodgers said. "But I made some bad throws - we can get it corrected."
With the Miami defense showing up to play, it was up to their offensive line to get back to the team's DNA of running the football.
As Jacoby Brissett seemed nervous and incapable of pushing the ball downfield, Adam Gase essentially scrapped his passing play sheets and gave the ball to Ivory and Thomas Rawls.
The duo didn't disappoint.
The Miami rushing attack finished with 309 rushing yards against the NFL's #1 rated defense (based on yards allowed).
"It felt great," Rawls said. "Our o-line deserves all the credit. It was great to have LJ (Lane Johnson) back out there for sure."
Rawls, who finished the game with, 154 yards rushing on only 13 carries, put the team ahead for good with his 77-yard TD run with just over 2-minutes remaining.
Ivory shouldered much of the heavy lifting with his 21-carry, 134 yard, and 2 TD performance.
Much-maligned corner Bashaud Breeland, newly moved to the slot, finished with two INTs and six tackles.
The Dolphins will head home to take on the Patriots with a chance to win their second consecutive AFC East crown (but only if the Jets defeat the Bills along with a Miami win over NE).
