New York Jets vs New Orleans Saints
1 2 3 4 FINAL
NEW YORK 0 13 15 0 28
NEW ORLEANS 10 7 14 10 41
NEW ORLEANS – A week after clinching their first playoff appearance during of the 3GML era, the New York Jets (11-3) fell back to earth with a disappointing 41-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Pundits will point to the 'would, coulda, shoulda' factor with the Jets essentially missing their entire roster of skill players on offense. The team also lost Aaron Donald for a majority of the game in the defeat.
"Obviously you want to win every game," Todd Bowles said. "But I'm proud of our guys. We kept it close until the end with a lot of second string guys out there contributing."
New York's defense kept them in it most of the way, but the team could not overcome six turnovers by their unrecognizable offense.
With one more win over the last two weeks, the Jets should be able to lock up the AFC East crown and potentially the AFC's #1 seed.
The team next hosts the Los Angeles Chargers before finishing with the struggling New England Patriots.
Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills
1 2 3 4 FINAL
MIAMI 0 7 3 7 17
BUFFALO 21 0 0 3 24
BUFFALO – In last year's Divisional Round, the Miami Dolphins (10-4, 3-2 AFC East) saw their season come to an end in a blizzard on New Era Field. Before all the fans had taken their seats, Teddy Bridgewater had tossed a pair of pick sixes and Marquette King had a punt blocked for a TD to put the team down 21 points early in the first quarter - a deficit the Buffalo Bills (9-4-1, 2-2) never relinquished.
"Obviously that's a terrible start by me personally," Bridgewater said. "We wanted to be aggressive in the snow early before it picked up, and their great secondary took advantage."
James Bradberry took another interception to the house in that pivotal quarter (another was called back due to penalty in the 3rd).
"People keep trying me," Bradberry said. "At some point they'll learn."
The Bills are now a half a game back of the #5 seed in the AFC.
The AFC East is now very compelling as we enter the final three weeks of the season. The New York Jets looked to be a lock three weeks ago to run away with the division, but now, with Kevin Hogan under center, any of the top three teams could walk away with the crown.
Miami will try to right their ship against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week #16 while the Bills take on the hapless Patriots. Both teams will meet in what should be an important Week #17 tilt down in South Beach.
New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 3 4 FINAL
NEW ENGLAND 10 7 0 0 17
PITTSBURGH 0 0 3 7 10
PITTSBURGH – After a strong start, the New England Patriots (4-9) were able to hold off the late-charging Pittsburgh Steelers who were operating without Ben Roethlisberger.
Rookie sensation Reuben Foster had another stellar outing for the Pats with seven tackles and another forced fumble.
"We are just rolling into next year," Foster said. "We want to be in that playoff hunt next year."
Dak Prescott was lost for most of the second half, but will most likely be available next week as the Pats aim to play spoiler versus the Bills.
