BUFFALO (NY) -- On a night when backup quarterback Josh McCown threw four interceptions, the Buffalo Bills (7-1, 1-0 AFC East) defense dominated the New England Patriots (7-1, 1-1) 28-7 to take over first place in the AFC.
McCown rebounded with a trio of TD passes while HB Todd Gurley was steady with 105 rushing yards and a TD of his own.
"It's back to where it should be," Gurley said. "We don't plan on giving up this top spot again."
The Patriots looked out of sorts all night.
For a team that looked like world-beaters through seven weeks, this squad resembled a bumbling circus more than a Super Bowl contender.
The Pats finished with negative rushing yards and, despite winning the turnover battle by four, could muster only a garbage time TD to avoid a shutout.
Wideout Jermaine Kearse almost scored a safety for the Bills by inexplicably running a route the wrong way before correcting his mistake for an 11-yard loss.
"I just don't know man," Kearse said. "This is a wakeup call for sure."
New England will have no time to reset as they now face a strong Green Bay squad at home.
The Bills also take on an NFC North foe as they remain home to take on the Chicago Bears.
NEW YORK JETS 21 @ CHICAGO BEARS 23
CHICAGO (IL) -- On a night when the New York Jets (7-1) could have put themselves in sole possession of first place in the AFC, the team laid an egg at Chicago with an embarrassing 23-21 road loss.
The vaunted Jets defensive line was non-existent and All Pro Aaron Donald will have to endure yet another week of Albert Haynesworth comparisons for not producing at the $20 million level that his contract suggests.
"It's a long season," Donald said. "Nobody was complaining when we (were) undefeated, now we are trash? Come on."
Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen ran through the New York defense throughout while Mitchell Trubisky did just enough to keep his team on top.
"We had a tough go with our first two AFC East games," Trubisky said. "But it's nice to take out the so called 'Super Team.'"
To make matters worse: The Jets also lost HB David Johnson for the second consecutive year to a season-ending injury.
"I'm devastated," Johnson said. "I can't even talk to be honest."
The Jets will now head to Miami to try to recapture their early season magic against the Dolphins.
MIAMI DOLPHINS 33 @ HOUSTON TEXANS 16
HOUSTON (TX) -- With trade rumors swirling around their starting quarterback, the Miami Dolphins (6-2) held it together with a strong ground attack to stifle the Houston Texans 33-16 on the road.
D'Onta Foreman and Kalen Ballage each rushed for over 100 yards, with Foreman closing with a career high 183 yards rushing.
"It was a strong day for our O-line," Foreman said. "I'm not trying to be negative here, but we only want guys who want to be here. We are a running team, if a change is made under center, whoever they bring in is going to understand we are a ground-and-pound team first."
Rookie defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick had another strong game with 13 tackles to boost his Defensive Rookie of the Year candidacy.
The Dolphins will head home to take on the New York Jets next week in a crucial AFC East matchup.
