MIAMI (FL) -- We've grown accustomed to some great matchups over the years between the New York Jets (8-1, 2-0 AFC East) and the Miami Dolphins (6-3, 0-3). Sunday's game was not one of them as the Jets dismantled the Dolphins 34-6 in front of a silent Hard Rock Stadium crowd.
Derek Carr, rushed onto the field after an in-season trade from these same Jets, looked lost and confused against the Aaron Donald led pass rush.
The Fresno State product finished with only 89 passing yards and was sacked twice by the afore-mentioned Donald.
"It was a statement game for us," Donald said. "This division is ours and we need to start putting these other teams away."
Without much need to get aggressive, rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his MVP caliber season with 289 yards passing and 3 TDs to go along with his 131.4 passer rating.
For his efforts, Jackson earned yet another AFC Player of the Week award.
"It's go time," Jackson said. "The team made it loud and clear that it's my team moving forward by moving Derek (Carr). It's my job to show them they were right."
With Tyreek Hill facing double teams throughout, WR Jamison Crowder had his best game as Jet with 12 catches for 140 yards and a TD.
The Jets will now head home to take on the Buffalo Bills, who are still without Aaron Rodgers.
Miami will travel to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to take on the 1-7 Green Bay Packers.
CHICAGO BEARS 10 @ BUFFALO BILLS 17
ORCHARD PARK (NY) -- When the 70,000 plus fans piled into New Era Field Sunday morning to watch their Buffalo Bills (8-1, 1-0) take on the Chicago Bears, they were not expecting to watch a rock fight, but that is what they got as the Bills squeaked out a 17-10 win over the visiting side.
Josh McCown improved upon his 4-pick night from last week with a turnover free game.
Buffalo's defense led the way, stifling the Chicago attack throughout.
Sophomore Jamal Adams picked up a pair of INTs, including the game-clincher, to earn the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"We just needed to get through today to get to the Jets next week," Adams said. "They have no idea who's coming for them. Be ready. You know what, I'm feeling like Broadway Jamal right now. We will win that game. I guarantee it."
Late in the third, with his team controlling the game, despite the score differential, head coach Sean McDermott inexplicably called for a fake field goal at mid-field with the Bears playing a base defense. It did not work.
"We tried to get too cute there," McDermott said. "It ended up not being cute at all."
The Bills will now take their winning streak on the road to battle the New York Jets. It's too early to tell if Adams' proclamation will help his team or provide extra motivation for the defending champs.
GREEN BAY PACKERS 10 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 24 (SNF)
BOSTON (MA) -- Dak Prescott and his squad did just enough to get past the reeling Green Bay Packers 24-10 on Sunday Night Football. The Patriots (8-1, 1-1) needed this win to get past last week's demoralizing first loss of the season.
"We want to win every game," Prescott said. "Last week didn't work out, but we got one tonight and we hope to keep it moving next week."
Prescott finished with 234 passing yards and a pair of TDs on the night.
Defensively, the Patriots mixed up their coverages and confused rookie Josh Allen all night.
"Our coaches always put us in the right places," Morgan Burnett said. "Tonight it worked real well."
Burnett notched a clutch 2nd half INT to end a promising GB drive.
New England will now eagerly watch the Buffalo/New York game next week with an eye on regaining the top spot in the division down the line. The Pats will also head to Tennessee to take on the Titans.
