2015 Season - Week #12

Miami @ New York Jets

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

MIAMI                      2         10       10       14       36

NEW YORK              3         3         8         7         21

NEW JERSEY – After a Cam Newton benching, Bryce Petty led the New York Jets (4-7, 2-2 AFC East) on a spirited comeback that fell short to the dominant defensive effort by the Miami Dolphins (6-5, 3-2).

On a day where the Jets turned the ball over six times, Newton had four interceptions and a lost fumble before taking a seat on the bench after halftime with a 27.6 passer rating.

“I didn’t have it today,” Newton said. “Coach shouldn’t have pulled me – he is making a rookie coaching mistake. I am the leader of this team no doubt about it.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick played well for the Dolphins despite an early first half interception ending with 177 yards passing and a pair of touchdown passes to go along with 224 team rushing yards by Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael.

“You honestly shouldn’t be talking to any of us on offense,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our defense is amazing.”

Kyle Fuller and the rest of the NFL’s top-ranked defense put their statement on the game early sacking Newton and causing forced throws that were eventually picked off.

“I love our d-line,” Fuller said. “They harassed them all day and let us tee off in the secondary.”

The first touchdown of the game was scored by Miami’s Calvin Pryor on a 33-yard pick six of a Newton pass over the middle to Orson Charles.

“We wanted it man,” Pryor said. “It’s good to be over .500. We just have to keep it moving next week.”

Pryor also forced a fumble on a sack of Newton prior to intermission.

At his postgame press conference Todd Bowles made a bold statement on the team’s future.

“Cam Newton is not going to be my starter next week at the Giants,” Bowles said. “Bryce Petty is going to be our starting quarterback for the rest of the season.”

All eyes will be on Petty and the Jets next week against their neighbors from New York.

The Miami Dolphins head back home to square off against the Baltimore Ravens.

Buffalo @ Kansas City

                                    1         2         3         4         FINAL

BUFFALO                 0         10       0         0         10

KANSAS CITY        7         10       3         16       36

KANSAS CITY – The collective gasp of the Buffalo (5-6, 2-2) faithful could be heard across the country as the news poured in that quarterback Aaron Rodgers would miss the remainder of the season with a herniated disk.  The team’s 36-10 drubbing at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) was secondary to the injury news.

“I’m devastated,” Rodgers said. “This really hurts; not the physical pain, but being out and away from my teammates.”

After the Rodgers injury, the Bills played less than spirited football and seemed to be going through the motions.
“Not a lot to say,” Rex Ryan said. “It’s next man up so EJ, it’s your time to shine now.”

EJ Manuel started well in the place of Rodgers, going 7-for-7 before a turnover that started the team’s downward spiral towards the 26-point final deficit.

“I’ll get a week of practice in and see how it goes,” Manuel said. “Everything happens for a reason.”
The Bills host the Houston Texans next week.