Preseason Wrap-Up AFC East Version

NEW YORK JETS

The defending champions finished the preseason 4-0 to the surprise of no one.
What was of note: The play of Lamar Jackson.
The rookie QB finished the preseason with 385 yards rushing with four TDs on the ground.
New York has done nothing to disprove the fact that the team is poised to hoist their second consecutive Lombardi.

BUFFALO BILLS

Similar to the Jets, the Buffalo Bills rolled through a perfect preseason, but not without their set up hiccups along the way (particularly in the Week #3 tuneup game against the Bengals).
But this team seems like a real contender with their wide array of offensive weapons and their young and hungry defense.
Most pundits expect the AFC's trip to the Super Bowl will be played on the home turf of the defending champs or these Bills.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

A frenetic last week of the preseason saw the team make a flurry of additions to their roster while having one of the most dramatic cutdown days in recent history. Many Twitter reports from prominent NFL writers incorrectly leaked stories of released veterans only to later find out the players had made the squad. Many fans were concerned that this team would punt on the 2018 season, but with the final 53 Miami unveiled Saturday night: The team looks poised to challenge for a Wild Card seed.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Like the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, the New England Patriots looked strong throughout their 53-man roster with a perfect 4-0 preseason record. Dak Prescott and Julio Jones look to be in sync with their pair of early long TD connections to start their final preseason game. A Week #1 showdown with the Houston Texans will prove if the Patriots are ready to contend for the AFC East crown or they are still behind the rest of the division.

AFC East Notes: Preseason Week #3

EAST RUTHERFORD (NJ) -- We are on site this week with the defending Super Bowl Champion NEW YORK JETS as the team heads closer to beginning their title defense.
With an under-the-radar signing this week of recently released WR/KR Jakeem Grant, the Jets now possess a skill position unit that could arguably field a pair of Olympic 4x100 relay teams.
Tyreek Hill, Braxton Miller, Tavon Austin, Jamison Crowder, the afore-mentioned Grant, and not-to-mention their QB2 Lamar Jackson are all burners that head coach Todd Bowles plans to utilize often.
"It's all about stretching the field for us," Bowles said. "We were in a fortunate situation this offseason to legitimately reload for the title defense."
With the speed on the outside coupled with Rob Gronkowski and Tyler Eifert slicing defenses apart in the middle, look out for this offense to make a name for itself alongside their already feared (and known) defensive counterparts.

Now, for the rest of the AFC East:

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
With a deluge of talent in the safety room at Patriots place, Bill Belichick will have some potentially unhappy players once his final depth chart is released prior to Week #1.
First round pick Derwin James has been as advertised during these early weeks in August. But with returners Tre Boston, Morgan Burnett, Xavier Woods, and Marcus Williams all fighting for playing time, Belichick will be tasked with finding creative ways to get all five on the field.
"We have packages that use the strengths of all our players," Belichick said. "You can never predict injuries. We are constantly looking to bring in new talent."

MIAMI DOLPHINS
The purge of bad contracts continued last night as news was released that the team had parted ways with DE Andre Branch and S TJ McDonald. The cuts cost the Dolphins over $17 million in dead cap (Branch's contract was fully guaranteed, but the 9th year pro had been running with the third team).
"We want to retain the best players and those who can help us turn this thing around," Adam Gase said. "It's up to our bookkeepers to help keep us on track financially - I refuse to coach around contracts."
Miami's roster is getting younger by the day and the team seems willing to let their youth take their lumps in game action once the regular season rolls around.

BUFFALO BILLS
As Aaron Rodgers gets closer to signing his contract extension, the team also informed HB Todd Gurley that he most likely will not get a new contract by the end of this season. The Bills are unwilling to re-define the HB market despite the rare talent that is Gurley.
"He's amazing," Sean McDermott said. "But this is a business. We have him this year and can keep working with him through 5th year options and franchise tags. Todd's a pro and will play hard for us."
The team has also been in talks with future Hall of Famer Geno Atkins to find a way for him to end his career in the Blue and Red.

Preseason Week #2 (2018 Season)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

FOXBORO (MA) -- The JJ Nelson preseason hype train has reached critical mass as last week's hero racked up 119 yards receiving to help lead the Patriots to a 33-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night.
HB Dion Lewis also had a strong showing with 95 yards rushing and a pair of TDs.
"This is the time to get everybody in sync," Lewis said. "For us, we're big on none of us being bigger than the team, so it's good to see some of our young guys stepping up."
New England's defense also looked to be in mid-season form early allowing only a total of 34 rushing yards on the night.
The team did finish with four turnovers on the night, something coach Bill Belichick will be sure to address during the upcoming week's practice times.
Next week the Patriots will head to the Carolinas to take on the Panthers.

BUFFALO BILLS vs CLEVELAND BROWNS

CLEVELAND (OH) -- On paper this game looked like a no-contest. Sometimes paper doesn't lie as the Buffalo Bills defeated the Cleveland Browns 37-3. With a pair of first half TD passes to Brandin Cooks, fresh off his newly signed $80 million contract extension, Aaron Rodgers and company embarrassed the Browns in front of their home crowd.
"That was as close to a perfect half as you'll see," Rodgers said. "Our offense was clicking and our defense was equally as amazing."
Myles Garrett picked up a pair of sacks and CB Patrick Robinson took home an interception for a first quarter TD.
"That's what you want to see," head coach Sean McDermott said. "We want to get better each week as we build toward Week One."
The Bills will head back home to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the ever important third preseason game.

NEW YORK JETS vs WASHINGTON REDSKINS

LANDOVER (MD) -- David Johnson racked up a trio of first half rushing TDs as the New York Jets ran away from the Washington Redskins 50-14 in each team's 2nd preseason matchup.
The Redskins managed just nine rushing yards on the night against arguably the great collection of defensive talent ever assembled.
"It's tough in these preseason games man," Aaron Donald said. "In the 4th quarter they got dudes from Canada playing and we have Cliff Avril out there killing guys."
Johnson seems to be in midseason form as he looks to complete this season after an injury forced him to miss a considerable amount of time last year.
"We are just trying to create a true dynasty here," Johnson said. "Last year was amazing, but now is our chance to be legendary.
The Jets will now take on their state rivals the New York Giants in their third preseason game.

MIAMI DOLPHINS vs CAROLINA PANTHERS

CHARLOTTE (NC) -- After a slow start, the Miami first team unit were able to push the score to 14-3 just before halftime as the Dolphins eventually blew out the Carolina Panthers 42-3 Thursday night.
Kenny Vaccaro had a 1st half INT while CB Xavien Howard picked up a pair on the night for the ferocious Dolphins defense.
"We are just hungry," Vaccaro said. "I hear all the talk of us having no shot this year; With this defense, sleep on us, see what happens."
Ryan Tannehill shook off an early interception with a TD run and a scoring strike to Kenny Stills in the 2nd quarter.
"I need to clean some stuff up," Tannehill said. "But overall, we're headed in a good direction."
Recently acquired runningback Jeremy Hill scored on a 77-yard TD run early in the 3rd to put the game out of reach.
Next week Miami faces the Baltimore Ravens back home.

AFC East Notes: Preseason Week #1

ORCHARD PARK (NY) -- This week we are checking in at BUFFALO BILLS camp as we get closer to the start of the NFL's regular season. There has been a lot of talk this week about the potential for the New York Jets to dominate teams with their stacked roster and Lamar Jackson's performance in his preseason debut, but Bills players are not buying the hype.
"That's cute to get all excited over a practice game," Zach Cunningham said. "But I want to see them try that against us. You can have your weak (expletive) schedule and gimmick plays, we'll show them when they play the red and blue."
Head Coach Sean McDermott also denied reports that OLB Dont'a Hightower was unhappy with his new role in the defense.
Here are more odds and ends from the AFC East:

NEW YORK JETS
With this looking like an 'all in' season for the Jets, New York brass are also looking toward the future by accumulating a trio of first round picks already. One NY beat reporter has the team trying to snag Ed Oliver to pair alongside Aaron Donald for years to come.
"You can't be serious," Todd Bowles said. "We aren't talking about the draft yet."
Also, with the popularity of rookie Lamar Jackson already soaring, the team could also be looking to deal QB Derek Carr at some point similar to how they turned Cam Newton into draft picks used to select CB Jalen Ramsey, OLB Myles Jack and others.
With last year's Lombardi already in hand and as the odds on favorites this season, don't count on the Jets dynasty going away anytime soon.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
While much has been made of head coach Bill Belichick spending this first week of the preseason at a friend's wedding in California, the team has been doing well in his absence.
MLB Reuben Foster has been all over the field, step-for-step with Alvin Kamara in one-on-one drills.
"Dude's a beast," Kamara said. "I can't wait to see him Week #3.
Belichick was asked outside a Cheese Cake Factory in Redding, CA if he'd been getting updates from his coaching staff while away.
"No comment," Belichick said. "I'm just here for the wedding."

MIAMI DOLPHINS
Miami beat reporters have been discussing how the Albert Wilson experiment at runningback is starting to look less and less like a gadget set.
Wilson has been taking a majority of the first team reps with Tannehill and company.
"Anything I can do for the team," Wilson said. "I'm ready to roll.
We'll stay tuned during next week's preseason game against Carolina to see if Wilson sees more action at HB1.

Preseason Week #1 (2018 Season)

CAROLINA PANTHERS vs BUFFALO BILLS

ORCHARD PARK (NY) -- On the final play of the first quarter, before putting on his baseball cap for the night, Aaron Rodgers scrambled right and ducked a Luke Kuechly sack attempt before taking off for a 12-yard TD run.
"I knew it was the first team's last shot to get on the board," Rodgers said. "Just wanted to end us on a positive note."
The Rodgers score paced the way for the Bills as they picked up a 31-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
The Bills first team defense harassed Cam Newton on his only two series allowing only one first down to the Carolina starters.
Buffalo next heads to Cleveland to take on the Browns.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs MIAMI DOLPHINS

MIAMI (FL) -- The Miami Dolphins outclassed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-11 Thursday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill started strong on his opening drive with his new club going 6-for-7 before his eighth pass of the night was intercepted in the Tampa Bay endzone.
"Can't do that," Tannehill said. "For us to win we need to take care of the football and rely on our defense and running game to get the job done."
In typical Miami fashion, the rest of the game was hard-nosed, between the tackles, and a bit mundane for the fans in attendance.
"The way we like it," Gase said. "I'll take three points every drive if we can own the clock like we did tonight."
The Dolphins will now travel to North Carolina to take on Cam Newton and the Panthers.

ATLANTA FALCONS vs NEW YORK JETS

EAST RUTHERFORD (NJ) -- Let the Lamar Jackson hype train begin. As the New York Jets defeated the Atlanta Falcons 33-10 Thursday night, all eyes were on the rookie signal caller as he racked up 146 rushing yards and a TD against the Falcons second team unit.
"It was great to be out there," Jackson said. "I just want to get better each day and help our team."
Last year's champions had very few holes to fill. Now, with the Louisville rookie on their side, the team may have one too many weapons next to their incumbent Derek Carr.
"We have a creative coaching staff," Carr said. "They can find ways to get us both reps."
New York next heads to Landover, Maryland to take on the Washington Redskins.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

FOXBORO (MA) -- WR/KR JJ Nelson endeared himself to New England faithful with his pair of kickoff returns to lead the Patriots over the Washington Redskins 24-18 in the preseason openers for both teams.
The Patriot starters were unable to put up any points during their first quarter of work with a vanilla gameplan that you can understand during the preseason.
"We are absolutely not happy with this first performance," Belichick said. "I could do without these preseason games, but we'll use the practice time and try to improve.
Don't write too much into an early August practice game with this talented Patriots squad; We're confident they'll be ready to go offensively once September rolls around.
Dak Prescott and company will stay home next week to take on Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles.