CLEVELAND (OH) -- A week after defeating the Miami Dolphins 19-13 in an AFC Championship rematch, the New York Jets (3-0, 1-0 AFC East) kept the train rolling with a 45-10 dismantling of the Cleveland Browns.
QB Derek Carr was the latest Jets QB to be benched after a rough outing against Miami (see: Newton, Cam, 2015).
Rookie Lamar Jackson put to bed any doubts that he is the man to lead New York with an impressive line of 247 passing yards and 2 TD through the air to go along with 93 rushing yards and 3 TD on the ground.
"It was just a great feeling to start with the guys," Jackson said. "Derek's been a great mentor for me. Hopefully I can keep it going."
DE Joey Bosa picked up another 1.5 sacks on the night for a Jets defense that did not budge until late (with backups in).
"We want to crush people," Bosa said. "That's all there is to it."
The Jets next head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars.
BUFFALO BILLS 43 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS 21
MINNEAPOLIS (MN) -- After a devastating home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Buffalo Bills (2-1) took their collective frustrations out on a shell-shocked Minnesota Vikings squad with a 43-21 beatdown.
Despite the three TDs surrendered, the Bills defense was smothering throughout, yielding only 22 yards on the ground and 236 through the air while collecting a pair of takeaways.
"We gave up a few big plays, but overall it was a performance we needed," Sean McDermott said. "We are starting to click."
Sophomore Jamal Adams picked up an INT while leading the team in tackles.
"We got #12 out here man," Adams said. "Our job on D is to get him the ball back so he can work."
Aaron Rodgers was solid, completing 76% of his passes for 225 yards and 3 TDs.
But the star of the game was HB Tavon Austin.
Austin, newly acquired from the New York Jets, rushed for 137 yards with 2 TDs.
The West Virginia product gave the Bills attack a speed element the team has been missing over the past few seasons.
"It's new," Austin said. "Being primarily in the backfield. But it's fun, I'll tell you that."
The Bills will now face the Green Bay Packers at historic Lambeau Field.
OAKLAND RAIDERS 10 @ MIAMI DOLPHINS 23
MIAMI (FL) -- The Miami Dolphins (2-1, 0-1) quickly got themselves back on track with a workman-like 23-10 victory over Sam Darnold and the previously unbeaten Oakland Raiders.
Miami's defense kept the Raiders under 100 total yards until very late when the game was out of reach (Oakland ended up with only 22 yards rushing and 214 through the air while yielding four sacks).
Linebacker Shaq Thompson was all over the field, securing three sacks and six tackles on the night.
"With Reshad (Jones) going out late, someone had to step up," Thompson said. "It was me tonight and next week it'll be someone else. We are a team; Next man up."
QB Ryan Tannehill was not asked to do much through the air, but he was able to punch in a pair of short rushing TDs in the first half.
Rookie HB Kalen Ballage shouldered most of the load on the night with 31 carries for 119 yards.
After the game, the Dolphins announced they had reunited with 2017 3rd rounder D'Onta Foreman (who had previously been dealt to the Jets). This is in anticipation of the potential Dion Lewis to New York rumors that have been swirling.
Miami will now fly to Foxboro, MA, to take on the New England Patriots.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 50 @ DETROIT LIONS 21
DETROIT (MI) -- The New England Patriots (3-0) obliterated the Detriot Lions 50-21 on the road on Sunday Night Football to keep their perfect record intact.
Dak Prescott threw for a healthy 365 yards with a TD and an INT while also rushing for 58 yards and a trio of TDs.
"We are just out here to win," Prescott said. "We are in a tough division, so each game is crucial."
With Prescott playing at an MVP level, the Pats defense was able to pin their ears back and pressure Matthew Stafford throughout.
DE Carl Lawson had a pair of sacks while rookie Bradley Chubb picked up a sack of his own.
"We came into this season with one goal in mind: Lombardi," Chubb said. "Three wins off the bat is great, but we are just getting started.
The Patriots will now head home to take on the Miami Dolphins.
