NY JETS 35
NEW ENGLAND 23
In a critical early season divisional matchup, the New York Jets (2-1, 1-1 AFC East) took it to the defending Super Bowl champions 35-23 in Foxboro. The Patriots (1-2, 1-1) never got going in a game that was never really in doubt.
"Not our best effort tonight," Chris Peterson said. "We were hoping to build off last week and just came out flat tonight."
Sam Darnold was lights out going 22-26 for 315 yards with 3 TD. A week after some unfounded trade rumors, Darnold played easily his best game as a pro.
"None of that bothered me to be honest," Darnold said. "I know who we are as an organization and where we are going - Tonight was a step ahead."
The Jets defense, who struggled in their opening divisional loss, played their best football of the season, pressuring QB Teddy Bridgewater throughout.
"We were hungry man," Trumaine Johnson said. "We've been written as underdogs but we are coming to be top dogs now."
The Pats picked up a pair of meaningless touchdowns late to make the score look respectable.
The Jets next head on their bye while New England heads to Buffalo to take on the division leading Bills.
MIAMI 34
DALLAS 28
The Miami Dolphins (2-1, 0-1 AFC East) stunned the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) 34-28 on a surreal night in East Texas.
Miami, led by their fiery defensive captain Jamal Adams, forced three turnovers while the Dolphins ground-and-pound attack punished the heavily favored Cowboys for 250 yards on the ground.
"We were dogs tonight," Adams said. "I'm out to make people have those nightmares Jon Gruden was talking about on Hard Knocks."
A week after their embarrassing loss to division rival New England, Dolphins fans also had to absorb the loss of fan favorite Jacoby Brissett for 10-weeks with a fractured elbow.
"I need to step up my elbow workout game," Brissett quipped. "I'm honestly devastated. We have a real chance to shock people and I can't be a part of it for a minute. I'll be back though."
In Brissett's absence, HB Leonard Fournette carried the load with 152 yards rushing and three TDs on the ground.
Rookie Ryan Finley went 2-3 through the air with one of his completions being fumbled by All Pro George Kittle.
"That can't happen," Kittle said. "I've honestly been a disappointment this year. My win shares are through the floor. I gotta do something different."
The Dolphins will now head home to take on Phillip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers.
BUFFALO 19
CINCINNATI 6
In a day where touchdowns were hard to come by, the Buffalo Bills (3-0, 1-0 AFC East) out kicked the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) in a 19-6 victory. Things looked like they had the last two weeks for the Bills offense as they marched down the field on their first drive and scored a touchdown on an Aaron Rodgers to Hunter Henry connection. That would prove to be the only touchdown of the game for either offense the rest of the way. The Bills offense moved the ball relatively well, but stalled in the red zone on multiple occasions.
Running back Todd Gurley stated, "We have a to do a better job of finishing."
The Bills defense did their job however, and kept the Bengals offense to just two field goals on the day.
"A W is a W and we have our D to thank for that." Rodgers said after the game.
Buffalo takes on the New England Patriots next week at home.
