Previewing the rest of the AFC East for Week 8

The Dolphins are on a bye this week, but the rest of the division is all in action including a big showdown between division rivals.

The Miami Dolphins are enjoying their bye this week after a couple of impressive victories against quality opponents in back-to-back weeks. What was once considered a lost season, the Dolphins are now positioned for a playoff push. The much needed bye week will give Dolphins players time to get healthy and rest. It will also give them an opportunity to scope out the rest of the AFC East on Sunday with all three teams in action, including an important showdown between New England and Buffalo.

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The Patriots and Bills meeting is already the 2nd meeting between the two this season. In the first meeting, Buffalo went into Gillette Stadium and completely shutdown the New England offense. The shutdown quickly turned to a shutout as the Bills handed the Patriots their first shutout loss at Gillette Stadium in team history. Of course, that meeting took place during Week 4, when Tom Brady was still under suspension. With Brady back, and on a roll, this game should have a totally different outlook.

Through three games since returning from suspension, Brady has amassed over 1,000 yards passing and thrown for eight touchdowns. Brady seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, exacting revenge on every opposing defense that stands in his way. He will be looking for revenge against the only team to defeat the Patriots this season, but the Bills defense will be the toughest Brady has seen so far.

Buffalo won the first meeting but remain two games behind the Patriots in the standings. In order to have any chance at a division title, the Bills will need a victory this week to keep it close. A win would also give Buffalo the tie-breaker should both teams finish the regular season with the same record. A loss puts Buffalo three games back, and gives New England a virtual lock at another division title.

The Bills will likely be without their star running back LeSean McCoy as he is considered doubtful with a hamstring injury. Expected to fill his spot is former Dolphin Mike Gillislee. Dolphins fans know there is nothing special about Gillislee, but behind a strong offensive line like Buffalo’s, he could fill in nicely. More importantly for Buffalo will be the play of their defense. The Bills defense has not looked very good the past couple of weeks, but will need to step up in a big way against Brady and company.

Buffalo’s defense needs to make stops and minimize mistakes to get off the field. In turn, Buffalo’s offense will have to take care of the football and control the time of possession to the best of their ability. In last week’s loss to Miami, the Dolphins held the ball 14 minutes longer than Buffalo. The best way to beat Brady is to keep him off the field.

As a Dolphins fan, this game will have a win-loss outcome, making it difficult to choose who to root for. Granted, it’s difficult to root for either team, but this game could have an impact down on the road on the Dolphins playoff chances. On the one hand, it would be good to see Buffalo take down the Patriots, and keep the division within reach. On the other hand, already down three games, it’s a bit of a long shot to think the Dolphins can still win the division. A Wild Card berth is more realistic for Miami, and Buffalo would surely be one of the teams the Dolphins would be fighting with for one of the final two spots.

As big as the Bills-Patriots game is shaping up to be, the complete opposite can be said for the Jets this week. New York is 2-5, and although on a downward spiral, get a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback situation has been a dramatic experience from the get go this year for New York. From the contract holdout by Ryan Fitzpatrick to his struggles of leading the league in interceptions to the reemergence of Geno Smith, it appears the quarterback controversy has been solved. Even if by process of elimination.

With Smith’s season ending injury, Fitzpatrick is the clear cut starter again. He even took some time out to take a shot at some of his bosses “who didn’t have faith in him.” Fitz has always been his own biggest fan, but just maybe if he didn’t throw twice as many interceptions compared to touchdowns, they’d show a little more faith.

Regardless of the Jets relationship status, it’s hard to see them leaving Sunday with a loss. The Browns play hard every week, but at 0-7, are a virtual lock for the #1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Jets haven’t been much better but are coming off a victory over Baltimore last week. A win over the Browns could give the Jets some momentum heading into next week’s game against Miami in South Florida.

The good news for the Browns is that they are expected to have a familiar face at quarterback. Unfortunately, it’s Josh McCown, but he does give Cleveland their best chance to win. Even as underdogs this is Cleveland’s best opportunity for a win this season. Terrelle Pryor is healthy for Cleveland, and could be a major factor against a poor Jets secondary. Darrelle Revis is on a decline this year, and is starting to show his age. It’s still doubtful that the Browns win this game, but on any given Sunday.

Whether they win or lose, the Dolphins know they will see the Jets best next week. Miami has not had much success in recent meetings against New York. The Jets kept the Dolphins out of the playoffs in 2013 when they defeated Miami on the road in the regular season finale. Last year, the teams met in London where the Jets dominated the game from start to finish. The loss led to the firing of Joe Philbin.

Hopefully, the Dolphins can get over their recent woes against the Jets similar to the way they did against Buffalo last week. For now though, Miami can kick back, relax, and watch the rest of the AFC East and NFL duke it out on Sunday.

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