Miami Dolphins move one back of Patriots in the AFC East
The Miami Dolphins dropped on game back in the AFC East after losing to the Lions and the Patriots beat the Bears.
Week 7 was a familiar one when it came to the teams involved in the AFC East. The Dolphins, Jets, and Bills, all lost by double digits, while the Patriots went on the road and escaped with a 38-31 victory in Chicago. The results of week 7 put New England in the driver’s seat in terms of the division. Everyone else will now have to climb the ladder if they want to knock off the Patriots from another AFC East crown. We’ll take a look at how each game panned out in this week’s recap, and preview each team’s next opponent in week 8.
For starters, this loss cannot be blamed on QB Brock Osweiler. In fact, it should be noted that he had another terrific showing in his second start, and making the case that he should be Miami’s starter until further notice. No, instead, this game can be pointed to the defensive side of the ball.
One of the biggest concerns for Miami’s defense heading into the season was their run defense, and it really showed on Sunday. The Lions moved the ball at will on the ground, netting 248 yards on the day. The 248 total was Detroit’s highest in 21 years.
Rookie RB Kerryon Johnson led Detroit’s backfield with 158 yards rushing on 19 carries. LeGarrette Blount added 50 yards on 10 carries, and a touchdown. With a run game like that, Matthew Stafford did not have to do much, but he did finish with a pair of touchdowns passes, 217 yards passing, and completed 18 of 22 attempts for a near perfect passer rating.
For Miami, as mentioned, Osweiler had another good game, finishing with 239 yards passing, completing 22 of 31 attempts, and two scores. The Lions bottled up Miami’s run game for the most part, although Kenyan Drake was able to bust one loose in the 3rd quarter for a 54-yard score. Take the score away, and both Drake and Frank Gore averaged just 3.13 yards per attempt on the day.
As has been the case every week so far this season, the Dolphins could not escape this game without an injury to a key player. Albert Wilson left the game in the first half with a leg injury, and did not return. Kenny Stills also had to be looked at during the game , although he appeared to be okay. Jesse Davis was also taken to the locker room with an undisclosed injury.
Despite the injuries, the biggest concern for Miami after these past two games has to be the defense. If the Dolphins are going to have any chance to win with Brock Osweiler, he’s going to need to have a defense that helps him out on the other side.
Miami has only a few days to fix whatever is necessary as they travel to Houston to take on the Texans on Thursday night. The Dolphins have an awful history against the Texans, and it will take an all out effort if they want to contain DeShaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins. If they can’t, this could be another blowout loss for Miami in a primetime spot.
New England Patriots
The Patriots won their fourth straight victory Sunday, and have put themselves on a clear path for another division title. Of course, division titles are not the goal in New England, and the Patriots will look to continue rolling as their next four opponents have a combined record of 11-15-1.
New England needed a shootout to defeat the Bears, and they almost let it slip on the final play. Mitch Trubisky threw a hail mary pass on the game’s final play that was caught by Kevin White. White needed 55 yards to score to tie the game. He got 54 as the Patriots defenders wrapped up him at the 1-yard line, and denied him the opportunity to break loose.
Tom Brady threw 3 touchdown passes in this one, and Josh Gordon had his best game as a Patriot, finishing with 100 yards receiving. The Patriots did lose RB Sony Michel early in the 2nd quarter with a knee injury that forced him to be carted off the field. The severity of his injury will need to be further evaluated this week.
After coming away with two tough victories over the Chiefs and the Bears, the Patriots will head to Buffalo for their fourth primetime game so far this season, in which they will be heavily favored.