AFC East Report: Week 6

The New England Patriots were the last AFC East team to play on Sunday and their win over the Colts in Indianapolis capped a rather successful week 6 for the division: three wins and only one loss. Heading into week 7, the Patriots and their 5-0 record sit atop the division but their next opponent is not far behind.

That being said, here's this week's edition of the AFC East Report.

2. New York Jets (4-1)

Week 5: win (34-20 against the Washington Redskins, in East Rutherford NJ)

In 2014, the New York Jets won four games. In 2015, the New York Jets won four games... on five attempts. After beating the visiting Redskins by two touchdowns on Sunday, they are 4-1, even though the game didn't start well for the home team. At the half, New York trailed 13-10 and had already turned the ball over three times: wide receivers Eric Decker (4/59 yds, 1 TD) and Brandon Marshall (7/111 yds, 1 TD) each lost a fumble, while quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (19/26, 253, 2 TDs, 1 INT) threw an interception. Once the Jets stopped shooting themselves in the foot – fter intermission – they began pulling away. The team scored 24 unanswered points behind a balanced offense and shut out the Redskins on defense, while picking Kirk Cousins (25/43, 196 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs) off twice in the final two quarters. New York finished the game with more than two times the yards Washington gained (474-225) and looked especially good on the ground: the team gained 221 yards (5.4/attempt), with Chris Ivory as the lead rusher (20/146 yds, 1 TD). The only negatives of the day were a sloppy first half and a blocked punt which was recovered for a touchdown by Washington late in the fourth quarter. Other than that, the Jets look very good heading into their matchup against the 5-0 Patriots.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

3. Buffalo Bills (3-3)

Week 6: loss (34-21 against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Orchard Park NY)

Going against the undefeated Bengals was a tough task for the Bills. Doing so with quarterback E.J. Manuel (28/42, 263, 1 TD, 1 INT) starting in place of an injured Tyrod Taylor certainly didn't make it easier. The former first round pick played a solid game, though, and led his unit to 368 yards, all while running and throwing for a score. Sammy Watkins' (4/48 yds, 1 TD) 22-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter cut the Bills' first half deficit to three points. It was a costly score, however, as Watkins injured his foot on the play and left the game. He was seen on crutches afterwards and was one of four key members to leave the game. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin – who has since been placed on injured reserve - did also not finish the game, which the Bengals won in the third quarter with two long touchdown drives. Overall, the Bills gave up scores on three of four defensive series in the second half. The defense finished the game with 355 yards given up, while neither producing a sack or a turnover and allowing Cincinnati to sustain drives (7/12 on 3rd down). The Bills had their moments but were inconsistent throughout the contest – a microcosm of their season thus far.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

4. Miami Dolphins (2-3)

Week 6: win (38-10 against the Tennessee Titans, in Nashville TN)

The debut of new head coach Dan Campbell was a successful one as the Dolphins went on the road and blew out the Titans. Miami played its best game of the season on both sides of the ball: the offense gained 434 yards, converted 5 of 9 3rd downs and scored four touchdowns - two on the ground and two through the air. The only blemishes were two Ryan Tannehill (22/29, 266 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) interceptions, both in the second quarter when it was still a one-score game. Luckily for Tannehill, the Dolphins' defense came up with four turnovers of their own. The unit intercepted Marcus Mariota (21/33, 219 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs) twice – one of which Reshad Jones returned 30 yards for a touchdown – while also recovering two fumbles by the rookie quarterback. Overall, the defense had a dominating showing: it allowed only 299 yards, sacked Mariota six times and allowed the Titans to go only 3 of 12 on 3rd and 4th down. The Dolphins looked like the team many thought they would be heading into the season. But while the first game under the new head coach was a dominating one, we won't know for sure if the team has turned the corner until next Thursday when Miami's new-ish regime faces its first big test in New England.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.