AFC East Report: Week 1

The first week of the 2015 NFL season is in the books. It was a memorable one for the AFC East, because for the first time since the divisional re-alignment in 2002 did all four teams win on opening day. The Patriots, of course, beat the visiting Steelers 28-21 in the NFL Kickoff Game. Let's take a look at what the other three teams did to stand at 1-0.

t-1. Buffalo Bills (1-0)

Week 1: win (27-14 over the Indianapolis Colts, in Orchard Park NY)

The Bills opened their 2015 season at home against a team many thought has the makeup of a Super Bowl contending team: the 2014 AFC Championship participants from Indianapolis. However, only one team looked like a contender on Sunday and it wasn't the Colts. The Bills, led by a stifling defense and an efficient offense were able to take down the visiting Colts in new head coach Rex Ryan's first competitive game in Buffalo. The home team's defense in particular looked very good. The unit gave up only 14 points and 304 net yards (240 passing, 64 rushing). Furthermore, it registered two sacks and intercepted Andrew Luck (26/49, 243 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) twice – Buffalo had a third takeaway on a muffed punt by Colts returner Phillip Dorsett. Four plays after Luck's first interception, Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor (14/19, 195 yds, 1 TD) hit wide receiver Percy Harvin (5/79, 1 TD) for a 51-yard touchdown to give the home team a 7-0 lead in the late first quarter. The team would go on to score 24 unanswered points before the Colts were able to score late in the third period. Overall, Buffalo gained 342 net yards on the day behind a balanced offensive attack. Given the performance in all three phases of the game, the Bills looked like the best of the AFC East's three teams that played on Sunday.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

t-1. Miami Dolphins (1-0)

Week 1: win (17-10 over the Washington Redskins, in Landover MD)

The Dolphins were the lone AFC East team to play on the road on opening weekend. They were also the last of the four teams to score: only 32 seconds were left in the first half of the team's game against the Redskins when Ryan Tannehill (22/34, 226 yds, 1 TD) found Rishard Matthews (4/34 yds, 1 TD) from three yards out. Prior to that touchdown, Miami was down 10-0 in what was a defensive battle for most of the afternoon. The Dolphins offense gained only 256 yards and scored a mere 10 points but it turned the ball over just once (a Tannehill strip-sack fumble that was recovered 38 yards behind the line of scrimmage) compared to two Redskins giveaways. While the two interceptions recorded by Miami (Brent Grimes and Brice McCain) did not lead to immediate points, they helped shift momentum towards the Dolphins defense. While the unit was good against the pass – allowing only 188 yards and one score through the air – it struggled a bit against the Redskins' rushing attack, which gained 166 yards on 37 carries (4.4 yds/carry) and thus was able to hold the ball for almost 38 minutes. Still, the Dolphins allowed only 10 points. With both teams having scored a touchdown and a field goal with 10:22 to play in the fourth quarter, second-year receiver Jarvis Landry (8/53 yds) returned a Washington punt 69 yards for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

t-1. New York Jets (1-0)

Week 1: win (31-10 over the Cleveland Browns, in East Rutherford NJ)

The Todd Bowles era in New York begins with a 31-10 home victory over the visiting Cleveland Browns. The game started slow with the Jets registering its first big play: safety Calvin Pryor forced a Josh McCown fumble which was ultimately ruled a touchback. Still, the Browns would go on to score a touchdown on their next drive and it looked as if the Jets would suffer another setback when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (15/24, 179 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT) was intercepted on New York's subsequent possession. However, wide receiver Brandon Marshall (6/61 yds, 1 TD) forced and recovered a fumble on the very same play. Two plays later, the Jets tied the game when running back Chris Ivory (20/91 yds, 2 TDs) scored from ten yards out. Thanks to a Ryan Fitzpatrick-to-Eric Decker (2/37 yds, 1 TD) touchdown, the Jets were up 14-10 at halftime. While the game was close when the teams headed into the locker room the first time, it was a blowout two quarters later. New York's defense forced three turnovers in the second half and shut out the Browns, while the team's offense scored two more touchdowns and a field goal. Overall, Gang Green outgained its opponents by only 12 yards (333-321) but had a +4 turnover differential and played an opportunistic game on both sides of the ball.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.