The race for the AFC East title could have been decided in week 14 had the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins. However, the team failed to do that and instead lost its game in Miami 27-20. The defending world champions will get another shot at their ninth straight division title this Sunday but before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take one final look back at the week that was in the latest installment of the AFC East Report:
2. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Week 13: win (13-7 (OT) against the Indianapolis Colts, in Orchard Park NY)
The Bills second straight home game saw the team bounce back from the 23-3 loss against the Patriots one week earlier. Seeing Buffalo win against the lowly Colts was not a surprise – and what was most memorable about the game was hardly the plays made by either team but the conditions at New Era Stadium: Throughout the game it was snowing heavily which led to the low scoring affair.
Buffalo received the opening kickoff and was able to maneuver down the field with relative ease and a balanced mixes of runs and passes by quarterback Nathan Peterman (5/10, 57 yds, 1 TD). However, on Indianapolis' side of the field, the team stalled and failed to convert a fourth down. Taking over, the Colts came close to a lead but missed a 33-yard field goal attempt in the challenging conditions.
Relying on the ground game all day long, the two teams exchanged punts (and one more failed fourth down by the Bills) before Buffalo went to its up-tempo offense with 1:42 left in the first half. Peterman and company drove 80 yards in seven plays and took a 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin (3/38 yds, 1 TD). The scoring drive was the first sign of successful offensive movement by either team since the first quarter.
The third period did not look any different: Both teams struggled to move the football, mainly due to the weather. The biggest moments of quarter number three were Peterman suffering an injury and being replaced by third-stringer Joe Webb (2/6, 35 yds, 1 INT) as well as a fumble lost by Buffalo's Mike Tolbert (6/32 yds). Neither had an immediate impact on the game, though, which is why the score was still 7-0 entering the supposed final quarter.
However, Indianapolis embarked on a massive 19-play drive that covered 77 yards and took almost 10 minutes off the clock. The series was capped by the visitors' first touchdown of the day – and if not for an offensive pass interference call a successful extra point as well. The Colts still came close to winning in regulation after a Webb interception with a minute left in the game. Former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri missed his second attempt of the day, however, and the game went into overtime.
Extra time saw the two teams trade punts before a six-play, 65 yard drive ended the game in Buffalo's favor: LeSean McCoy (32/156 yds, 1 TD) scored the game-winning 21-yard touchdown with under two minutes left. Therefore, the Bills were able to keep their playoff hopes alive and delay New England's division championship for at least another week.
To watch highlights of the game, click here.
3. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Week 14: win (27-20 against the New England Patriots, in Miami Gardens FL)
Pats Pulpit is already in the process of analyzing this game:
Patriots vs Dolphins recap: New England loses to Miami 27-20 in worst game of the year
Patriots-Dolphins: Observations from New England’s 27-20 loss to Miami
3 winners and 9 losers from the Patriots' 27-20 loss against the Dolphins
Patriots vs. Dolphins: Fan Notes from the Game
Patriots vs Dolphins press conferences: Bill Belichick did his best GrumpyCat impression
Coping With Loss: Miami Dolphins Edition
The Patriots' third down struggles against the Dolphins already started on first and second down
Snap Count Report: Patriots at Dolphins
After falling to the Dolphins, it’s clear the Patriots can’t afford to lose Rob Gronkowski
The Patriots defense was exposed in Miami
Patriots had linebacker problems against the Miami Dolphins, so why didn’t they play David Harris?
To watch highlights of the game, click here.
4. New York Jets (5-8)
Week 14: loss (23-0 against the Denver Broncos, in Denver CO)
New York continues its up-and-down season: One week after a 38-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team struggled mightily and was blown out 23-0 by the now-4-9 Broncos. Not only did the Jets lose the game and see their playoff hopes take another big hit, they also lost starting quarterback Josh McCown (6/12, 46 yds, 1 INT) to a broken hand. The team placed him on injured reserve shortly afterwards, ending his season.
The game's first quarter already showed that it would be a long day for Todd Bowles' team. After Denver took a 3-0 lead on the contest's opening series, the Jets quickly turned the football over: A fumble by McCown on the third play of New York's first possession set up the Broncos' first touchdown of the day. The visitors responded with another quick series, this time ending with a three-and-out punt.
Denver again drove into scoring position on its next series but failed to cap it with points after a missed field goal. However, New York failed to take advantage or regain any momentum. Instead, McCown turned the football over a second time, throwing an interception on the Broncos' side of the field. And even though the defense finally was able to stop the home team on the ensuing drive, it failed to do the same one possession later.
After a Denver field goal to close out the first half, another quick punt set up another Denver touchdown to make it a 20-0 game midway through the third quarter. The period ended even worse for the Jets as a sack ended the team's starting quarterback's season. Replacement Bryce Petty (2/9, 14 yds) drove the team to the Broncos' side of the football but again the team came away with no points after an unsuccessful fourth down try.
The attempt again allowed the home team to start a drive with good field position – and again Denver scored three points as a result. Down 23-0, New York failed to get any offensive movement as the team went three-and-out four straight times to close out the game. Therefore, the team now finds itself in no man's land in regards to draft position and playoff seeding.
To watch highlights of the game, click here.