AFC East Report Week 4: Patriots’ three division rivals all lose

The fourth week of the NFL’s 2018 regular season is over and it saw the first perfect week for the New England Patriots: while the nine-time defending division champions recorded a win, their three rivals all lost (one, of course, to the Patriots themselves). With that in mind, let’s take a look at what happened his week’s AFC East Report:

1. Miami Dolphins (3-1)

Week 4: 38-7 loss against the New England Patriots, in Foxboro MA

Pats Pulpit is already in the process of analyzing this game:

Patriots vs Dolphins recap: New England dominates Miami with 38-7 final score

Instant Analysis from the Patriots 38-7 win over the Dolphins

Who gets the game ball for New England’s 38-7 win?

8 winners and 1 loser from New England’s 38-7 win against Miami

Sunday’s win against the Dolphins was exactly the game the Patriots needed to play

Patriots vs. Dolphins: Fan Notes from the Game

The Patriots’ physicality caught Dolphins head coach Adam Gase by surprise

Bill Belichick tells team that it “won the whole week” leading up to 38-7 victory

Chief Thoughts: Analyzing the Patriots’ week 4 victory against the Dolphins

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

t-3. Buffalo Bills (1-3)

Week 4: 22-0 loss against the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay WI

One week after blowing out an NFC North team (the Minnesota Vikings), the Buffalo Bills were themselves blown out by a team from the division: the Green Bay Packers dominated the two teams’ week four meeting from start to finish and shut out Buffalo 22-0. While the Bills’ defense had its moments, it was unable to overcome an abysmal performance by the offense – the story of each of the team’s three losses so far this year.

The visitors fell behind quickly. After back-to-back three-and-outs by Buffalo’s offense shifted the field position battle in Green Bay’s favor, Sean McDermott’s team fell behind 7-0 midway through the first quarter. One Packers possession later, it was down 14-0. Following another offensive three-and-out, the Bills’ defense made its first big play of the game: Jordan Poyer (6 TKLs, 1 INT) registered an interception to set up his team in Green Bay territory.

The Bills failed to capitalize on the game’s first turnover and had to punt the football away after only three plays. While they finally were able to drive into scoring range on their next possession, a bad interception by quarterback Josh Allen (16/33, 151 yds, 2 INTs) ended their quest to cut into the deficit. To make matters worse, Buffalo’s defense allowed Green Bay to march 40 yards in just 43 seconds to kick a field goal to close out the first half.

Coming out of the locker rooms, the Bills had to concede another field goal drive before the team’s first possession of the third quarter ended with Allen’s second pick of the day. The contest then became dominated by defense: neither team was able to move into scoring range until late in the fourth quarter. In between, both teams turned the football over one more time: Kyle Williams (1 TKL, 1 FR) recovered a fumble for the Bills, Allen lost one.

After the two-minute warning, Green Bay added another field goal to its lead. The game then ended on a play exemplary for Buffalo’s offensive performance: Allen was sacked for the seventh time and the clock hit zero.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

t-3. New York Jets (1-3)

Week 4: 31-12 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Jacksonville FL

After starting the season with a win, the New York Jets have dropped three straight games. Their latest defeat came at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who dominated the game in almost every fashion despite turning the football over three times: New York was outgained 503 to 178, registered just 10 first downs, and held the football for a little over 22 minutes. All in all, it was a lousy performance by head coach Todd Bowles’ team.

Following a quick punt by the Jets, the team had to surrender a 15-play, 80-yard drive that took almost nine minutes off the clock and ended with the first Jacksonville field goal of the day. The second came one drive later after a New York three-and-out, which was followed by a Jaguars touchdown. While the Jets defense was unable to stop its opponent, the team’s offense failed to get anything going.

Even trying to be aggressive backfired: late in the first half, New York unsuccessfully went for a 4th and 1 near midfield, which in turn set up the Jaguars in prime field position. Five plays later, the Jets were down 16-0. Only a few plays after that – early in the third quarter –, the visiting team fell down two more points: running back Isaiah Crowell (4/0 yds) was unable to get the football out of the end zone and tackled for a safety.

Down 18-0, New York finally made its first big play of the day: ex-Patriot Darryl Roberts (1 TKL, 1 INT) registered an interception which set up a Jets field goal. Only three plays after the Jets were able to make it a two-point game again, Jacksonville blew the contest open again by scoring on a 67-yard touchdown pass. The team added another field goal before New York’s next sequence of big plays: First, Trumaine Johnson recovered a fumble and returned it 20 yards to the Jaguars 5-yard line. Three plays later, Sam Darnold (17/34, 167 yds, 1 TD) hit Jordan Leggett (3/13 yds, 1 TD) for the Jets’ first touchdown.

Down 13 points and with 11 points left in the game, New York decided to go for two. And even though Darnold’s pass fell incomplete, the team was still somewhat in the game thanks to another Jacksonville turnover: a fumble forced and recovered by Buster Skrine (2 TKLs, 1 FF, 1 FR). New York failed to do anything with the takeaway, however, and had to watch the Jaguars add another touchdown to make it a 31-12 game.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.