AFC East Report: How the Patriots’ division rivals fared in Week 6

The sixth week of NFL regular season action is in the books, which means that it is now also time for a new edition of the AFC East Report and for a look back at what happened in the New England Patriots’ division over the weekend — one that saw the Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins all suffer defeats. The only team not to lose was the New York Jets. They were on a bye.

Let’s dive straight in.

1. Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Week 6: 34-31 loss to the Tennessee Titans, in Nashville TN

Coming off a statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills were in prime position to put further distance between themselves and other competitors in both the division and the conference as a whole. However, they were unable to beat the Titans on Monday Night Football in part due to a controversial decision by head coach Sean McDermott late in the game.

Buffalo started the contest in possession of the football, and immediately produced a 13-play drive that ended with a 24-yard Tyler Bass field goal. Following an interception by Jordan Poyer later in the first quarter, the Bills added three more points to go up 6-0. Their lead was short-lived, however, with the defense giving up a 76-yard rushing touchdown to reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry on the very next play from scrimmage.

Despite falling behind 7-6, Buffalo’s momentum did not stall: quarterback Josh Allen and company answered with another long drive that was capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. Tennessee, meanwhile, scored a field goal on its next possession. Still up 13-10 at that point, Allen threw an interception that was turned into a Titans touchdown just two plays later.

Nonetheless, the Bills found a way to head into the locker room with a lead: following the Tennessee score, Buffalo drove 75 yards in 10 plays to go up 20-17 on a touchdown pass from Allen to Cole Beasley just before the half.

The shootout continued in the third quarter, with Bass scoring another field goal on the opening drive.

The two teams then exchanged touchdowns — a 3-yard Derrick Henry run for the Titans and a 1-yard pass to Tommy Sweeney for the Bills — leaving the score at 31-24 in Buffalo’s favor heading into the final period. Tennessee did score another field goal to come within four, which was followed by the first punt of the half to end a short Buffalo drive.

The punt set up another Derrick Henry scoring run for the Titans, who took a 34-31 lead with three minutes to go. The game was far from over, though. Even after the Bills had a 101-yard kickoff return touchdown nullified due to a holding penalty, they drove into position to at least tie the game. Facing a 4th-and-1 at the Tennessee 3-yard line, however, McDermott elected not to go for a field goal but rather to leave his offense on the field.

Josh Allen, who had converted 13 of 14 4th-and-1s in his career up until that point, attempted to sneak up the middle but was stuffed for no gain. Game over.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.

2. New England Patriots (2-4)

Week 6: 35-29 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, in Foxborough MA

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To watch highlights of the game, click here.

3. New York Jets (1-4)

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: at New England Patriots (2-4)

Week 8: vs Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts (2-4)

Week 10: vs Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Week 11: vs Miami Dolphins (1-5)

Heading into their bye following a road trip to the United Kingdom, the Jets will get another crack at the Patriots in Week 7. The game will be just their second divisional matchup of the year, and a rematch of the Week 2 contest versus New England that was lost 25-6. Afterwards, Robert Saleh’s team will face the Bengals and Colts before back-to-back AFC East contests at MetLife Stadium.

4. Miami Dolphins (1-5)

Week 6: 23-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, in London UK

The Dolphins were in prime position to snap their four-game losing streak in Week 6, going up against the winless Jaguars at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite a statistically solid performance on both offense and defense, however, the team of head coach Brian Flores came up short once again.

Miami started the game on offense and with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back under center after missing the previous three games due to a rib injury. The former first-round draft pick had a strong opening drive: throwing on 10 of 13 plays, the Dolphins marched 75 yards to take a 7-0 lead on a pass from Tagovailoa to rookie Jaylen Waddle.

While the Jaguars answered with a field goal drive, Miami kept control of the contest heading into the second quarter. The team added three more points to its total on a 33-yard Jason Sanders field goal, which was followed by back-to-back defensive three-and-outs. Another field goal — this one from 24 yards away — put the Dolphins up by 10 in the late first half, but the team was unable to keep its lead intact heading into the half.

After a quick three-and-out deep in their own half, the Dolphins punted the ball back to Jacksonville with 1:45 left in the second quarter. It took first overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence just six plays and 1:05 to drive for a touchdown.

With 40 second still on the clock, though, Miami did have another shot at adding to its lead. However, a 58-yard Sanders field goal try sailed wide to the left. This miss in combination with the late touchdown surrendered up by the defense gave the Jaguars an opportunity to take the lead on the first drive of the second half. They did just that, marching 75 yards in only five plays to go up 17-13.

Miami got some momentum back late in the third period, though, when defensive lineman Zach Sieler recovered a Lawrence fumble. Just one play later, however, Tagovailoa threw an interception to give the ball back to Jacksonville. Luckily for Miami, the ensuing drive ended with a fourth down stop by its defense.

In turn, the Dolphins were able to drive 91 yards to retake the lead on a 2-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Waddle. After two punts and a game-tying Jaguars field goal, Miami then had 3:40 left to work with in the fourth quarter. The series stalled at the 46-yard line, however, leaving Flores with a decision to make: punt and play for overtime, or be aggressive and leave the offense on the field.

The ex-Patriots assistant opted for the latter. Unfortunately, Malcolm Brown failed to pick up that one yard that was needed for the conversion. Five plays later, with time expiring, the Jaguars kicked a game-winning 53-yard field goal.

To watch highlights of the game, click here.