AFC East Update: Week 3 Scores, Stats and Standings
With Week 3 now behind us and one Bills’ win later, let’s take a look at how the rest of our division performed in this week’s AFC East Update.
Unlike last week, we didn’t have an AFC East matchup happen in Week 3, but the games meant just as much. In these situations, a team can separate themselves from the pack with a win and a loss coming from the other teams.
We are already aware of the Buffalo Bills‘ 33-18 home victory against the Arizona Cardinals, which featured a heavy running attack by Buffalo. With that, let’s take an updated look at the AFC East standings as we get ready for Week 4.
New England Patriots
3-0
Last week: 2-0Last rank: 1st
2
New York Jets
1-2
Last week: 1-1Last rank: 2nd
3
Miami Dolphins
1-2
Last week: 0-2Last rank: 3rd
4
Buffalo Bills
1-2
Last week: 0-2Last rank: 4th
The Patriots are once again manning the AFC East and this year, it’s actually to a lot of people’s surprise. Without Tom Brady, a lot of doubt surrounded New England before the season started. Now, people have more faith in the Patriots than they ever have before.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at how the standings got to where they are this week.
Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) reacts after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots and Houston Texans met on Thursday night in New England, a week after the Jets and Bills battled it out in Buffalo.
If you’re a Buffalo Bills‘ fan, you were hoping that the Patriots would fall to the Texans.
If you’re a Patriots’ fan, you were looking to go 3-0 behind everyone’s disbelief. Safe to say, the Patriots got what they wanted — like always.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
Patriots | 10 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
It was a game that was completely dominated by the Patriots — despite being without Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo. In fact, their backup’s backup Jacoby Brissett even left with an injury during the game.
Somehow, though, the Patriots found a way to come out with a shutout victory at home against a very capable team in the Houston Texans. Much like the Bills vs. the Cardinals, the game was ultimately a matter of the Patriots having too strong of a run-game.
Not getting much out of the passing attack, the Patriots finished with a total of 185 yards rushing.
Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates with quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a look at the final stats from the game for both teams:
Passing
Jacoby Brissett (NE): 11/19, 103 yards, one sack
Brock Osweiler (HOU): 24/41, 196 yards, 1 INT, 2 sacks
Rushing
LeGarrette Blount (NE): 24 carries, 105 yards, 2 TD
Jacoby Brissett (NE): 8 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
Lamar Miller (HOU): 21 carries, 80 yards
Receiving
Julian Edelman (NE): 4 receptions, 38 yards, 6 targets
Malcolm Mitchell (NE): one reception, 27 yards, 2 targets
DeAndre Hopkins (HOU): 4 receptions, 56 yards, 8 targets
Ryan Griffin (HOU): 8 receptions, 52 yards, 10 targets
Defense
Jamie Collins (NE): 14 tackles, 8 solo, 1 INT, 1 passes defended
Jabaal Sheard (NE): 3 tackles, 3 solo, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss
Benardrick McKinney (HOU): 16 tackles, 6 solo, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss
Kareem Jackson (HOU): 7 tackles, 4 solo
With the Patriots still undefeated at 3-0, let’s move on to the Miami Dolphins’ game this week.
Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) attempts a pass in the game against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins came into this game vs. the Browns at 0-2 — just like the Buffalo Bills. Did the fins avoid an 0-3 start as well?
The Miami Dolphins were matched up with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as they played their first game at home this season. Sitting at 0-2 coming into this game, Buffalo Bills‘ fans were hoping for another loss for the Dolphins.
However, that wouldn’t be the case in this overtime thriller. Here’s a look at the box score:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT1 | T | |
Dolphins | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 30 |
Browns | 0 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 24 |
This was a pretty interesting game if you got the chance to catch some of it. The Dolphins got off to a rough start, throwing an interception on their first drive, but followed that up by forcing the Browns into a three-and-out situation. In their second drive, the Dolphins’ offense was the first to score off a 26-yard touchdown throw from Ryan Tannehill to DeVante Parker.
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The second quarter was owned by the Browns, as they came back to take a 13-10 lead into halftime. It wouldn’t last long, though, before the Dolphins would score 14 unanswered points (one touchdown in the third and one touchdown early in the fourth quarter). As the game winded down, with the score 24-21 in the Dolphins’ favor, things started to get extra crispy.
With just over 3 minutes left in the game, Cleveland hits a field goal to tie the game up. With plenty of time left for both teams, the Dolphins would have a three-and-out followed by a Browns’ 4-play drive ending in a punt. The next drive for the Dolphins was crucial.
With 26 seconds left, Ryan Tannehill gets sacked and fumbles the ball. Recovered by the Browns at the Dolphins’ 27-yard line, they were in perfect position for a winning field goal as time expires. With 4 seconds left, the Browns line up for a 46-yard field. However, it goes wide left, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Dolphins started with the ball, but ended up punting. That was followed by a failed drive by the Browns, ending in a punt. With nearly 8:30 left in overtime, Jay Ajayi had an 11-yard rushing touchdown to give Miami the 30-24 victory.
Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs with the ball against the defense of Cleveland Browns cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun (20) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.The Miami Dolphins defeat the Cleveland Browns 34-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s take a look at the game’s stats for both teams:
Passing
Ryan Tannehill (MIA): 25/39, 319 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, one sack
Cody Kessler (CLE): 21/33, 244 yards, 3 sacks
Rushing
Jay Ajayi (MIA): 7 carries, 28 yards, TD
Isaiah Crowell (CLE): 15 carries, 79 yards
Duke Johnson Jr. (CLE): 10 carries, 69 yards
Terrelle Pryor (CLE): 4 carries, 21 yards, TD
Receiving
Jarvis Landry (MIA): 7 receptions, 120 yards, TD, 12 targets
DeVante Parker (MIA): 3 receptions, 51 yards, TD, 6 targets
Terrelle Pryor (CLE): 8 receptions, 144 yards, 14 targets
Gary Barnidge (CLE): 5 receptions, 66 yards, 6 targets
Defense
Reshad Jones (MIA): 10 tackles, 9 solo, 0.5 sacks, 3 tackles for losses
Ndamukong Suh (MIA): 6 tackles, 4 solo, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for a loss
Jordan Pryor (CLE): 13 tackles, 10 solo
Briean Boddy Calhoun & Jamar Taylor (CLE): INT each
Lastly, let’s move on to the New York Jets’ Week 3 matchup.
Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws an interception under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jaye Howard (96) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The Jets’ had a long week to prepare for the Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills on TNF for Week 2. Did Ryan Fitzpatrick perform the same way?
It’s a fact that Ryan Fitzpatrick completely destroyed the Buffalo Bills‘ secondary when they matched up in Week 2 for Thursday Night Football. In the end, two Jets’ wide receivers finished above 100 yards, with another finishing with 92 yards.
If it makes Bills’ fans feel any better, the Cleveland Browns’ secondary completely destroyed Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday for Week 3. Finishing with 6 interceptions, Fitzy simply couldn’t get anything going.
Here’s a look at the final box score:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
Chiefs | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Jets | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
There simply wasn’t any offense for the New York Jets against a super stingy Chiefs’ defense. Their only points were scored in the second quarter just before the two minute warning when Nick Folk hit a 28 yard field goal.
On the other hand, the Chiefs’ didn’t exactly have a very productive day on offense. Instead, their defense returned an interception and a fumble to give the defense 14 points. The Chiefs added an offensive touchdown in the final seconds of the first quarter off a 12-yard pass from Alex Smith to Travis Kelce.
Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) dives in for a touchdown as New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (20) attempts the tackle during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Without much to show, let’s take a look at the stats:
Passing
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ): 20/44, 188 yards, 6 INT
Alex Smith (KSC): 25/33, 237 yards, TD
Rushing
Matt Forte (NYJ): 15 carries, 65 yards
Spencer Ware (KSC): 20 carries, 75 yards
Receving
Bilal Powell (NYJ): 6 receptions, 41 yards, 6 targets
Quincy Enunwa (NYJ): 4 receptions, 37 yards, 11 targets
Travis Kelce (KSC): 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD, 7 targets
Defense
David Harris (NYJ): 6 tackles, 5 solo
Derrick Johnson (KSC): 10 tackles, 8 solo, tackle for a loss, INT
Marcus Peters (KSC): 2 INT / Eric Berry (KSC): INT / Daniel Sorenson (KSC): INT / D.J. White (KSC): INT
Week 4 begins on Thursday with the Miami Dolphins facing the Cincinnati Bengals.
Let’s hope for a Bengals’ win.
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