(Michael MacDonald October 5, 2009)
The Jets dropped Mark Sanchez returned to reality this weekend past coughing up 3 interceptions against no touchdowns in the Jets’ 24-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Both teams entered the game 3-0 and while the game was never close, it also did not tell us a whole lot about the future of either team. Sanchez was bound to make a mistake sooner or later and this game should be and will be a learning experience for a talented but young quarterback. The Saints scoring machine was largely stymied by the Jets smothering defense scoring only one offensive touchdown. The Saints also scored touchdowns on a 99-yard interception return and a fumble recovery in the Jets end zone. The Jets are now 3-1 and sit atop the AFC East.
The Patriots faced another scoring machine when they faced the 3-0 Baltimore Ravens in Foxboro. New England established a consistent though not overpowering running game and quarterback Tom Brady hit 9 different receivers en route to a 27-21 Patriots win. The Patriots are now 3-1 tied with the New York Jets but in second place due to losing their head-to-head match up in week 2.
The Miami Dolphins sent a signal to the rest of the AFC East with a convincing 38-10 win over division rivals Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins entered the game 0-3 despite having held opponents to less than 100 yards in each of their first three games and an overall 11-minute edge in ball possession. The Bills who entered the game at 1-2 were able to rush for just 46 yards. Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was picked 3 times. The Dolphins started the other Chad — Chad Henne that is — at quarterback and though he only completed a modest 14 passes (of 22 attempts), he protected the ball. Both the Dolphins and Bills are 1-3.
Week 5 Predictions and Beyond
New York Jets 34 Miami 3 The Dolphins host the Jets next Monday night at Land Shark Stadium. It’s hard to imagine Chade Henne making much sense of the Jets blitzkrieg style of defense and the Dolphins will be forced to rely on their run. Following the game, things don’t get much better for the fish. After a week 5 bye, the Dolphins host the New Orleans Saints and then travel to New York for another game with the Jets and then to New England. It’s hard to see how Miami avoids being 1-7 at the end of that stretch though the team is ripe to ruin the weekends of several teams this year.
The Jets, meanwhile, host Buffalo in week 6 before traveling to Oakland in week 7 and then hosting Miami in week 8. While I suspect the Bills will provide a test, it’s easy to see the Jets being 7-1– certainly no worse than 6-2 — going into their week 9 bye.
New England 24 Denver 10 – The Patriots travel to Denver for a Sunday night game next weekend. Denver is always a hostile environment to the Pats and Denver is both 4-0 and the number one ranked defense in the NFL. Call it wishful thinking but I don’t think the Denver defense has been truly tested and at least three of their wins have been against weak opposition. After the Denver game, New England hosts the Tennessee Titans and then travels to Tampa Bay before a week 8 bye. The Pats host the Dolphins in week 10. If things go according to script, the Patriots will be 7-1 at the end of that stretch but could just as easily be 5-3.
Buffalo 45 Cleveland 13 – Cleveland gave a decent Cincinnati team all it could handle this past weekend and the Bills lost badly to the previously win-less Dolphins but I think the Browns will be the unfortunate victims of a motivated Bills team. Trent Edwards is due for a breakout game as is Terrell Owens. Marshawn Lynch is getting back into form. The Bills need to win because they have three rugged games following with trips to the New York Jets and to Carolina before returning home to host the Houston Texans. When they enter their week 9 bye, the Bills will likely find themselves at 3-5 though 2-6 is not out of the question.
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