The imbalance in 2019 in the AFC East is hard to believe. You have the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills at 3-0 and on a collision course next Sunday. Meanwhile, down in the well, you have the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, who are both 0-3 and heading toward the top of the 2020 NFL Draft at warp speed.
4. Miami Dolphins
Hard to believe a 25-point loss would be considered progress. That’s what Brian Flores has to digest in his first season. Miami fell to Dallas, 31-6, Sunday and allowed a pair of running backs to rush for more than 100 yards. It also allowed Dak Prescott 246 yards through the air and a pair of TDs to Amari Cooper. The Dolphins have one TD all season and have been outscored 133-16. They might as well call the home field the Fish Tank. Awful. And all the Dolphins have to look forward to is a Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Sunshine State.
3. New York Jets
There is good news for Adam Gase: He isn’t coaching in Miami anymore. That is where the sunshine ends. The Jets are 0-3 and have a third-string QB in Luke Falk to bank on for a few more weeks. They were 0-for-12 on third down against New England. In the three losses, New York has been outscored 70-33. If you want to factor in it had a 16-0 lead against Buffalo in the opener, it has been 70-17 since. It has not scored an offensive TD since the third quarter of the opener. Ugh…ugh..ugly. Next up is a bye, then a trip to Philly. By the way, circle Nov. 3 on your calendars because that is when Gang Green visits Miami.
2. Buffalo Bills
For a 2.5 games, the Bills were eye-openers. They were 2-0 and up on the Bengals 14-0 at halftime of Week 3. Cincinnati put a scare into Buffalo by scoring 17 straight points. However, the Bills showed backbone and got a 1-yard run by Frank Gore in the final two minutes to remain unblemished after 3 games. The defense is stellar. The offense is not as dependable. Much will be learned Sept. 29 when the Patriots come to town.
1. New England Patriots
What can disrupt the New England juggernaut? Antonio Brown’s controversial one-week stay didn’t appear to have any hangover Sunday against the Jets. Tom Brady was his usual brilliant self as he led the 6-time Super Bowl champs to 3-0. Injuries could be a cause for concern as Julian Edelman (chest) went out against the Bills and Josh Gordon (finger) left but returned. The defense is elite and that sets up quite the defensive battle at Buffalo in Week 4.
