The Beat Goes On

Week 14 has reached a conclusion in the AFC East and, surprise surprise, we have yet another win for the Patriots and Bills, and yet another loss for the Dolphins and Jets. With the end of the season fast approaching, the Patriots are thinking perfection, the Bills are thinking playoffs, the Dolphins are hoping against perfection, and the Jets are looking at a top 5 draft pick in April.

The Bills continued their push for a playoff spot with a 38-17 whooping of the Dolphins, who drop to 0-13 on the season. This game was over before the end of the first quarter. The Bills turned two turnovers and two touchdown passes from Trent Edwards to Robert Royal into a 24-7 lead going into the second quarter. Edwards threw four touchdowns on the day, and Bills’ RBs Fred Jackson (115 yards) and Marshawn Lynch (107 yards) both had a field day running the ball. The Dolphins road doesn’t get any easier with games remaining against the Ravens, Patriots and Bengals.

In Foxboro, the visiting Steelers came into town with guarantees and promises of heavy pressure on the Patriots offense, and they left with a 34-13 defeat. Patriots QB Tom Brady had a great day against the NFL’s #1 ranked pass defense, throwing for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns. WR Randy Moss had another big day, snagging 7 passes for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns. Moss also got in on the passing action, taking a throwback from Brady and throwing it right back to the QB, who then threw a bomb to Jabbar Gaffney (7 catches, 122 yards on the day) for a 56-yard touchdown. Steelers RB Willie Parker did run for 124 yards, but most of those came late in the 4th quarter when the game was already decided. The Pats extended their undefeated string to 13 games, with the Jets, Dolphins and Giants remaining in their path to an undefeated regular season.

It was more of the same for the Jets today as they dropped a tough 24-18 game to the Browns. The Jets had their chances late but were unable to complete the comeback against the hot Cleveland Browns. Jets’ RB Thomas Jones rushed for 106 yards, and WR Jerricho Cotchery had 119 yards receiving. But in the end the Browns were able to recover an onside kick with 38 seconds left to seal the victory.