AFC East: Stock Watch
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FALLING
1. New York Jets: How do you explain a team on a three-game winning streak and fighting for a playoff spot laying the type of egg the Jets did on Sunday? You can't. Jets head coach Rex Ryan was shocked and at a loss for words after his team didn't show up in a 45-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets were flat-out beat in every phase. Fortunately, New York (8-6) still controls its own destiny. The Jets need to win their final two games against the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins to secure the final seed in the AFC. Both are winnable games. But you just never know which Jets team will show up.
2. Buffalo Bills' third-down offense: What happened to Buffalo's offense? The Bills could not stay on the field in the first three quarters in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo was 0-for-11 on third down and eventually fell behind 30-13. The offense warmed up in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. What's even more embarrassing is that Buffalo couldn't get a first-down conversion against Miami all season.
3. Wayne Hunter, Jets right tackle: Hunter allowed three sacks to Eagles defensive end Jason Babin. It was another poor performance in a string of bad games Hunter has had this season. The Jets have no depth at offensive tackle and are forced to keep the struggling Hunter in the lineup. He's pushed around way too often, which puts Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez at risk.
RISING
1. Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots tight end: The Denver Broncos were so focused on Rob Gronkowski that they forgot about New England's other tight end. Hernandez ran circles around the Broncos with nine catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. He killed single coverage and showed why he’s also one of the top tight ends in the NFL. Hernandez could be key for the Patriots in the playoffs if opponents continue to focus on "Gronk."
2. Reggie Bush, Dolphins running back: Bush is proving that he can be a feature back. Bush dominated Buffalo’s defense with 203 yards and a touchdown. Bush needs just 27 yards for his first 1,000-yard season. Many questioned the Bush signing in Miami, but Bush has proven to be one of the best free-agent signings in the AFC East.
3. C.J. Spiller, Bills running back: Spiller had his most complete game, albeit in a losing effort. The 2010 first-round pick rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Spiller also had nine receptions for 76 yards. He accounted for a majority of Buffalo's offense and is making a good impression after the season-ending leg injury to Fred Jackson. It remains to be seen whether Spiller can be a feature back, but he's showing potential.
FALLING
1. New York Jets: How do you explain a team on a three-game winning streak and fighting for a playoff spot laying the type of egg the Jets did on Sunday? You can't. Jets head coach Rex Ryan was shocked and at a loss for words after his team didn't show up in a 45-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets were flat-out beat in every phase. Fortunately, New York (8-6) still controls its own destiny. The Jets need to win their final two games against the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins to secure the final seed in the AFC. Both are winnable games. But you just never know which Jets team will show up.
2. Buffalo Bills' third-down offense: What happened to Buffalo's offense? The Bills could not stay on the field in the first three quarters in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo was 0-for-11 on third down and eventually fell behind 30-13. The offense warmed up in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. What's even more embarrassing is that Buffalo couldn't get a first-down conversion against Miami all season.
3. Wayne Hunter, Jets right tackle: Hunter allowed three sacks to Eagles defensive end Jason Babin. It was another poor performance in a string of bad games Hunter has had this season. The Jets have no depth at offensive tackle and are forced to keep the struggling Hunter in the lineup. He's pushed around way too often, which puts Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez at risk.
RISING
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Kevin Hoffman/US PresswireDolphins RB Reggie Bush runs under pressure from Bills cornerback Drayton Florence on Sunday.
Kevin Hoffman/US PresswireDolphins RB Reggie Bush runs under pressure from Bills cornerback Drayton Florence on Sunday. 2. Reggie Bush, Dolphins running back: Bush is proving that he can be a feature back. Bush dominated Buffalo’s defense with 203 yards and a touchdown. Bush needs just 27 yards for his first 1,000-yard season. Many questioned the Bush signing in Miami, but Bush has proven to be one of the best free-agent signings in the AFC East.
3. C.J. Spiller, Bills running back: Spiller had his most complete game, albeit in a losing effort. The 2010 first-round pick rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Spiller also had nine receptions for 76 yards. He accounted for a majority of Buffalo's offense and is making a good impression after the season-ending leg injury to Fred Jackson. It remains to be seen whether Spiller can be a feature back, but he's showing potential.
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FALLING
1. Miami Dolphins' offensive line: There is a reason one starting quarterback (Chad Henne) is on injured reserve and the other (Matt Moore) could miss this week's game with concussion-like symptoms. Miami's offensive line is solid at run blocking but horrible sometimes at pass protection. The Dolphins allowed nine sacks in Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami lost Moore in the game and finished with backup quarterback J.P. Losman. If Moore can't return, Losman would start against his former team, the Buffalo Bills, on Sunday.
2. New England Patriots' pass defense: The Patriots gave up 293 passing yards against Washington. There have been weeks when New England has allowed more yards, but considering the competition, this was one of the worst performances I've seen from the Patriots' secondary this season. Washington quarterback Rex Grossman looked like Joe Montana at times. Redskins receivers were running free all game. It's a combination of poor coverage and poor discipline -- a season-long issue. I'm not sure New England can fix this before the playoffs.
3. Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick: Buffalo's franchise quarterback is in a tough spot. His team is playing poorly, and Fitzpatrick has a lot of pressure because of his $59 million contract extension. The Bills have lost six in a row, and Fitzpatrick has been very streaky. He threw for 176 yards and two interceptions in a 37-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Critics are questioning whether Fitzpatrick is the long-term solution. He can silence them with a string of good games to end the season.
RISING
2. Shonn Greene, New York Jets running back: Greene has made a habit of saving his best for last. New York's bruising running back is again playing his best football late in the season and has four rushing touchdowns the last two weeks. Greene recorded a season-high 129 rushing yards and a touchdown in New York's 37-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He also led the Jets with 58 receiving yards. It's no coincidence New York (8-5) has won three in a row and has become one of the hottest teams in the AFC.
3. Todd Bowles, Miami Dolphins interim coach: Bowles has a golden opportunity. He was promoted to interim head coach after the firing of Tony Sparano this week. Bowles is a long shot to be Miami's head coach in 2012, but these final three games are a showcase for him. Unlike many interim coaches, Bowles takes over a Miami team that is playing good football lately. The Dolphins are 4-2 in their last six games.
FALLING
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Geoff Burke/US PresswireRob Gronkowski set a single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end after grabbing his 15th against Washington.
Geoff Burke/US PresswireRob Gronkowski set a single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end after grabbing his 15th against Washington.
2. New England Patriots' pass defense: The Patriots gave up 293 passing yards against Washington. There have been weeks when New England has allowed more yards, but considering the competition, this was one of the worst performances I've seen from the Patriots' secondary this season. Washington quarterback Rex Grossman looked like Joe Montana at times. Redskins receivers were running free all game. It's a combination of poor coverage and poor discipline -- a season-long issue. I'm not sure New England can fix this before the playoffs.
3. Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick: Buffalo's franchise quarterback is in a tough spot. His team is playing poorly, and Fitzpatrick has a lot of pressure because of his $59 million contract extension. The Bills have lost six in a row, and Fitzpatrick has been very streaky. He threw for 176 yards and two interceptions in a 37-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Critics are questioning whether Fitzpatrick is the long-term solution. He can silence them with a string of good games to end the season.
RISING
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2. Shonn Greene, New York Jets running back: Greene has made a habit of saving his best for last. New York's bruising running back is again playing his best football late in the season and has four rushing touchdowns the last two weeks. Greene recorded a season-high 129 rushing yards and a touchdown in New York's 37-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He also led the Jets with 58 receiving yards. It's no coincidence New York (8-5) has won three in a row and has become one of the hottest teams in the AFC.
3. Todd Bowles, Miami Dolphins interim coach: Bowles has a golden opportunity. He was promoted to interim head coach after the firing of Tony Sparano this week. Bowles is a long shot to be Miami's head coach in 2012, but these final three games are a showcase for him. Unlike many interim coaches, Bowles takes over a Miami team that is playing good football lately. The Dolphins are 4-2 in their last six games.
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FALLING
1. Buffalo Bills' defense: Buffalo has lost five consecutive games, and the biggest reason is its inconsistent defense. The Bills can't stop the run or rush the passer. That leaves very little hope on game day. Buffalo had only one sack and allowed Tennessee Titans tailback Chris Johnson to rush for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries to players such as defensive tackle Kyle Williams, linebacker Shawne Merriman and safety George Wilson have contributed to Buffalo's struggles. But the Bills need to make it a point in the offseason to add more depth and defensive playmakers.
2. New England Patriots' fourth-quarter defense: I'm not going to make a huge deal about it, but the Patriots allowed 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to the winless Indianapolis Colts. It's clear the Patriots took their foot off the pedal. But Indianapolis is 0-12 and had Dan Orlovsky at quarterback. The Colts shouldn't score 21 unanswered points against anybody. Before Sunday's game, the Colts had scored 21 points or more just once in an entire game. The Patriots allowed that many points in one period.
3. New York Jets' passing offense: There are times when the Jets' passing offense makes you scratch your head -- the quarterback misses throws or receivers will run the wrong routes and aren't on the same page. There has been a lot of that lately with the Jets, at least in the first three quarters. New York's passing game isn't waking up until the end of games, and that's saved the Jets in back-to-back weeks. Quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled against the Washington Redskins but saved his best throws for last. The Jets have little margin for error and need the passing game to be there consistently.
RISING
1. Miami Dolphins' running game: The Oakland Raiders were completely run over by Miami. The Dolphins recorded 209 rushing yards and had great performances from two tailbacks. Reggie Bush had 100 yards rushing and rookie Daniel Thomas added 73 yards on the ground. Miami's offensive line dominated in the trenches. It even led to frustration by Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who hit offensive lineman Richie Incognito in the face and was ejected.
Howard Smith/US PresswireAaron Maybin has three sacks in the past two games for the Jets, whose signing of the linebacker after he was cut by Buffalo is paying dividends.2. C.J. Spiller, Bills running back: Spiller gets an unexpected and late audition to be the main running back in Buffalo. Fred Jackson's leg injury has the 2010 first-round pick in the spotlight. Based on Spiller's first two starts, he is making progress. He had his best game as a pro against Tennessee, running for a career-high 83 yards and a touchdown. Spiller could have done more. But Buffalo went away from the running game too early, despite Spiller's averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
3. Aaron Maybin, Jets linebacker: "Mayhem" continues to get to the quarterback for the Jets. Maybin recorded his third sack in two games in Sunday’s victory over Washington. Maybin, signed by the Jets in late September after he was released by the Bills, has quietly been a solid pickup for New York. Maybin's sacks are making an impact — he has five in New York's victories and just one in New York's losses.
FALLING
1. Buffalo Bills' defense: Buffalo has lost five consecutive games, and the biggest reason is its inconsistent defense. The Bills can't stop the run or rush the passer. That leaves very little hope on game day. Buffalo had only one sack and allowed Tennessee Titans tailback Chris Johnson to rush for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries to players such as defensive tackle Kyle Williams, linebacker Shawne Merriman and safety George Wilson have contributed to Buffalo's struggles. But the Bills need to make it a point in the offseason to add more depth and defensive playmakers.
2. New England Patriots' fourth-quarter defense: I'm not going to make a huge deal about it, but the Patriots allowed 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to the winless Indianapolis Colts. It's clear the Patriots took their foot off the pedal. But Indianapolis is 0-12 and had Dan Orlovsky at quarterback. The Colts shouldn't score 21 unanswered points against anybody. Before Sunday's game, the Colts had scored 21 points or more just once in an entire game. The Patriots allowed that many points in one period.
3. New York Jets' passing offense: There are times when the Jets' passing offense makes you scratch your head -- the quarterback misses throws or receivers will run the wrong routes and aren't on the same page. There has been a lot of that lately with the Jets, at least in the first three quarters. New York's passing game isn't waking up until the end of games, and that's saved the Jets in back-to-back weeks. Quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled against the Washington Redskins but saved his best throws for last. The Jets have little margin for error and need the passing game to be there consistently.
RISING
1. Miami Dolphins' running game: The Oakland Raiders were completely run over by Miami. The Dolphins recorded 209 rushing yards and had great performances from two tailbacks. Reggie Bush had 100 yards rushing and rookie Daniel Thomas added 73 yards on the ground. Miami's offensive line dominated in the trenches. It even led to frustration by Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who hit offensive lineman Richie Incognito in the face and was ejected.
Howard Smith/US PresswireAaron Maybin has three sacks in the past two games for the Jets, whose signing of the linebacker after he was cut by Buffalo is paying dividends.3. Aaron Maybin, Jets linebacker: "Mayhem" continues to get to the quarterback for the Jets. Maybin recorded his third sack in two games in Sunday’s victory over Washington. Maybin, signed by the Jets in late September after he was released by the Bills, has quietly been a solid pickup for New York. Maybin's sacks are making an impact — he has five in New York's victories and just one in New York's losses.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills wide receiver: Johnson (eight receptions, 75 yards) had success against New York Jets Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. But his antics and dropped passes were crucial in Buffalo’s 28-24 defeat. Johnson got a 15-yard penalty for his controversial touchdown celebration, mocking Jets receiver Plaxico Burress’ accidental shooting. That helped the Jets score a touchdown before halftime in a close game. Johnson also dropped a potential score and failed to make a tough catch in the end zone on Buffalo‘s final drive. Johnson apologized to his team after the game. He made an even smarter move Monday when he apologized to Burress. Still, the NFL is expected to fine Johnson.
2. Bills’ defense: Buffalo gave up four touchdown passes to Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and allowed 6.0 yards per carry. The Bills didn’t generate any pass rush. They had zero sacks against the Jets, who often struggle with pass protection. Buffalo needs to take a hard look at this group in the offseason and find ways to improve. The Bills do not do anything particularly well defensively.
3. Darrelle Revis, Jets cornerback: It wasn’t a typical shutdown game for Revis. Johnson made some tough catches and gave Revis more trouble than any receiver I’ve seen this season. Most of the plays were not for big gains, and the Jets said afterward that the game plan was to keep everything in front of them. It’s kind of odd that a receiver catching for 75 yards on Revis is considered a bad game. But that’s how high his standards are.
RISING
1.Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback: It looks like “Tom Terrific” is back. Brady has been in elite form lately, including this past Sunday’s masterful performance in a 38-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Brady threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns. He had the second-highest Total Quarterback Rating in Week 12. With a cupcake remaining schedule, expect Brady to continue to boost his numbers on his way to the playoffs.
2. Mark Sanchez, Jets quarterback: Say what you want about Sanchez, but he comes through in the big moments. There was no bigger moment this season than New York’s 82-yard drive that kept the team’s playoff hopes alive. Sanchez was 7-for-9 for 65 yards on that drive and made two huge throws to Burress and Santonio Holmes. But Sanchez needs to be more consistent in the first three quarters.
3. Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins quarterback: Moore completes the quarterback sweep this week. I don’t think Moore is the long-term solution in Miami. But he’s at least making me consider the concept. He’s had a string of good performances, including a season-high 288 yards and a touchdown in a 20-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Moore, who is under contract next year, might at least get a chance to compete with the Dolphins next season, depending on whom the team and new coach bring in.
FALLING
1. Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills wide receiver: Johnson (eight receptions, 75 yards) had success against New York Jets Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. But his antics and dropped passes were crucial in Buffalo’s 28-24 defeat. Johnson got a 15-yard penalty for his controversial touchdown celebration, mocking Jets receiver Plaxico Burress’ accidental shooting. That helped the Jets score a touchdown before halftime in a close game. Johnson also dropped a potential score and failed to make a tough catch in the end zone on Buffalo‘s final drive. Johnson apologized to his team after the game. He made an even smarter move Monday when he apologized to Burress. Still, the NFL is expected to fine Johnson.
2. Bills’ defense: Buffalo gave up four touchdown passes to Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and allowed 6.0 yards per carry. The Bills didn’t generate any pass rush. They had zero sacks against the Jets, who often struggle with pass protection. Buffalo needs to take a hard look at this group in the offseason and find ways to improve. The Bills do not do anything particularly well defensively.
3. Darrelle Revis, Jets cornerback: It wasn’t a typical shutdown game for Revis. Johnson made some tough catches and gave Revis more trouble than any receiver I’ve seen this season. Most of the plays were not for big gains, and the Jets said afterward that the game plan was to keep everything in front of them. It’s kind of odd that a receiver catching for 75 yards on Revis is considered a bad game. But that’s how high his standards are.
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Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty ImagesTom Brady and the Patriots have scored at least 34 points per game during their current three-game winning streak.
Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty ImagesTom Brady and the Patriots have scored at least 34 points per game during their current three-game winning streak.1.Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback: It looks like “Tom Terrific” is back. Brady has been in elite form lately, including this past Sunday’s masterful performance in a 38-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Brady threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns. He had the second-highest Total Quarterback Rating in Week 12. With a cupcake remaining schedule, expect Brady to continue to boost his numbers on his way to the playoffs.
2. Mark Sanchez, Jets quarterback: Say what you want about Sanchez, but he comes through in the big moments. There was no bigger moment this season than New York’s 82-yard drive that kept the team’s playoff hopes alive. Sanchez was 7-for-9 for 65 yards on that drive and made two huge throws to Burress and Santonio Holmes. But Sanchez needs to be more consistent in the first three quarters.
3. Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins quarterback: Moore completes the quarterback sweep this week. I don’t think Moore is the long-term solution in Miami. But he’s at least making me consider the concept. He’s had a string of good performances, including a season-high 288 yards and a touchdown in a 20-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Moore, who is under contract next year, might at least get a chance to compete with the Dolphins next season, depending on whom the team and new coach bring in.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. The AFC East: I noticed some division fans didn't like my column on the AFC East as a mediocre division. Yes, there are other struggling divisions. But I expected more from the AFC East, especially after the Buffalo Bills' hot start in September. The past month has exposed the AFC East as weaker than expected. It's possible that only one team -- the New England Patriots (7-3) -- will make the playoffs out of that division. No other team has a winning record.
2. Bills: I think most reasonable football observers expected the Bills to hit a rough patch at some point. Buffalo started off fast at 3-0, and there was very little chance the surprising Bills could keep up that kind of pace. But the way Buffalo has lost the past three weeks is embarrassing. Several Bills players acknowledged as much in the locker room Sunday. Buffalo looks like the Indianapolis Colts lately. The Bills haven't bothered to show up in games, losing by a combined score of 109-26 in their past three. Buffalo has a chance to rebound this week with a huge rematch against the New York Jets.
3. Jets' offense: It's hard to point the finger at one area of New York's offense, because everything has been failing lately. New York's running backs are injured, the offensive line allowed eight sacks in two games and quarterback Mark Sanchez hasn't looked comfortable. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer also fails to get the most out of his talented skill players most weeks, and his play-calling at times is shaky. New York is in must-win mode for the rest of the year. The Jets have a lot of problems to clean up offensively, and it may be too late to make the playoffs.
RISING
1. Miami Dolphins' defense: This is the defense Dolphins fans expected all season. Miami had the NFL's sixth-ranked defense last year but struggled during its 0-7 start this year. But the past few weeks, the Dolphins' defense is wreaking havoc again and putting the team in position to win games. Miami forced two turnovers and held Buffalo to 262 total yards and 0-for-12 on third-down conversions in a 35-8 victory. The Dolphins have allowed just 20 points the past three games.
2. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots tight end: At some point, opponents will realize they have to defend Gronkowski around the end zone. "Big Gronk" caught two more touchdown passes in New England's 34-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. Gronkowski has 10 touchdowns this season and 17 touchdowns in the red zone since 2010, which leads the NFL. Gronkowski is emerging as one of the league's top tight ends. He has a great combination of size, athleticism and soft hands.
3. Matt Moore, Dolphins quarterback: Moore's stock continues to rise after he led Miami to its third win in a row. Moore is playing consistent football and not making mistakes. His Total Quarterback Rating of 98.2 was the best in the NFL for Week 11. Moore still has a lot to prove to be Miami’s long-term solution at quarterback. But at least he's making the conversation interesting.
FALLING
1. The AFC East: I noticed some division fans didn't like my column on the AFC East as a mediocre division. Yes, there are other struggling divisions. But I expected more from the AFC East, especially after the Buffalo Bills' hot start in September. The past month has exposed the AFC East as weaker than expected. It's possible that only one team -- the New England Patriots (7-3) -- will make the playoffs out of that division. No other team has a winning record.
2. Bills: I think most reasonable football observers expected the Bills to hit a rough patch at some point. Buffalo started off fast at 3-0, and there was very little chance the surprising Bills could keep up that kind of pace. But the way Buffalo has lost the past three weeks is embarrassing. Several Bills players acknowledged as much in the locker room Sunday. Buffalo looks like the Indianapolis Colts lately. The Bills haven't bothered to show up in games, losing by a combined score of 109-26 in their past three. Buffalo has a chance to rebound this week with a huge rematch against the New York Jets.
3. Jets' offense: It's hard to point the finger at one area of New York's offense, because everything has been failing lately. New York's running backs are injured, the offensive line allowed eight sacks in two games and quarterback Mark Sanchez hasn't looked comfortable. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer also fails to get the most out of his talented skill players most weeks, and his play-calling at times is shaky. New York is in must-win mode for the rest of the year. The Jets have a lot of problems to clean up offensively, and it may be too late to make the playoffs.
RISING
1. Miami Dolphins' defense: This is the defense Dolphins fans expected all season. Miami had the NFL's sixth-ranked defense last year but struggled during its 0-7 start this year. But the past few weeks, the Dolphins' defense is wreaking havoc again and putting the team in position to win games. Miami forced two turnovers and held Buffalo to 262 total yards and 0-for-12 on third-down conversions in a 35-8 victory. The Dolphins have allowed just 20 points the past three games.
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David Butler II/US PresswireRob Gronkowski added to his touchdown total with two more Monday night.
David Butler II/US PresswireRob Gronkowski added to his touchdown total with two more Monday night.3. Matt Moore, Dolphins quarterback: Moore's stock continues to rise after he led Miami to its third win in a row. Moore is playing consistent football and not making mistakes. His Total Quarterback Rating of 98.2 was the best in the NFL for Week 11. Moore still has a lot to prove to be Miami’s long-term solution at quarterback. But at least he's making the conversation interesting.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. Buffalo Bills: The Bills are now 2-4 in their past six games. Mathematically, Buffalo is still in the thick of the AFC East and postseason races. But nothing about the Bills' performance the past few weeks suggests this young team is ready to take the next step. The good news is Buffalo (5-4) owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the first-place New England Patriots (6-3). That could make things interesting if the Bills win enough games to make their Week 17 rematch meaningful. But there is plenty of football left and the Bills have to turn their season around quickly to have a chance. The Bills play their next two games on the road against the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, games that will define their season.
2. Jets' offense: It's hard to pinpoint one area. New York's offense as a whole failed to produce against the NFL's worst-rated defense in a 37-16 loss to New England. The Jets went away from the running game, which averaged 4.4 yards per carry. That's on the coaches. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was sacked five times. That's on the offensive line. And Sanchez made a pair of costly interceptions, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter. That's on the quarterback. But New York doesn't have time to wallow. The Jets have their next game Thursday night against Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills quarterback: Fitzpatrick is having a career year. But he has a reputation of being very streaky and is playing his worst football of the season. The Bills are trying to make a playoff push, and Fitzpatrick has thrown for just 337 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in his past two games. Yes, Buffalo has other issues. But Fitzpatrick now is the face of the franchise and can expect to get a majority of the blame. It comes with the territory. It's up to the Fitzpatrick to lead the Bills out of this funk with his play. Buffalo has what I think is a must-win game next week against the Miami Dolphins.
RISING
1. New England Patriots: I was shocked to see so many in our community claim last week the Patriots were done. I thought most AFC East fans knew better after watching New England dominate the division the past 10 years. It led me to write this column, which wasn't very popular but was the truth. New England continued its trend of dominating the AFC East by sweeping the Jets in convincing fashion. The Patriots have an easy schedule and look poised to cruise the rest of the season.
2. Andre Carter, Patriots defensive end: New England's defense needed a jolt and got it from Carter. The veteran registered a career-high 4.5 sacks against the Jets and stayed in the face of Sanchez the entire night. Carter’s sacks have come in bunches. He already has three multi-sack games for New England this season. Carter is fourth in the NFL with nine sacks. He needs just two more sacks to match his career high of 11.
3. Miami Dolphins: Miami won two in a row for the first time this season. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team motivated during a tough time when his job status is up in the air. I’ve been saying all season that Miami has talent. The Dolphins are finally starting to show it and can be a dangerous spoiler to watch in the second half of the season. They get a chance to put a huge dent in the Bills' playoff hopes this week at Sun Life Stadium.
FALLING
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Tim Heitman/US PresswireThe Bills need quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to help pull them out of their recent slump.
Tim Heitman/US PresswireThe Bills need quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to help pull them out of their recent slump.2. Jets' offense: It's hard to pinpoint one area. New York's offense as a whole failed to produce against the NFL's worst-rated defense in a 37-16 loss to New England. The Jets went away from the running game, which averaged 4.4 yards per carry. That's on the coaches. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was sacked five times. That's on the offensive line. And Sanchez made a pair of costly interceptions, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter. That's on the quarterback. But New York doesn't have time to wallow. The Jets have their next game Thursday night against Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills quarterback: Fitzpatrick is having a career year. But he has a reputation of being very streaky and is playing his worst football of the season. The Bills are trying to make a playoff push, and Fitzpatrick has thrown for just 337 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in his past two games. Yes, Buffalo has other issues. But Fitzpatrick now is the face of the franchise and can expect to get a majority of the blame. It comes with the territory. It's up to the Fitzpatrick to lead the Bills out of this funk with his play. Buffalo has what I think is a must-win game next week against the Miami Dolphins.
RISING
1. New England Patriots: I was shocked to see so many in our community claim last week the Patriots were done. I thought most AFC East fans knew better after watching New England dominate the division the past 10 years. It led me to write this column, which wasn't very popular but was the truth. New England continued its trend of dominating the AFC East by sweeping the Jets in convincing fashion. The Patriots have an easy schedule and look poised to cruise the rest of the season.
2. Andre Carter, Patriots defensive end: New England's defense needed a jolt and got it from Carter. The veteran registered a career-high 4.5 sacks against the Jets and stayed in the face of Sanchez the entire night. Carter’s sacks have come in bunches. He already has three multi-sack games for New England this season. Carter is fourth in the NFL with nine sacks. He needs just two more sacks to match his career high of 11.
3. Miami Dolphins: Miami won two in a row for the first time this season. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team motivated during a tough time when his job status is up in the air. I’ve been saying all season that Miami has talent. The Dolphins are finally starting to show it and can be a dangerous spoiler to watch in the second half of the season. They get a chance to put a huge dent in the Bills' playoff hopes this week at Sun Life Stadium.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter: The Dolphins continued their disturbing trend of not being able to finish games. They blew a fourth-quarter lead for the second straight week, this time against the New York Giants in a 20-17 defeat. Miami has been outscored 28-9 in the fourth quarter and overtime the past two weeks by the Giants and Denver Broncos.
2. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots head coach: This is a first for Belichick this season. Overall, he's done another good job leading the Patriots to a 5-2 start. But Belichick's defensive schemes and personnel decisions have not been up to par this year. It's starting to catch up to him as teams like Pittsburgh and Buffalo are taking advantage of New England's defense. Quarterback Tom Brady cannot throw for 400 yards every week. Belichick, who has a reputation as a defensive guru, has to find solutions on that side of the football before it's too late.
3. Devin McCourty, Patriots cornerback: You can't put everything on Belichick. The players on the field have to produce as well. After a great rookie year, McCourty is having a major sophomore slump as New England's top cornerback. Against Pittsburgh, McCourty recorded seven solo tackles and zero pass defenses. He's struggling to get in position to make plays on the ball. McCourty has zero interceptions and only three pass defenses in seven games.
RISING
1. Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle: Buffalo's first-round pick had his best game as a pro. Dareus was a handful for the Washington Redskins' offensive line and recorded four tackles and a career-high 2.5 sacks. Dareus moved to nose tackle from defensive end this week because of a foot injury to Kyle Williams. The rookie looked right at home fighting off numerous double-teams while still getting to the quarterback.
2. Fred Jackson, Bills tailback: Jackson continued his monster season with another great game, this time against the Redskins. Jackson rushed for 120 yards and added 74 yards receiving. Jackson runs through a lot of tackles and is on pace to rush for more than 1,600 yards this season. I think he's earned a new contract. Jackson deserves some mention in the Most Valuable Player race, as well.
3. Reggie Bush, Dolphins tailback: Bush had his second career 100-yard rushing performance and his first with the Dolphins. Bush's quickness gave the Giants fits for three quarters. He rushed for 103 yards on 15 carries. Bush’s longest run was for 35 yards, and he averaged 6.9 yards per carry. Miami needs more games like this from Bush to get more victories.
FALLING
1. Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter: The Dolphins continued their disturbing trend of not being able to finish games. They blew a fourth-quarter lead for the second straight week, this time against the New York Giants in a 20-17 defeat. Miami has been outscored 28-9 in the fourth quarter and overtime the past two weeks by the Giants and Denver Broncos.
2. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots head coach: This is a first for Belichick this season. Overall, he's done another good job leading the Patriots to a 5-2 start. But Belichick's defensive schemes and personnel decisions have not been up to par this year. It's starting to catch up to him as teams like Pittsburgh and Buffalo are taking advantage of New England's defense. Quarterback Tom Brady cannot throw for 400 yards every week. Belichick, who has a reputation as a defensive guru, has to find solutions on that side of the football before it's too late.
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Luc Leclerc/US PRESSWIRERookie Marcell Dareus moved to nose tackle and had 2.5 sacks on Sunday.
Luc Leclerc/US PRESSWIRERookie Marcell Dareus moved to nose tackle and had 2.5 sacks on Sunday.RISING
1. Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle: Buffalo's first-round pick had his best game as a pro. Dareus was a handful for the Washington Redskins' offensive line and recorded four tackles and a career-high 2.5 sacks. Dareus moved to nose tackle from defensive end this week because of a foot injury to Kyle Williams. The rookie looked right at home fighting off numerous double-teams while still getting to the quarterback.
2. Fred Jackson, Bills tailback: Jackson continued his monster season with another great game, this time against the Redskins. Jackson rushed for 120 yards and added 74 yards receiving. Jackson runs through a lot of tackles and is on pace to rush for more than 1,600 yards this season. I think he's earned a new contract. Jackson deserves some mention in the Most Valuable Player race, as well.
3. Reggie Bush, Dolphins tailback: Bush had his second career 100-yard rushing performance and his first with the Dolphins. Bush's quickness gave the Giants fits for three quarters. He rushed for 103 yards on 15 carries. Bush’s longest run was for 35 yards, and he averaged 6.9 yards per carry. Miami needs more games like this from Bush to get more victories.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. Miami Dolphins' poise: The Dolphins (0-6) are setting records for being inept. They are the first team to blow a 15-point lead in the final three minutes since the NFL-AFL merger, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Once Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow got hot, Miami completely unraveled on offense, defense and special teams. The Dolphins' defense allowed two late touchdown drives to Tebow, the special teams failed to recover an onside kick, and Miami quarterback Matt Moore's sack and fumble led to Denver's game-winning field goal. It was a teamwide collapse.
2. Tony Sparano, Miami head coach: The Dolphins' coach is one of the AFC East leaders in the "falling" category this season. He dropped his ninth straight game as head coach. The Dolphins also are an astounding 1-12 in Sparano's last 13 home games. It's just a matter of time before Miami makes a coaching change. It could happen next week or at the end of the season. But Miami can't continue down this path beyond the 2011 season.
3. New York Jets in the first half: This may sound like nitpicking -- New York eventually came back to beat the Chargers -- but the Jets have started slow for the past month. New York trailed at halftime in three of its past four games. The Jets led at halftime only against the winless Dolphins, 14-6, in that span. New York overcame a 21-10 deficit last week against the Chargers. The Jets are 4-3 and cannot continue to rely on second-half rallies if they want to make the playoffs.
RISING
1. Shonn Greene, Jets tailback: The AFC East blog has been critical of Greene's lack of production all season. So it's fair to give Greene credit when he has a great game. Green rushed for a season-high 112 yards on 20 carries. He ran strong between the tackles against the Chargers and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. The Jets can win a lot of games if Greene runs this way more consistently. This is the first 100-yard game for Greene in 2011.
2. Plaxico Burress, Jets receiver: Burress had the most impressive four-catch, 25-yard performance a receiver can have. Burress was unstoppable in the red zone against San Diego. He scored all three of New York's touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 27-21 win. The Jets invested $3 million into Burress for games like this. He's a big body who can make quarterback Mark Sanchez's job a lot easier when the offense is clicking.
3. Rest for Patriots and Bills: The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots should benefit from the bye week. Both teams had injuries and gave key players two weeks to heal. For the Patriots, Pro Bowl linebacker Jerod Mayo is improving and has a chance to return against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buffalo is expected to get back starting linebacker Chris Kelsay. Linebacker Shawne Merriman (Achilles) also said last week he expects to play against Washington, but nothing has been made official by the Bills.
FALLING
1. Miami Dolphins' poise: The Dolphins (0-6) are setting records for being inept. They are the first team to blow a 15-point lead in the final three minutes since the NFL-AFL merger, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Once Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow got hot, Miami completely unraveled on offense, defense and special teams. The Dolphins' defense allowed two late touchdown drives to Tebow, the special teams failed to recover an onside kick, and Miami quarterback Matt Moore's sack and fumble led to Denver's game-winning field goal. It was a teamwide collapse.
2. Tony Sparano, Miami head coach: The Dolphins' coach is one of the AFC East leaders in the "falling" category this season. He dropped his ninth straight game as head coach. The Dolphins also are an astounding 1-12 in Sparano's last 13 home games. It's just a matter of time before Miami makes a coaching change. It could happen next week or at the end of the season. But Miami can't continue down this path beyond the 2011 season.
3. New York Jets in the first half: This may sound like nitpicking -- New York eventually came back to beat the Chargers -- but the Jets have started slow for the past month. New York trailed at halftime in three of its past four games. The Jets led at halftime only against the winless Dolphins, 14-6, in that span. New York overcame a 21-10 deficit last week against the Chargers. The Jets are 4-3 and cannot continue to rely on second-half rallies if they want to make the playoffs.
RISING
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Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE After a slow start to the season, New York Jets running back Shonn Greene rushed for his first 100-yard game against the Chargers.
Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE After a slow start to the season, New York Jets running back Shonn Greene rushed for his first 100-yard game against the Chargers.2. Plaxico Burress, Jets receiver: Burress had the most impressive four-catch, 25-yard performance a receiver can have. Burress was unstoppable in the red zone against San Diego. He scored all three of New York's touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 27-21 win. The Jets invested $3 million into Burress for games like this. He's a big body who can make quarterback Mark Sanchez's job a lot easier when the offense is clicking.
3. Rest for Patriots and Bills: The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots should benefit from the bye week. Both teams had injuries and gave key players two weeks to heal. For the Patriots, Pro Bowl linebacker Jerod Mayo is improving and has a chance to return against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buffalo is expected to get back starting linebacker Chris Kelsay. Linebacker Shawne Merriman (Achilles) also said last week he expects to play against Washington, but nothing has been made official by the Bills.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins head coach: A national audience witnessed the end of an era in Miami. Even with two weeks of preparation, Sparano failed to accomplish anything against a division rival -- the New York Jets -- and fell to 0-5 on the season. Sparano entered the year on the hot seat and suffered his eighth consecutive loss. Miami owner Stephen Ross has publicly backed Sparano, but Sparano is heading toward his third consecutive losing season. Now the owner is expected to cut bait barring a sudden and unexpected turnaround.
2. Buffalo Bills' defense: It's been a season-long issue, but the Bills' defense is only recently getting bad press after the team lost two of the last three. Buffalo allowed 400 yards for the fifth consecutive game in a 27-24 loss to the New York Giants. The Bills also failed to force a turnover for the first time this season. Buffalo's defensive issues are plentiful. The Bills struggle stopping the run, allow too many big passing plays and can't generate a pass-rush. Buffalo has two weeks to work on these issues during the bye week.
3. Matt Moore, Dolphins quarterback: The Matt Moore era in Miami didn't get off to a good start. He threw for 204 yards and two interceptions in a 24-6 loss to the New York Jets. Moore, like former starter Chad Henne, struggled most in clutch situations. Miami was 2-for-12 on third down and 0-for-3 in the red zone. Moore also was sacked four times. The Dolphins can't win many games with this kind of performance from their starting quarterback.
RISING
1. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets cornerback: Revis showed on "Monday Night Football" why he is, in my opinion, the best cornerback in the NFL. Revis had a high-profile matchup with Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall and recorded a pair of interceptions. One was returned for a 100-yard touchdown and changed the momentum in New York's favor. Revis also recorded three tackles and had four passes defensed. Most teams avoid throwing at Revis. The Dolphins were one of the few to test the Pro Bowl corner and paid for it.
2. New England Patriots' defense: The Patriots are quietly fixing their much-maligned defense. New England has allowed just 37 points in two games. The defense kept the Patriots in the game this past weekend when the offense struggled for three quarters against the Dallas Cowboys. Stopping the run has been key. New England is allowing an average of 87 rushing yards per game the past two weeks. Patriots coach Bill Belichick now has a bye to make further improvements.
3. Calvin Pace, Jets linebacker: Revis wasn't the only Jets defender who had a big game. New York linebacker Calvin Pace was all over the field. He recorded seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. The Jets' defense finally looked like the top unit it was the past two years under head coach Rex Ryan. Miami was an easy opponent. The Jets' defense must continue this improvement with a tough upcoming schedule.
FALLING
1. Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins head coach: A national audience witnessed the end of an era in Miami. Even with two weeks of preparation, Sparano failed to accomplish anything against a division rival -- the New York Jets -- and fell to 0-5 on the season. Sparano entered the year on the hot seat and suffered his eighth consecutive loss. Miami owner Stephen Ross has publicly backed Sparano, but Sparano is heading toward his third consecutive losing season. Now the owner is expected to cut bait barring a sudden and unexpected turnaround.
2. Buffalo Bills' defense: It's been a season-long issue, but the Bills' defense is only recently getting bad press after the team lost two of the last three. Buffalo allowed 400 yards for the fifth consecutive game in a 27-24 loss to the New York Giants. The Bills also failed to force a turnover for the first time this season. Buffalo's defensive issues are plentiful. The Bills struggle stopping the run, allow too many big passing plays and can't generate a pass-rush. Buffalo has two weeks to work on these issues during the bye week.
3. Matt Moore, Dolphins quarterback: The Matt Moore era in Miami didn't get off to a good start. He threw for 204 yards and two interceptions in a 24-6 loss to the New York Jets. Moore, like former starter Chad Henne, struggled most in clutch situations. Miami was 2-for-12 on third down and 0-for-3 in the red zone. Moore also was sacked four times. The Dolphins can't win many games with this kind of performance from their starting quarterback.
RISING
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Tim Farrell/The Star-Ledger via US PresswireJets cornerback Darrelle Revis had two picks in a primetime win against the Dolphins.
Tim Farrell/The Star-Ledger via US PresswireJets cornerback Darrelle Revis had two picks in a primetime win against the Dolphins.2. New England Patriots' defense: The Patriots are quietly fixing their much-maligned defense. New England has allowed just 37 points in two games. The defense kept the Patriots in the game this past weekend when the offense struggled for three quarters against the Dallas Cowboys. Stopping the run has been key. New England is allowing an average of 87 rushing yards per game the past two weeks. Patriots coach Bill Belichick now has a bye to make further improvements.
3. Calvin Pace, Jets linebacker: Revis wasn't the only Jets defender who had a big game. New York linebacker Calvin Pace was all over the field. He recorded seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. The Jets' defense finally looked like the top unit it was the past two years under head coach Rex Ryan. Miami was an easy opponent. The Jets' defense must continue this improvement with a tough upcoming schedule.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. New York Jets: There are reports of unhappiness and internal strife in the Jets' locker room. Three consecutive losses can do that to a team. New York's poor product on the field is driving Jets fans crazy. The offense is ranked 28th and the defense, although still talented, isn't what it used to be. There are no easy answers for the Jets. They can't seem to figure out their identity and put it all together. If New York can't get it right in time for its "Monday Night Football" game against the winless Miami Dolphins, it may be too late.
2. Buffalo Bills' defense: Watching Buffalo's defense can be exciting and maddening at the same time. The Bills fly to the football and often make heady interceptions and force fumbles. But Buffalo's defense also gives up way too many yards. The Bills have allowed 450 yards or more in four straight games. It's amazing that they are 3-1 in those contests. Buffalo constantly walks the edge and usually comes out on top. But if the defense doesn't improve, being in close games every week may eventually catch up to the Bills.
3. Jets' third-down offense: New York is 7 for 26 (21 percent) on third downs the past two games. That is a sure way to wear out your defense and lose games. The execution just hasn't been there most of the season.
RISING
1. New England Patriots running game: Few people know this, but the Patriots' offense is sixth in the NFL in rushing. Quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots' high-powered passing attack get most of the credit for their 4-1 start. But New England also is running the ball very efficiently. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Stevan Ridley and Danny Woodhead have all contributed at different times. Balance on offense also has helped keep New England's struggling defense off the field in recent weeks.
2. Bills safety George Wilson: The sixth-year safety is having the best season of his career. Wilson probably had the best game of his career Sunday in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded 11 tackles, three passes defended and an interception. Wilson's steady leadership is one of the reasons Buffalo is tied for the best record in the AFC.
3. Bills running back Fred Jackson: What more can we say about Jackson, who has been a regular in the "Rising" category of Stock Watch? Jackson had another great game, accounting for 196 total yards and one touchdown against Philadelphia. Jackson is having a career year and setting himself up well for a contract extension. He's rushed for 480 yards and five touchdowns in five games. Jackson is averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
FALLING
1. New York Jets: There are reports of unhappiness and internal strife in the Jets' locker room. Three consecutive losses can do that to a team. New York's poor product on the field is driving Jets fans crazy. The offense is ranked 28th and the defense, although still talented, isn't what it used to be. There are no easy answers for the Jets. They can't seem to figure out their identity and put it all together. If New York can't get it right in time for its "Monday Night Football" game against the winless Miami Dolphins, it may be too late.
2. Buffalo Bills' defense: Watching Buffalo's defense can be exciting and maddening at the same time. The Bills fly to the football and often make heady interceptions and force fumbles. But Buffalo's defense also gives up way too many yards. The Bills have allowed 450 yards or more in four straight games. It's amazing that they are 3-1 in those contests. Buffalo constantly walks the edge and usually comes out on top. But if the defense doesn't improve, being in close games every week may eventually catch up to the Bills.
3. Jets' third-down offense: New York is 7 for 26 (21 percent) on third downs the past two games. That is a sure way to wear out your defense and lose games. The execution just hasn't been there most of the season.
RISING
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Elsa/Getty ImagesBenJarvus Green-Ellis has rushed for 24 touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Patriots.
Elsa/Getty ImagesBenJarvus Green-Ellis has rushed for 24 touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Patriots.2. Bills safety George Wilson: The sixth-year safety is having the best season of his career. Wilson probably had the best game of his career Sunday in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded 11 tackles, three passes defended and an interception. Wilson's steady leadership is one of the reasons Buffalo is tied for the best record in the AFC.
3. Bills running back Fred Jackson: What more can we say about Jackson, who has been a regular in the "Rising" category of Stock Watch? Jackson had another great game, accounting for 196 total yards and one touchdown against Philadelphia. Jackson is having a career year and setting himself up well for a contract extension. He's rushed for 480 yards and five touchdowns in five games. Jackson is averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
Let's see who is rising and falling in the AFC East.
Falling
1. Miami Dolphins' halftime celebrations: Last time I checked, the Miami Hurricanes play football at Sun Life Stadium. That is why it's baffling that the Dolphins will honor the rival Florida Gators' 2008 championship team during halftime of the Dolphins-Broncos game on Oct. 23. Most Dolphin fans are Hurricane fans. So expect Tim Tebow and even current Dolphins center Mike Pouncey to get booed profusely. This won't end well. Miami is not Gator country. So the Dolphins should leave the Gators halftime celebrations to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2. New York Jets offense: The Jets' first-team offense scored seven points on seven possessions last week. Quarterback Mark Sanchez connected with receiver Santonio Holmes for a 17-yard touchdown before halftime in a 17-3 victory over the New York Giants. But the Jets' other six possessions from the starting offense netted just 56 yards. The offensive line struggled with run blocking and the timing was off in the passing game. The Jets have to be more crisp offensively before their Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
3. New England Patriots' pass defense: It's always risky to make too much of a preseason performance for a veteran team like New England. But it's hard to ignore the Patriots' shaky pass defense in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford carved up New England's secondary. He was 12-for-14 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford was doing so well against New England that the Lions pulled him before halftime of the third preseason game.
Rising
1. Chad Henne, Dolphins quarterback: Is Henne turning the corner? Miami hopes last week's performance against Tampa Bay in the "dress rehearsal" game was a sign of things to come. Henne was 10-of-13 for 175 yards and a touchdown. He started hot right away with a pair of long connections to tight end Anthony Fasano and receiver Brandon Marshall. Henne capped the opening drive with a 60-yard touchdown to Marshall. This is a big season for Henne, who has to prove he's worthy of being Miami's starting quarterback.
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills quarterback: Fitzpatrick was nearly perfect in Buffalo's 35-32 win over Jacksonville. Fitzpatrick was 11-of-12 for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 158.3 passer rating. Fitzpatrick was aggressive downfield. He connected with receiver Steve Johnson for several nice plays, including a 52-yard touchdown reception.
3. David Harris, Jets linebacker: Harris looks ready for the regular season. He had seven tackles, two pass defenses and an interception against the Giants. Harris' pick was a slick call by Jets coach Rex Ryan. The Jets sent a zone-blitz and dropped Harris into the flat. The blitz confused Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who threw the ball right into the zone Harris occupied. Harris returned the pick seven yards.
Falling
1. Miami Dolphins' halftime celebrations: Last time I checked, the Miami Hurricanes play football at Sun Life Stadium. That is why it's baffling that the Dolphins will honor the rival Florida Gators' 2008 championship team during halftime of the Dolphins-Broncos game on Oct. 23. Most Dolphin fans are Hurricane fans. So expect Tim Tebow and even current Dolphins center Mike Pouncey to get booed profusely. This won't end well. Miami is not Gator country. So the Dolphins should leave the Gators halftime celebrations to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2. New York Jets offense: The Jets' first-team offense scored seven points on seven possessions last week. Quarterback Mark Sanchez connected with receiver Santonio Holmes for a 17-yard touchdown before halftime in a 17-3 victory over the New York Giants. But the Jets' other six possessions from the starting offense netted just 56 yards. The offensive line struggled with run blocking and the timing was off in the passing game. The Jets have to be more crisp offensively before their Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
3. New England Patriots' pass defense: It's always risky to make too much of a preseason performance for a veteran team like New England. But it's hard to ignore the Patriots' shaky pass defense in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford carved up New England's secondary. He was 12-for-14 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford was doing so well against New England that the Lions pulled him before halftime of the third preseason game.
Rising
1. Chad Henne, Dolphins quarterback: Is Henne turning the corner? Miami hopes last week's performance against Tampa Bay in the "dress rehearsal" game was a sign of things to come. Henne was 10-of-13 for 175 yards and a touchdown. He started hot right away with a pair of long connections to tight end Anthony Fasano and receiver Brandon Marshall. Henne capped the opening drive with a 60-yard touchdown to Marshall. This is a big season for Henne, who has to prove he's worthy of being Miami's starting quarterback.
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills quarterback: Fitzpatrick was nearly perfect in Buffalo's 35-32 win over Jacksonville. Fitzpatrick was 11-of-12 for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 158.3 passer rating. Fitzpatrick was aggressive downfield. He connected with receiver Steve Johnson for several nice plays, including a 52-yard touchdown reception.
3. David Harris, Jets linebacker: Harris looks ready for the regular season. He had seven tackles, two pass defenses and an interception against the Giants. Harris' pick was a slick call by Jets coach Rex Ryan. The Jets sent a zone-blitz and dropped Harris into the flat. The blitz confused Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who threw the ball right into the zone Harris occupied. Harris returned the pick seven yards.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Falling
Adalius Thomas, free-agent outside linebacker: Almost three weeks after the Patriots released him, Thomas remains unemployed.
It seemed certain Thomas would reunite with Rex Ryan and join the New York Jets. The last time Thomas was effective was with Baltimore in 2006, when Ryan was defensive coordinator. But the Patriots held onto Thomas long enough that the Jets signed former Dolphins star Jason Taylor. As a result, there also was speculation the Dolphins would pursue Thomas to fortify the edge in their 3-4 defense.
"With him we'll end up first in the league in defense, and without him we'll end up first in the league in defense," Ryan recently said. "If we get him, great. I'm not worried about him."
Nobody seems to be. Thomas will turn 33 in training camp. He had 20 sacks in his final two seasons with Baltimore. He had 14.5 in his three seasons in New England and just three last year. Bill Belichick benched him for a pair of games.
Rising
Brandon Tate, Patriots receiver: Tate's name hadn't been mentioned much this offseason. The third-round pick from North Carolina appeared in two games and had zero receptions as a rookie last year and plays on a team that features Randy Moss, added Torry Holt and is more concerned with how Julian Edelman will fill in while Wes Welker recovers from knee and shoulder surgery.
But Patriots quarterback Tom Brady thrust Tate's name into the conversation this week, making a point to rave about Tate's offseason in a pair of interviews.
"I like Brandon Tate a lot," Brady told Sports Illustrated. Brady later told Boston sports-radio station WEEI that Tate "has had a great offseason."
That's quite a blessing for a player otherwise known as a project. The Patriots were criticized for drafting Tate so early because he was rehabbing a knee injury that was expected to limit him for much of 2009. They activated him in Week 7, and he suffered another season-ending knee injury in Week 9.
Falling
Adalius Thomas, free-agent outside linebacker: Almost three weeks after the Patriots released him, Thomas remains unemployed.
It seemed certain Thomas would reunite with Rex Ryan and join the New York Jets. The last time Thomas was effective was with Baltimore in 2006, when Ryan was defensive coordinator. But the Patriots held onto Thomas long enough that the Jets signed former Dolphins star Jason Taylor. As a result, there also was speculation the Dolphins would pursue Thomas to fortify the edge in their 3-4 defense.
"With him we'll end up first in the league in defense, and without him we'll end up first in the league in defense," Ryan recently said. "If we get him, great. I'm not worried about him."
Nobody seems to be. Thomas will turn 33 in training camp. He had 20 sacks in his final two seasons with Baltimore. He had 14.5 in his three seasons in New England and just three last year. Bill Belichick benched him for a pair of games.
Rising
Brandon Tate, Patriots receiver: Tate's name hadn't been mentioned much this offseason. The third-round pick from North Carolina appeared in two games and had zero receptions as a rookie last year and plays on a team that features Randy Moss, added Torry Holt and is more concerned with how Julian Edelman will fill in while Wes Welker recovers from knee and shoulder surgery.
But Patriots quarterback Tom Brady thrust Tate's name into the conversation this week, making a point to rave about Tate's offseason in a pair of interviews.
"I like Brandon Tate a lot," Brady told Sports Illustrated. Brady later told Boston sports-radio station WEEI that Tate "has had a great offseason."
That's quite a blessing for a player otherwise known as a project. The Patriots were criticized for drafting Tate so early because he was rehabbing a knee injury that was expected to limit him for much of 2009. They activated him in Week 7, and he suffered another season-ending knee injury in Week 9.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Falling
Joe McKnight, Jets running back: The fourth-round draft pick out of USC had a rough start at rookie minicamp. McKnight wasn't sure if it was his nerves, the heat or the aggressive pace compared to what he went through with the Trojans, but he struggled to hold onto the ball and his stomach contents. He repeatedly dropped passes in drills, needed extra medical attention, suffered from cramps and generally looked exhausted.
Rising
Logan Mankins, Patriots guard: Mankins had to like what he learned Wednesday, when New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans signed a seven-year contract worth $56.7 million. That sets the bar for the game's elite guards and Mankins qualifies. He's an unsigned restricted free agent. He would've been an unrestricted free agent this year if not for special rules for the uncapped season. Mankins was New England's first-round pick in 2005 and has been to a pair of Pro Bowls. Evans, a fourth-round draft choice, is entering his fifth season. He's coming of his first Pro Bowl campaign and was first-team All-Pro, too.
Falling
Joe McKnight, Jets running back: The fourth-round draft pick out of USC had a rough start at rookie minicamp. McKnight wasn't sure if it was his nerves, the heat or the aggressive pace compared to what he went through with the Trojans, but he struggled to hold onto the ball and his stomach contents. He repeatedly dropped passes in drills, needed extra medical attention, suffered from cramps and generally looked exhausted.
Rising
Logan Mankins, Patriots guard: Mankins had to like what he learned Wednesday, when New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans signed a seven-year contract worth $56.7 million. That sets the bar for the game's elite guards and Mankins qualifies. He's an unsigned restricted free agent. He would've been an unrestricted free agent this year if not for special rules for the uncapped season. Mankins was New England's first-round pick in 2005 and has been to a pair of Pro Bowls. Evans, a fourth-round draft choice, is entering his fifth season. He's coming of his first Pro Bowl campaign and was first-team All-Pro, too.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Falling
Paul Soliai, Dolphins nose tackle: Next on the depth chart at nose tackle, Soliai was in position to be the starter until Jason Ferguson returned from his eight-game suspension. But the Dolphins made moves that will make it much more difficult for Soliai, a fourth-year pro, to assume the gig. The Dolphins drafted defensive lineman Jared Odrick with the 28th pick and announced afterward they would move defensive end Randy Starks to the nose. In fact, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland didn't even mention Soliai's name when breaking down what their plans were at nose tackle after drafting Odrick.
Rising
Trent Edwards, Bills quarterback: Edwards enters his fourth pro season on shaky ground. He was Buffalo's opening-day starter the past two seasons but lost his job last year to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now Edwards is in an open competition, but at least he knows the Bills haven't added an immediate threat. Edwards over the weekend learned a lot about what lies ahead when the Bills declined to draft Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy but selected Levi Brown in the seventh round. Bills GM Buddy Nix called Brown a "developmental" quarterback, and head coach Chan Gailey all but confirmed the Bills wouldn't sign a veteran free agent. That gives Edwards the greatest odds possible of winning his job back.
Falling
Paul Soliai, Dolphins nose tackle: Next on the depth chart at nose tackle, Soliai was in position to be the starter until Jason Ferguson returned from his eight-game suspension. But the Dolphins made moves that will make it much more difficult for Soliai, a fourth-year pro, to assume the gig. The Dolphins drafted defensive lineman Jared Odrick with the 28th pick and announced afterward they would move defensive end Randy Starks to the nose. In fact, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland didn't even mention Soliai's name when breaking down what their plans were at nose tackle after drafting Odrick.
Rising
Trent Edwards, Bills quarterback: Edwards enters his fourth pro season on shaky ground. He was Buffalo's opening-day starter the past two seasons but lost his job last year to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now Edwards is in an open competition, but at least he knows the Bills haven't added an immediate threat. Edwards over the weekend learned a lot about what lies ahead when the Bills declined to draft Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy but selected Levi Brown in the seventh round. Bills GM Buddy Nix called Brown a "developmental" quarterback, and head coach Chan Gailey all but confirmed the Bills wouldn't sign a veteran free agent. That gives Edwards the greatest odds possible of winning his job back.
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Falling
Ted Ginn, Dolphins receiver: It can be argued that if the Dolphins keep Ginn on the roster his stock will go up because of the Brandon Marshall acquisition. Marshall's presence prevents any other receiver from being double covered. Ginn can get behind defenses more easily. But the Marshall move also shows the Dolphins have given up on the idea Ginn, the ninth overall draft pick in 2007, can be a No. 1 receiver. He's skittish and drops too many passes. NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday the Dolphins were trying to unload Ginn.
Rising
Chad Henne, Dolphins quarterback: Henne finally got the big target every quarterback dreams about. Marshall is the type of receiver who makes a quarterback appear to be better than he is. Marshall attacks the ball, outmuscles defenders and is great on jump balls. Henne doesn't need to throw Marshall a pinpoint pass. Just get it close, and Marshall probably will snag it. Henne now has one of the NFL's best red-zone options at his disposal. Miami receivers scored six touchdowns last year. Marshall scored 10.
Falling
Ted Ginn, Dolphins receiver: It can be argued that if the Dolphins keep Ginn on the roster his stock will go up because of the Brandon Marshall acquisition. Marshall's presence prevents any other receiver from being double covered. Ginn can get behind defenses more easily. But the Marshall move also shows the Dolphins have given up on the idea Ginn, the ninth overall draft pick in 2007, can be a No. 1 receiver. He's skittish and drops too many passes. NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday the Dolphins were trying to unload Ginn.
Rising
Chad Henne, Dolphins quarterback: Henne finally got the big target every quarterback dreams about. Marshall is the type of receiver who makes a quarterback appear to be better than he is. Marshall attacks the ball, outmuscles defenders and is great on jump balls. Henne doesn't need to throw Marshall a pinpoint pass. Just get it close, and Marshall probably will snag it. Henne now has one of the NFL's best red-zone options at his disposal. Miami receivers scored six touchdowns last year. Marshall scored 10.ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
