NFL Playoff Picture: Week 4 Edition
By Martin Bater
AFC Wild Cards:
- Buffalo Bills (2-2)
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m proud of the way this team played,” Bills’ coach Rex Ryan said after his team’s loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. “Can you play a lot smarter? Absolutely. But I’ll take a team that can fight over a team that won’t — that will sit back and take it — any day of the week. And bring on the next team.
That’s all well and good, Rex. Subtle jab at the Miami Dolphins to boot. However, Buffalo is 0-2 at home and averages 32 points allowed in their own stadium compared to just 14 on the road
If their exotic blitzes work, they are unstoppable. If it doesn’t, they are left exposed
Not having LeSean McCoy hurt their running game (just 55 total rushing yards), and Tyrod is not the kind of quarterback you want throwing the ball 42 times
They should win at Tennessee against a rookie QB like Marcus Mariota next week, but their next true test will be in their next home date against another very capable playoff QB: Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton.
- New York Jets (3-1)
Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
The Jets are 3-1, who saw that coming?
Ryan Fitzpatrick ran the ball nine times for 34 yards against the hapless Dolphins, who saw THAT coming?
To tell you the truth, the Jets don’t scare anyone yet, but to their credit they are winning in different ways every week.
Being opportunistic against Cleveland, forcing turnover after turnover against the Colts and then bouncing back from a loss to the Eagles by running for 207 yards against Miami in London led by Chris Ivory’s 166.
They are aggressive, mirroring their head coach’s mentality, and they are aware of their opponent’s limitations.
They are also aware that the New England Patriots loom on the horizon in three weeks, but they can’t overlook the Washington Redskins after their bye week.
Next: AFC Division Winners