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October 1, 2007

AFC East outlook

CINCINNATI -- With each passing week, it becomes more obvious that the Patriots are in a class by themselves in the AFC East.
The Bills, clearly overmatched a week ago at New England, and with their defense riddled by injuries, and with a rookie, Trent Edwards, starting at quarterback, won their first game by beating the Jets, 17-14, in Buffalo.
Edwards had to step in for J.P. Losman, who suffered a knee injury on the first play from scrimmage against the Patriots when he was hit low by Vince Wilfork, who was flagged for roughing the passer, and later was fined $12,500.
Edwards completed 22 of 28 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. Jets QB Chad Pennington completed 32 of 39 passes, but threw two fourth-quarter interceptions as N.Y. dropped to 1-3.
Miami, meanwhile, fell to 0-4, losing at home to Oakland, 35-17. Particularly galling to the Dolphins, who were playing without defensive standouts Vonnie Holiday and Zach Thomas, was that Daunte Culpepper had a huge day for the Raiders, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for two more. Culpepper was dumped by the Dolphins in favor of Trent Green, who was brought in from Kansas City by Miami's new coach, Cam Cameron. Judging by Culpepper's post-TD celebrations, clearly felt he had a score to settle. Having accounted for five scores, he'd seem to have done that.
The Dolphins looked helpless against Oakland's running game. Even though LaMont Jordan, the Raiders' top back, was injured in the second quarter, his backup, Justin Fargas, racked up 179 yards on 22 carries. In his fifth NFL season, Fargas never before had rushed for 100 yards in a game.
It was the first road win for the Raiders in almost two years, since they won at Washington, 16-13, on Nov. 20, 2005.
None of which bodes well for the winless Dolphins.

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 6:54 PM | Permalink