Patriots put Bills in their place, for now. Plus: AFC East Predictions

With Matt Cassel on the cover of the GameDay program his steady progression as a starting quarterback continued Sunday afternoon against the Bills. In the last four weeks I think we’ve seen Matt Cassel’s confidence and performance steadily rise. Yesterday Cassel was 23-34 for 234 yards inlcuding a scrambling 13-yard touchdown. Cassel wasn’t the only young player taking advantage of a Buffalo defense that seemed determined to prevent deep balls but oblivous to the fact they were being nickle and dimed out of the game. Undrafted rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis or the “Law Firm” as his teammates now call him was outstanding rushing 26 times for 105 yards and one touchdown.

If this week in the NFL had a theme it would be that teams with a winning pedigree the Patriots, Colts, Giants of the world know how to close football games. The Patriots and Colts needed to win this weekend against Pittsburgh and Buffalo, two teams the media had annointed as the teams to beat in the AFC. And that’s exactly what they did.

The Patriots defense made Trent Edwards, once spectacular against Jacksonville and San Diego, look more like J.P. Losman. Edwards after the game admitted, “it is confusing to know what their coverages are.” Not exactly inspiring words, especially considering how much slack the Patriots secondary has received this season. Cutler and Edwards the next comings of Tom Brady, if you believe some Broncos and Bills fans were largely shutout until garbage time by the Patriots. Their fates were intertwined by turnovers which have turned the Broncos and Bill from run away division leaders to barely above .500. Edwards two interceptions essentially kept any possible pressure off Matt Cassel. That point was exemplified in the fourth quarter as the Patriots bled the clock and ensured another win. Making the Patriots 16-1 under Bill Belichick after a loss.

Early in the fourth quarter the Bills trailed by just ten points and had the Patriots backed up to their own 8. A three and out followed by a Bills first down would at the very least have made this key divisional battle a one score game. But the Bills defense just couldn’t get off the field. What followed would be a Patriots record 19-play 92-yard touchdown drive taking up a ridiculous 9:08. And that’s your ball game. No, 2007 spectacular offense display just a win the old Patriots style, methodical precise and costly mistake free.

Now just three days until the Patriots and Jets duke it out for first place on national TV. They say a football season is a marathon but this week it has to feel like a sprint.

AFC East Standings

Patriots    6-3  In Division 2-1

Jets          6-3  In Division 2-1

Dolphins 5-4 In Division 2-1

Bills         5-4 In Division 0-3

I think with the favorable schedule for these teams outside of the division, two teams from the AFC East will qualify for the Playoffs.

My vote: East Champ: New England, Wild Card: Miami Dolphins

Jets and Bills have to play New England and Denver, plus the Jets face the undefeated Titans.

Dolphins schedule sets up very, very nicely.

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