So much for anyone challenging the Patriots
BUFFALO, N. Y .• There was some early- season angst about the New England Patriots, to the point that it appeared the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins or even the non- tanking New York Jets might be able to challenge them in the AFC East.
It’s time to forget about that.
The Patriots, predictably, are back to being the Patriots. And the rest of the AFC East, just as predictably, is back to being the Bills, Dolphins and Jets.
Sunday night’s 41-16 victory in Denver upped the Patriots’ record to 7-2. They have had their issues, especially on defence. But the defending Super Bowl champs have now won five straight games, and are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC’s best record as they jockey for the No. 1 seed in the conference playoffs.
It appeared there might be meaningful games in the AFC East down the stretch. The Bills were prospering under their first- year coach, Sean McDermott, with a 5-2 start. The Dolphins were 4-2 at one point. The Jets, accused before Opening Day of being in tank- the- season mode and in pursuit of a top pick in the NFL draft, won three of their first five games.
Those teams have reverted, though. The Jets are now 4- 6, the Dolphins took a 4- 4 record and a two-game losing streak into Monday night’s game at Carolina. And the Bills are in a downward spiral, with their record dropping to 5- 4 after Sunday’s 47-10 loss at home to New Orleans.
The Saints ran for 298 yards and a team- record six touchdowns. The Bills had no answers.
“This is not easy to take,” McDermott said. “( It’s) not an easy pill to swallow, especially at home. Our fans deserve more.”
The Bills still can regroup and chase a wild-card berth.
But the division race? That seems pretty much over.