Fish in a Barrel

The gap in the AFC East continues to widen. The Patriots did what the Jets just couldn't pull off: they took care of the Dolphins. In yesterday's 27-17 win, the Pats made key adjustments to handle another new wrinkle from the Dolphins, the so-called "Pistol" formation. With the Jets idle, the Patriots extended their division lead to two games in the AFC East, and got a crucial divisional win.

In the wake of a dismal 1-4 stretch, and with their brash head coach beginning to draw criticism, the Jets are using their week off to lick their wounds and prepare for a lenient schedule in the month of November, including games against the Jaguars, Bills, Panthers, and Buccaneers. The Pats, on the other hand, have a very tough month ahead: both of the league's last two undefeated teams lie ahead, and both are road games. The Pats are good enough to win either game, but it will take a serious effort. The divisional race will almost certainly tighten.

Notwithstanding a bludgeoning of a terrible Raiders team, (and hot dog-gate) the Jets are absolutely reeling. They are inconsistent, undisciplined, and injured right now, and it remains to be seen whether they can bounce back. If they can't get a win against the hapless Jags coming off a bye week, your boy Rex Ryan is going to start hearing it from the media.

Still, as much as we New Englanders would like to feel otherwise, much will hang on the crucial November 22 showdown with the Jets in Foxborough. There's still much to be determined before that game is played, but I will say this: I think Bill Belichick is going to be out for blood.

MILES:

The Yankees won the World Series. 

BEN:

You can't hide from football forever, Doyle. I haven't even pointed out that the Celtics have opened a 6.5-game lead over the Knicks in the first seven games of the season.

MILES:

I understand. I just didn't watch a single minute of football this week. The National Football League still feels like a homework assignment, and I took full advantage of the Jets’ much-needed bye. The next couple of weeks should be interesting for both teams. While the Jets take on Jacksonville and Carolina at home, sandwiched by a road game at Foxboro, the Patriots play at Indianapolis, host the Jets, and then travel to New Orleans. If the Jets are going to make a run at the division title, they probably need to win the next three games. Unlikely, given their recent state of play, but it should be interesting to see how Rex Ryan and the boys respond.

As for the Knicks. I’ve got nothing. The only reason they’re “only” six games behind the Celtics is because the Knicks, a truly bad team, have only played seven games. They’ll be 20 games out before the All-Star Game.