Inside The Afc East

Sporting News, The, Oct 16, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

N.Y. Jets at New England. The Jets will try to regroup after their disappointing loss to the Steelers, and the Patriots will try to keep their momentum going after two straight wins. In the teams' first meeting on Monday night in Week 2, the Jets trailed the Pats in the fourth quarter, 19-7, before rallying to win 20-19.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Colts WRs Marvin Harrison and Terrence Wilkins vs. Seahawks CBs Shawn Springs and Willie Williams, The Seattle defense allowed 447 total yards (6.0 per play) in making the Panthers' offense look terrific last week. If Springs and Williams lose this battle, the Colts' offense will look even better.

ON THE SPOT

Jets RB Curtis Martin. With QB Vinny Testaverde's status uncertain, the Jets need Martin to step forward and provide leadership In a key divisional game against his old team, Martin has 603 total yards and tour touchdowns on 125 touches in five games.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Bills QB Rob Johnson. He is among the top-rated quarterbacks in the league, but with the Buffalo running game still working to get into a rhythm, Johnson will need to limit his mistakes against a Chargers defense known to make a big play or two.

ROOKIE REPORT

Jets WR Laveranues Coles has done a good job on special teams and has wrested the No. 3 receiver job away from veteran Vincent Brisby. Coles, whose biggest asset is his speed, should get more time the second half of the year.

FEARLESS FORECAST

The Jets will finish the year no better than 8-8 and out of the playoffs, After a quick start that featured three fourth-quarter comebacks, this team is finished overachieving. The Jets, with or without Testaverde, will not hold up against a brutal schedule down the stretch.

FANTASY SOURCE

When the Jets and Patriots played in Week 2, Curtis Martin was held to 47 yards on 11 carries. But he was limping along on a sore knee, and the jets abandoned the run after falling behind early. Martin usually beats up the Patriots and, considering now well he has played since Week 2, he should have a big day.

For more fantasy football go to fantasy.sportingnews.com

Buffalo

2-3: 4th

Johnson avoiding mistakes as he learns on the job

QB Rob Johnson is a good player with the tools to be a great one. But there is a perception with some Bills fans (mostly Doug Flutie backers) that he should be further along in his development. While this is his sixth year in the league, Johnson still is virtually a rookie in terms of NFL experience. He has appeared in only 21 games, with 13 starts. Compare that to Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, who has started every game (37) in his brief career. Johnson hasn't always made good decisions. At times, he seems to lack a feel for pressure in the pocket, which results in his getting sacked. However, Johnson has been great at avoiding the big turnover. In his past nine starts, he has 16 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.... It has been two weeks since RG Joe Panos made his return to the field after a foot injury. However, Panos has yet to get his starting job back from Jamie Nails. That says a lot about how the Bills feel about Nails, a fourth-year veteran who was going to be a starter on the left side this season had the team not re-signed Ruben Brown. At 6-6, 360 pounds, Nails is much bigger and stronger than Panos, who can be bull-rushed by opposing defensive linemen.... The Bills are high on second-year WR Jeremy McDaniel. While Eric Moulds and Peerless Price stretch defensive coverages, McDaniel works underneath. He's playing so well, many observers are whispering that maybe he should be starting ahead of Price.

SCOUTING REPORT: LB John Holecek doesn't get the publicity many of his teammates get, but he is an integral part of the defense. Holecek has excellent vision, instincts and smarts, which allow him to dissect what an offense is doing. He is strong enough to get off blocks and flow to the ball. Joined by LB Sam Cowart inside, Holecek's presence is a key reason the Bills have one of the toughest defenses to run against. Defending the pass is a liability, but Holecek isn't used in that capacity. What he does best is stopping the run, and few players on the Bills do it as well.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team expanded its offensive scheme to include a wide array of formations. In addition to its base one- and two-back sets, the team has a number of spread packages in which it might use a running back or tight end as an outside receiver The use of different looks gives the Bills a chance to get some mismatches and prevent teams from focusing so much of their coverage on Moulds. --Allen Wilson

GRADING OUT vs. Miami

OFFENSE F

Poor pass protection, no running game and a number of mental mistakes.

DEFENSE B

As always, this unit did just enough to keep the Bills in the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

Chris Watson is not the answer as the team's kickoff and punt returner.

COACHING D

The Bills failed to respond in an important game against a division rival.

BILLS

PASSING        Att.   Comp.   Pct.    Yds.   Long   TD
Johnson         138      80   58.0    1081    74t    7
Van Pelt          8       4   50.0      67     36    0

PASSING        Int.   Rate   Sacks
Johnson          2    93.9      21
Van Pelt         0    78.6       0

RUSHING        Att.   Yds.    Avg.     TD
Johnson          25    194     7.8      0
Bryson           50    134     2.7      0
A. Smith         34     72     2.1      0

RECIEVING      No.    Yds.    Avg.     TD
Moulds          30     390    13.0      2
McDaniel        14     292    20.9      2
P. Price        11     173    15.7      0

SCORING        XPM     XPA     FGM    FGA    Pts.
Christie         8       8      10     12      38

PUNTING        No.    Yds.    Avg.    Blk.
Mohr            33    1323    40.1       0

KO RETURNS     No.    Yds.    Avg.     TD
Watson          14    254     18.1      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.    Yds.    Avg.     TD
Watson          14      58     4.1      0

SACKS: Newmans 4.0, Hansen 2.0, P.
Williams 2.0.

INTERCEPTIONS: Irvin 1, Cowart 1,
Winfield 1, capenter 1.