Inside The Afc East

Sporting News, The, Oct 30, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

Detroit at Indianapolis. With both teams in the thick of their division races at 5-2, this is an important interconference game. The Lions seem to have finally got their running game on track behind James Stewart. Colts QB Peyton Manning and WR Marvin Harrison continue to make it look easy against any defense.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Manning vs. the Detroit secondary. The Lions' strong outside cover game consisting of CBs Terry Fair and Bryant Westbrook will force Manning to throw over the middle to his tight ends. A Lions secondary that already has 12 interceptions will improve on that number if Manning gets careless.

ON THE SPOT

Colts DBs. Even without Germane Crowell, the Lions have one of the best receiving corps in the game in Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton. The Colts' defensive backs have registered just three interceptions and are getting flagged for a lot of penalties.

KEEP AN EYE ON

The Jets' linebacking corps, playing a cat-and-mouse game with fleet-footed Bills QB Doug Flutie. If Bryan Cox, Marvin Jones and Co. can keep Flutie in the pocket, the Jets have a good chance of winning the game and sweeping the season series.

ROOKIE REPORT

Colts LB Marcus Washington. After missing most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, the second-round draft pick has been playing in the team's nickel package as an outside pass rusher. The former Auburn defensive end has two sacks in the past three weeks.

FEARLESS FORECAST

During the past five years, no division has fielded more playoff teams than the AFC East (15). Expect the trend to continue this season, with the division sending no fewer than three teams to the playoffs: the Colts, Dolphins and Jets.

FANTASY SOURCE

The first time the Jets and Bills got together in Week 3, Curtis Martin ran off 84 yards on 29 carries. But don't expect that kind of outing again this week. Buffalo is allowing only 56 yards rushing at home and, no matter how well Martin is playing, he won't break that wall this week.

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Buffalo

3-4: 4th

Secondary continues to be one of the team's strengths

Despite the loss of two starters in the offseason, the team's pass defense remains among the best in the NFL. Second-year CB Antoine Winfield is a solid cover corner and one of the team's best tacklers. CB Ken Irvin doesn't get the same recognition as Winfield, but he has been very sturdy since becoming a full-time starter three years ago. CB Donovan Greer is an aggressive player who excels in zone coverage. Big receivers give Winfield, Irvin and Greer trouble, but they seem to win more battles than they lose.... FB Sammy Morris has emerged as the chairman of the team's running back-by-committee. His 4.3 yard-per-carry average is the best among the running backs. But while it is obvious to those outside the team that Morris deserves to be the feature back, coach Wade Phillips is reluctant to hand Morris, a rookie, extra responsibility. He thinks neither Morris nor second-year RB Shawn Bryson is prepared to be every-down players. But both are explosive runners with speed, balance and vision. They also have become key targets in the passing game, leaving Jonathan Linton and Antowain Smith as the odd backs out.... The Bills are eagerly awaiting the return of two key players. They have gotten little, production from tight end since Jay Riemersma tore an MCL September 17 against the Jets. Meanwhile, the team has had to go with rookie TE Leif Larsen on the four-man defensive line in passing situations while DE Shawn Price has been out. Larsen has some ability, but he doesn't give the team the all-around play and relentless effort that is Price's forte.

SCOUTING REPORT: The Bills have been going all out in their Pro Bowl campaign for LB Sam Cowart, but by now everyone around the league knows what a big-time player he is. Cowart is a great talent who makes plays from sideline to sideline. He leads the team in tackles and interceptions. Being the best player on one of the best defenses in the NFL wasn't enough to secure Cowart a Pro Bowl berth last year, but it's a good bet he'll be going to Hawaii after this season.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Running back isn't the only position that's unsettled. Jamie Nails and Joe Panos continue to share snaps at right guard. Nails has great size (6-6, 340) and strength. Panos is quicker and has more experience. Neither player is having a particularly good season, but Nails gets the most game time because he has played better--at least in file opinion of the coaching staff. --Allen Wilson

GRADING OUT vs. Minnesota

OFFENSE B

Flutie led a ball-control attack that gained 400-plus yards for the second straight game.

DEFENSE C

Mental mistakes in secondary helped Vikings erase 11-point deficit in fourth quarter.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

Punt coverage gave up 28-yard punt return that set up Vikings' go-ahead touchdown.

COACHING B

The game plan was working until the defense fell apart in the second half.

BILLS

PASSING   Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Johnson    185     109   58.9   1402    74t
Flutie      52      33   63.5    368    25t

PASSING   TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks

Johnson    8      3   90.4      25
Flutie     2      1   89.3       2

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Bryson        70    228    3.3    0
Johnson       28    197    7.0    0
Morris        38    162    4.3    3

RECEIVING    No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Moulds        53    695   13.1    3
McDaniel      23    375   16.3    2
P. Price      20    290   14.5    1

SCORING    XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.

Christie    14    14    14    16     56

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Mohr            47   1916   40.8      0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Watson          22    428   19.5      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Watson          17     81    4.8      0