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Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

BUFFALO BILLS

KEY ISSUES: Untimely penalties and assignment breakdowns have killed scoring opportunities, particularly in the red zone. Pass protection continues to be a problem, and QB Drew Bledsoe's immobility doesn't help. The team hopes RB Willis McGahee, who has been handed the starting job, will run effectively enough to keep the offense out of third-and-long situations. The defense has been one of the NFL's best. But the unit has trouble forcing turnovers. The turnovers should come as long as the defense keeps playing aggressively and pressuring quarterbacks into forcing passes into coverage. PROJECTION: The playoffs are a long shot, but the championship-caliber defense should keep the team in games. If the Bills figure out how to win those games, there's no reason they can't make a run at a .500 record. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: C-. Defense: A-. Special teams: B+. Coaching: C+, Overall: C-.--Allen Wilson

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MIAMI DOLPHINS

KEY ISSUES: An already dismal season got worse when DT Tim Bowens (back) was lost for the year, leaving the line decimated. The injury to Bowens, who might decide to retire, puts the team in a tough spot because the defense is built on big tackles keeping the linebackers free to make plays. The team will be in the hunt for the No. 1 overall draft pick and needs to decide whether A.J. Feeley is the answer or if it should draft a quarterback. Complicating matters is an unsettled front office--owner Wayne Huizenga not only has to determine what to do with the coaching staff, but he also might get rid of G.M. Rick Spielman. PROJECTION: With no pressure, expect the team to win three or four games and post an intriguing upset. But it's likely it will end up wasting the second half instead of preparing for 2005--including rebuilding the offensive line. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: F. Defense: B+. Special teams: B. Coaching: D-. Overall: F.--Jason Cole

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

KEY ISSUES: Starting CBs Ty Law (ankle) and Tyrone Poole (knee) are banged up, thrusting CB Randall Gay, an undrafted rookie, into a key role. The coaches are pleased with Gays progress, but they didn't envision him going toe to toe with top receivers so soon. The defense may have to use zone-intensive schemes and hope they do the job in the red zone or put more pressure on the quarterback in hopes of giving opposing receivers less time to get open. A healthy return by RB Corey Dillon (thigh) will take some pressure off QB Tom Brady. Top WR Deion Branch (knee) is still working his way back, so Brady is missing some weapons. PROJECTION: Because the Patriots are sorting out injuries and opponents continue to exploit weaknesses, they could take a midseason dip. If New England starts falling behind in games, it could spell trouble. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: B. Defense: B+. Special teams: B-. Coaching: A-. Overall: A-.--Michael Felger

NEW YORK JETS

KEY ISSUES: The Jets must achieve more balance on offense. They can run the ball as well as any team, thanks to ageless RB Curtis Martin, but QB Chad Pennington must find a way to get WRs Santana Moss and Justin McCareins more involved. And the lack of big-play ability at tight end really hurts. Defensively, they give up too many big plays. The coverage in the secondary is suspect. For the most part, coordinator Donnie Henderson has masked the deficiencies by using various pressure packages, but there are times when the lack of speed on the back end is exposed. PROJECTION: The Jets will make the playoffs for the third time in four years, claiming a wild-card berth with an 11-5 record. By December, they should have enough victories stockpiled, providing a margin of error. Perhaps by then, their passing game will be in sync, enabling them to win shootout-type games if necessary. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: B-. Defense: B+. Special teams: C+. Coaching: A-. Overall: A-.--Rich Cimini

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Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

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