AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS

T Sam Adams remains the team's best interior defensive lineman despite his second half benching against the Patriots. He sometimes doesn't play within the defense that's called, which bothers the coaches, but his size (6-4,340) and quickness make him disruptive. The team has struggled to stop the run all year; without Adams anchoring the middle, the situation would be much worse. ... WR Eric Moulds may have lost a step, but he still is dangerous because of his size (6-2,210), strength and ability to run good routes. His nine catches for 125 yards against the Patriots showed he has some life left in his 32-year-old legs. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RB Willis McGahee has been a more patient runner since he returned from the knee injury that sidelined him as a rookie in 2003. He sets up his blocks well and has the instincts and vision to find running lanes. Add that to his speed and power, and McGahee is one of the league's best runners.--Allen Wilson

MIAMI DOLPHINS

RE Jason Taylor's foot injury has been limiting his ability to change direction, which has meant fewer snaps playing linebacker and dropping into coverage, which he had done effectively earlier in the season.... SS Travares Tillman, who had been known as a poor pass defender, has been solid in coverage filling in for Tebucky Jones. The team also has used Tillman to blitz a lot rather than consistently expose him on pass defense.... TE Randy McMichael, who is having one of his best blocking seasons, continues to be a reliable receiver and is a leader. Before the Saints game, McMichael gave a locker room speech about the need to play with better focus, particularly in the face of failure. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: When he first returned to the team, RB Ricky Williams lacked his normal field vision and thought about his cuts too much. After Williams started running aggressively again, he said he had been helped by reading Mark Twain's What is Man? The message Williams got from the book was to let his instincts take over.--Jason Cole

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Mike Vrabel's move to inside linebacker is smart. Vrabel, who had played outside his whole professional career, has the power, size (6-4, 261) and ability to diagnose plays needed to meet running backs closer to the line of scrimmage in the team's 3-4. Look for Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi to carry the load inside.... RG Stephen Neal needs to adjust his game. He is a former wrestler, and his power and leverage made him a devastating run blocker. But as teams have figured out moves to counter Neal's power, he has become less imposing.... Fourth-year TE Daniel Graham's blocking has improved so much that he's often described by opponents as being a third tackle. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: QB Tom Brady's success against the blitz-10 sacks and four interceptions entering last Monday's game--is the result of his quick feet. He works on staying on the balls of his feet and keeping his weight distributed and his shoulders square. Performing those fundamentals correctly allows him to shuffle around the pocket, ready to deliver the ball in an instant.--Tom Curran

NEW YORK JETS

WR Wayne Chrebet (concussion) isn't expected to return this season. He will be replaced by Jerricho Cotchery, who moves up to the No. 3 spot. Cotchery brings more speed than Chrebet. He isn't as savvy as Chrebet, but Cotchery is bigger and a better blocker. The team might be better off with Cotchery, who has some big-play ability.... With TE Chris Baker (fractured ankle) out for the season, Doug Jolley will get a chance to contribute. When the Jets traded for Jelley in the offseason, they were hoping to capitalize on his athleticism by using him as a receiver, but he has caught eight passes on the season. The running game will take a big hit without Baker because Jolley is a suspect blocker. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The perimeter running game, once the offense's bread and butter, has fallen off dramatically. Jets coaches say it's because defenses are doing a better job of sealing the edge, preventing backs from getting around the corner. There are other reasons for the decline: a shift in offensive philosophy under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, a knee injury that has slowed RB Curtis Martin and suspect blocking.--Rich Cimini

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