AFC East

Sporting News, The, Dec 9, 2005

BUFFALO BILLS

WL8 Angelo Crowell has opened eyes while filling in for Takeo Spikes (Achilles'). Crowell is a terrific athlete who hustles. He is better in space, where he can use good lateral quickness. He sometimes will overrun plays but has become more disciplined. He has decent range in pass coverage.... RG Chris Villarial might be the team's most technically sound blocker. He delivers a powerful initial blow and is good at using his hands and upper-body strength. He takes good angles, plays with leverage and works hard to finish every block. OVERACHIEVING: Jason Peters, a converted tight end, has played surprisingly well at right tackle. He still has much to learn about technique and adjusting to line twists and stunts, but he has tremendous upside because of his athletic ability. UNDERACHIEVING: LG Mike Williams lost his tackle spot to Peters this season and has been dogged by inconsistency. He can be a force as a run blocker because of his size (6-6, 360) and power. He's a liability in pass protection, lacking the mobility he needs to contend with speed rushers.--Allen Wilson

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Rookie Channing Crowder will get at least two games to show his ability at middle linebacker in place of Zach Thomas (ankle, shoulder). Crowder will have to keep his aggression in check, but he has improved consistently during the season. He has the ability to make explosive plays that can create turnovers.... OLB Junior Seau, out the rest of the season with calf and Achilles' injuries, wants to play another year, but will Miami bring him back? Coach Nick Saban loves Seau's attitude, but it might not be wise to give him a roster spot for another year considering his age (36) and potential health issues. OVERACHIEVING: LT Damion McIntosh has been effective enough that the team no longer is in dire need of upgrading the position. McIntosh never will be a great lee tackle, but now he's a solid one who has shown more consistent footwork. UNDERACHIEVING: WR Chris Chambers hasn't blossomed into the type of big-play receiver the team needs to run the vertical attack it prefers. Chambers hasn't mastered some technical skills, such as attacking the ball with his hands rather than catching it with his body.--Jason Cole

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The team needs to become more creative in its pass-rush schemes because opposing quarterbacks have too much time to survey the field and are chewing up an unimpressive secondary. The defense has allowed more than 300 yards passing to the past four opponents.... LB Menty Beisel has descended into irrelevance with alarming quickness. Brought in to play inside in the 3-4, Beisel started the first six games but fell into a reserve role after Tedy Bruschi returned. Now Beisel plays only in short-yardage alignments. He hasn't been quick enough to react to the run or stout enough to hold his ground. OVERACHIEVING: There were modest expectations for Tim Dwight entering the season, but he has been solid as a return man and dependable as a wide receiver. He has the speed to stretch the field, as evidenced by his 17.4 average per catch. UNDERACHIEVING: CB Asante Samuel's lack of speed is being exposed. Samuel anticipates and breaks on the ball well, but he has trouble defending double moves by fast receivers.--Tom Curran

NEW YORK JETS

Kliff Kingsbury, who has replaced Vinny Testaverde as the No. 2 quarterback, still is learning how to handle a conventional snap from center. He played mostly out of the shotgun at Texas Tech.... DT Dewayne Robertson has regressed. Playing on a bad knee, he seems to lack the quick first step he had last season. He also is being double-teamed more, possibly because he plays next to undersized NT James Reed (6-0, 286). OVERACHIEVING: Rookie SS Kerry Rhodes has started every game, an uncommon feat for a fourth-round pick. He has excellent range and makes few mental errors. He's getting more opportunities to blitz and therefore is making more plays near the line. UNDERACHIEVING: WR Justin McCareins has yet to justify the $28 million contract he received after coming over from Tennessee in a 2004 trade. He has at least seven dropped passes this season. McCareins gets open on intermediate routes but doesn't make many yards after the catch. The team wants to make him a deep threat, but he doesn't have the speed to separate from cornerbacks.--Rich Cimini