THE AFC EAST – Week 12 / 2012

 

MIAMI DOLPHINS 24 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 21
November 25, 2012

Tannehill pulled off his first fourth-quarter comeback victory, and the Dolphins (5/6) snapped a 3 game losing streak. Ryan Tannehill was hardly a rattled rookie as he stood in his end zone, contemplating the long drive the Miami Dolphins needed with the score tied and 92 seconds left. Tannehill did just that, moving the Dolphins 65 yards in six plays to set up a 43-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter at the final gun. By defeating the Seahawks, the Dolphins remained in postseason contention and ensured they will have a meaningful December. “In this league you need to win some games like this,” Coach Joe Philbin said. “It’s important for any quarterback to do that.”

Unfortunately the team went 2-3 in the final games and ended the season 7-9. The Dolphins made moves to improve the team through the draft and free agency in 2013 but finds itself at the 5/6 mark again with a difficult schedule for the remaining 5 games.

 

BUFFALO BILLS 13 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 20
November 25, 2012

Spiller’s 6^th straight 100+ yard rushing game, Mario William’s 3 sack outing, and Stevie Johnson’s six receptions for 106 yards, for Buffalo (4-7) all got lost in the post game hoopla. Rookie QB  Andrew Luck and the Colts (7-4) were the darlings of the sportswriters. Most wins in season by rookie QB, Colts interim coach Bruce Arians wanted to send Chuck Pagano home with a smile Sunday, Two Colts cheerleaders shaved their heads, etc … The Bills (4-7) couldn’t compete with all of that.
For the game itself T.Y Hilton got things started for Indy by fielding Shawn Powell’s 48-yard punt at his own 25, faking out Smith, breaking another tackle in the middle of the field and sprinting to the end zone for Indy’s first score. The teams exchanged field goals twice, each scored another touchdown and that was it.

The Bills closed out last season by going 2-3 in the final games for a 6-10 season. Despite the same record as last year the Bills are hopeful improvements to the team and an easier schedule get them into the playoffs.

 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 49 NEW YORK JETS 19
November 22,2012

 Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (8-3) put this game — and the New York Jets’ 4/7) ugly season — away early. The scoreless 1^st quarter gave no indication that by halftime it would be a big-time laugher with the joke on the New York Jets. In a 56 second period Shane Vereen scored on a 72 yard catch and run, while Steve Gregory and Julian Edelman scored on fumble recoveries. Another touchdown pass by Wes Welker and a TD run by Stevan Ridley left the Jets on the wrong side of 35-3 at halftime.

The Patriots went on to win 4 of the last 5 contests ending the season at 12-4 and winning the division. Their hopes of another Superbowl appearance were dashed by a 13-28 loss in the conference championship game to the Baltimore Ravens who went on to win the Superbowl.

NEW YORK JETS 19 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 49
November 22, 2012

The New York Jets (4-7) became a national laughingstock, falling apart in every imaginable way — and some unimaginable — in an embarrassing 49-19 loss to the New England Patriots (8-3) at MetLife Stadium. Fireman Ed called it quits. Sanchez invented the butt-fumble. The fans were chanting for Tim Tebow and booing as the team left the MetLife Stadium field at halftime. “Shoot, I don’t blame them for booing,” Ryan said. They allowed 35 points in the second quarter with a series of slapstick plays straight out of the Rich Kotite era — including 21 points in a span of 52 seconds. Only two other teams have scored three touchdowns in under a minute since the merger: the 2002 Seahawks against the Vikings and the 1998 Falcons against the Panthers.

The Jets ended the season at 6-10 following a 2-3 record in the final games amid speculation of changes to the front office and coaching staff. The New York Jets (5-6 for 2013) are the only AFC East team to improve their position when compared to last year.