Bills Allen Has Struggled This Year
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
If there is one thing that has been consistent about the National football League this year, it is that week after week, there has been no team that is guaranteed to come away with a victory. Hence the moniker that the NFL stands for: “Not For Long!” This week, the New York Beacon Sports department takes a look at the teams in the American Conference.
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
AFC East: After getting to within one game of the Super Bowl last year the Buffalo Bills led by quarterback Josh Allen (they lost to the Chiefs) were the heavy favorite to not only win the division but represent the conference in the big game this year. After 7 weeks, they sported a 5-2 record justifying their expectation. Since then, after losing to the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime last Sunday, their record fell to 7-6. The Bills host Carolina Sunday (Allen expected to play after an ankle injury) will be looking to get back on track before traveling to face the first place New England Patriots (9-4) who for the first time under head coach Bill Belichick failed to get to the postseason or the first time since 2008. Belichick drafted quarterback Mac Jones, cut veteran Cam Newton and are currently on a 7-game winning streak. The Pats have a big test Sunday when they travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts.
AFC North: You talk about a rollercoaster division just look at the records of these teams. They don’t call it the Black and Blue division for nothing. First place Baltimore (8-5) loses to Cleveland (7-6) in a game that saw Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson go down with an ankle injury. The Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) loses to the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1) lose to the Minnesota Vikings. Currently, the Bengals have the best division record (3-1) and best conference record (5-3). As it looks now, only one team will come out with a playoff spot.
AFC South: The Tennessee Titans are on top (9-4) after shutting out the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-0. The Jags go on the road to face a very desperate Steelers team. The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) threw a shutout as well taking down the Houston Texans 31-0. Know that the Belichick defense will throw everything at Colts quarterback Carson Wentz.
AFC West: The Kansas City Chiefs, who lost to the Bucs in last year’s Super Bowl, started the year not looking like that same team. They began the year 3-4 as head coach head Andy Reid took heat for the team’s early struggle. After destroying the Las Vegas 48-9, the Chiefs’ (9-4) winning streak is at 6 and they are back in the conversation of going deep the playoffs. Right behind them are the Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) after taking out the New York Giants 37-21.
Week 15 begins tonight when the Chiefs and Chargers clash in Los Angeles. Pundits who claim they know the eventual out comes of the games are delusional. That is why the NFL stands for: Not For Long!
Next week, the New York Beacon Sports department will take a look at the teams in the National Conference.
