Sporting News, The: AFC east

BUFFALO BILLS

CB Nate Clements is one of the best cover men in the NFL. He has the size (6-0, 209) to match up with big receivers and excels in man-to-man situations because of his speed and ball skills. He is a physical tackler, but his gambling style gets him in trouble at times. He also tends to bite on play fakes and double moves.... OLB Takeo Spikes, a sideline-to-sideline playmaker, is having a stellar season. He has the ideal combination of size, speed and athletic ability.... The offense has come alive. An improved running game, led by RB Willis McGahee, has created opportunities for the passing attack, which stretches the field with WRs Eric Moulds and Lee Evans. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C+. McGahee's running and Drew Bledsoe's passing have helped the team average 39 points in the past three games. Defense: B. The front seven is stout; the young secondary is growing up. Special teams: A. KR Terrence McGee is a standout. Coaching: 8. After an 0-4 start, coach Mike Mularkey and his staff have put it together.--Allen Wilson

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Rookie Rex Hadnot has replaced Taylor Whitley at right guard. Hadnot started two weeks for LG Jeno James (knee) and played so well that when James returned, Hadnot (6-2,323) was switched to the other side. Hadnot's emergence has led to better protection. He uses his low center of gravity well and is a better athlete than the team expected .... Buffalo exposed the lack of recovery speed in the secondary. The Bills took advantage of SS Sammy Knight on a 69-yard TD pass to Lee Evans.... RE Jason Taylor has been much more effective the past two games because coaches have put him in different spots to keep offenses from double-teaming him. Taylor has lined up at left end and in a linebacker role, allowing him to rush through the middle. THIRD QUART[R GRADES: Offense: F. QB A.J. Feeley has showed some signs of progress, but that's it. Defense: C+. Injuries and some inadequacies have caught up with the unit. Special teams: B-. Solid across the board but nothing spectacular. Coaching: D. Jim Bates is an improvement, but the situation was awful.--Jason Cole

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

It's a testament to Eugene Wilson's versatility and football intelligence that he has made a seamless transition to cornerback, his college position, after spending most of the last two years at free safety. Wilson hasn't lost any of his cover skills, and he knows where to be. He still plays some safety, often alternating from snap to snap.... C Dan Koppen plays far bigger than his frame (6-2,296). Koppen has good strength and even better technique. His use of leverage allows him to defeat much bigger players. Koppen is smart, too. He is able to call most of the line signals without much difficulty despite having played less than two seasons in the NFL. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: B+. RB Corey Dillon continues to make plays, giving the passing game a great complement. Defense: A-. The unit gives up yards but rarely points. Special teams: 8+. K Adam Vinatieri has missed just once, and P Josh Miller has been an upgrade. Coaching: A. Secondary coach Eric Mangini and coordinator Romeo Crennel deserve mention for the defense's success despite injuries in the secondary.--Michael Felger

NEW YORK JETS

The play of the secondary has improved in the past six games; the Jets have allowed just two 200-yard passing games and have yielded only two completions longer than 29 yards in that span. It's the same four starters, but they're playing more cohesively.... The return of QB Chad Pennington (shoulder) bodes well for the passing game. He often spreads the offense to seven or eight receivers, making it tough for defenses to key on one player. He also isn't afraid to check off plays at the line of scrimmage .... LT Jason Fabini is a blue-collar lineman who uses smarts and technique to make up for lack of athleticism. He struggles at times against speed rushers, but when the Jets need tough yards, they usually run behind Fabini and LG Pete Kendall. THIRD QUARTER GRADES: Offense: B-. It ain't pretty, but the Jets can run the ball with anyone. Defense: A. The team has six second half shutouts. Special teams; C+, Solid, but not as explosive as in the past. Coaching: A. Coordinator Donnie Henderson is a miracle worker on defense, which carried the team through its Pennington-less stretch.--Rich Cimini