Before we know it, players will be taking the field for Week 1 of the regular season as long as everything goes to plan. With the start of the season comes streaks that both teams and players are looking to extend to continue moving in a positive direction. However, some streaks will also look to be broken so that players can turn the corner. This time on the AFC East Round up, we discuss some of these streaks.
Buffalo Bills: The Secondary
A streak the Bills hope to continue involves the secondary and an impressive stat that some people may not know. The secondary went seven straight games to end the season, including the post season, without allowing a 100-yard receiver. The last receiver to do it was DeVante Parker of the Miami Dolphins with 135 yards. This is pretty impressive seeing that the team faced guys such as Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins and kept them in check. There’s no reason why the secondary can’t continue this if they remain healthy and available—there were no major departures and the unit is of course led by First-Team All-Pro Tre’Davious White.
New England Patriots: Division Dominance
Every knows that the Patriots have dominated the division for the past decade and they’ll be looking to extend their streak of 11 division titles in a row this coming season. It will not come without challenges, though, as the other teams in the AFC East are looking better than they have in a long time. Also, the Patriots will be without Tom Brady under center but feel that they have a suitable replacement in former MVP Cam Newton. However, they’ll also be trying to fill holes as eight of their players have chose to opt out of the upcoming season due to COVID-10 concerns. If head coach Bill Belichick wants to continue his stranglehold then he will have to produce one of his best-coached seasons in quite some time.
New York Jets: Sam Darnold’s Ball Security
Next up we come to a streak trying to be broken—one that involves the Jets’ third-year quarterback. Darnold is currently on a four-game streak having at least one turnover either by way of interception of a fumble. Ball security is one of the most important aspects of the game, especially for a young quarterback, so it’s important for Darnold to improve on the 13 interceptions and 11 fumbles from a year ago. This is a big year for him as he’s going into his third season since being a top pick and failing to lead his team to the postseason in either year. On the bright side, Darnold is riding a positive streak of four straight games with at least one passing touchdown. He has the skills to be one of the top players in the league but now is the time to show it.
Miami Dolphins: Winning Steak
It may seem minor that the Dolphins ended last year on a two-game winning streak but you have to look at the bigger picture. Head coach Brian Flores was in his first year with the team and trying to rebuild while staying competitive. Early on, the defense was historically one of the all-time worst in points allowed. Then in the second half of the season the Dolphins appeared to turn a corner and played hard for their coach. They ended the season with a huge victory over the Patriots that prevented them from achieving a first-round bye in the playoffs. It may be a minor streak but the Dolphins are setting up as a force to be reckoned with for years to come in the division.