By CHUCK POLLOCK, Sun Senior Sports Columnist
Sunday could be a key juncture for the NFL’s AFC East divisional race. For the past five years it has belonged to the Bills. But this season, the New England Patriots have staked their own claim.
With a new coach, former Patrriot linebacker Mike Vrabel, and a budding franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, the Pats are the real deal, leading the division with a 7-2 record — they have yet to get their bye week — and owning a head-to-head victory over Buffalo in Orchard Park.
Sunday afternoon, the Pats will face the Buccaneers (6-2) in Tampa as 2 1/2-point underdogs.
At the same time, the Bills (6-2) will also be in Florida, facing the Dolphins (2-7) in Miami Gardens as 9 1/2-point favorites (1 o’clock CBS-TV, Bills Radio Network).
At the end of the afternoon, Buffalo could have the better record by a half game but the Pats would still have that head-to-head advantage.
STILL THERE’S unrest among the Bills faithful as the NFL trade deadline has come and gone and general manager Brandon Beane, a known trader, made no moves on a roster fraught with injury and with clear talent shortcomings.
Earlier this week, in a meeting with the media, Beane was defensive.
“I do believe we can win a championship with this roster,” he maintained, after being blasted on social media.
Even he admitted surprise that he was unable to swing a deal.
“I cannot force someone to trade me a player,” Beane pointed out, adding that Buffalo has a lack of salary cap space ($3.3 million), a figure for which he’s responsible.
“Believe me, I went home as mad as any other fan,” Beane said. “I wanted to do things. I’m always wanting to do things to make this team better. My job is to not be reckless with this role. It’s not fantasy football. … There are so many ramifications of cost and draft picks.
“We’re usually very active. I’m always active. You put a lot of work in. Sometimes you look back, when you go home at night, like ‘Damn, that was a waste of time.'”
Meanwhile, quarterback Josh Allen defended his team’s general manager.
“I can figure maybe the outside perspective of people aren’t too happy (about no deals being made), but, I trust Beane,” he said. “I trust the players on this roster. We’re going to keep getting better each and every week and that’s our focus. That’s all I care about.”
However, making a deal or two was less about improving the team but rather defending it from the ravages of injury.
Lost for at least the rest of regular season is defensive tackle Ed Oliver (torn biceps) and edge rusher Michael Hoecht (Achilles) who won’t be back until next season. Other Bills on four-week injured reserve are place-kicker Tyler Bass, cornerback Dorian Strong, defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and DeWayne Carter and safety Taylor Rapp.
In addition, 10 names were on this week’s injury report.
“I BELIEVE we can win, and the reason is we’ve got guys who are buying into playing as a team, playing for one another,” coach Sean McDermott said. “We’ve got a culture that’s ripe and a coaching staff that knows how to develop players.
“Do we have some holes due to some injuries? We do, and it’s frustrating. But that’s also where young guys have to step up … that’s how I see it.”
The Dolphins have issues of their own as coach Mike McDaniel, who seemed a candidate to be fired, survived as Miami axed its general manager.
McDaniel went 20-14 his first two seasons and made the playoffs each year. But since then he’s 10-15 in a year and a half and has been rumored in job jeopardy. Miami owns wins over the Jets and Falcons this season and has dropped three one-possession games.
Offensively, he has quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jalen Waddle but the season’s biggest blow was losing explosive wideout Tyreek Hill.
INJURIES
Buffalo’s late-week injury report contained nine names: cornerback Christian Benford (groin), edge rusher A.J. Epenesa (concussion), safety Sam Franklin (illness) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring) all didn’t practice.
Those who were limited in practice were edge rusher Joey Bosa (wrist), running back James Cook (ankle), nickel back Taron Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Da’Quan Jones (calf) and wide receiver Joshua PAlmer (ankle/knee).
Of that list, all but Thompson and Franklin are starters while the most impactful victims are Cook and Bosa.
POLLOCK’S PICK: Bills 30, Dolphins 20
