Week 6 AFC East predictions: Bills overcome injuries to topple Giants

AFC East teams finished 2-2 in Week 5, with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets picking up wins, while the Buffalo Bills' loss was perhaps more devastating than the New England Patriots' humiliating 34-0 defeat. Here are predictions for Week 6's slate: 

New York Giants (1-4) at Buffalo Bills (3-2): Aside from its 25-20 loss to Jacksonville, Buffalo's trip to London severely damaged its Super Bowl aspirations, with injuries continuing to pile up on defense. LB Matt Milano and DT DaQuan Jones suffered injuries that'll require surgery, keeping them out indefinitely. However, Buffalo has a leg up this week since the Giants are dealing with a multitude of injuries of their own, including those suffered by QB Daniel Jones (neck), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring).

Giants HC Brian Daboll's experience developing Bills QB Josh Allen during his time as Buffalo's offensive coordinator should benefit the team's defense. Still, the Giants offense was probably going to struggle to keep pace with Buffalo's unit from the start, especially since New York averages 12.4 points per game. But if Jones is out, the results should be even more lopsided.

PREDICTION: Bills 31, Giants 17

Carolina Panthers (0-5) at Miami Dolphins (4-1): The Dolphins rebounded from their Week 4 blowout loss to the Bills by crushing the Giants in a game that wasn't QB Tua Tagovailoa's sharpest performance. Even so, Miami and its top-ranked offense is well-positioned to start another winning streak as it hosts the Panthers, who are allowing 28.8 points per game, the fifth most among defenses.

Although Miami will be without its explosive rookie running back De'Von Achane due to a knee injury, it still has Raheem Mostert, the NFL's 14th-best leading rusher, and Jeff Wilson Jr. could make his season debut. Given the talent gap, this matchup should be decided quickly, which sets Miami's backfield up for a productive second half against a defensive unit that has surrendered the seventh-most rushing yards (704) and a league-high nine rushing touchdowns. 

PREDICTION: Dolphins 35, Panthers 14

New England Patriots (1-4) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-3): Over the past two weeks, New England has found itself in unfamiliar territory, having suffered the two largest losses of HC Bill Belichick's career. The stagnant offense has scored just three points during that span, and the unit's 0.85 points per drive this season is on pace to be the worst by any team since 2006, per ESPN Stats & Information research. 

And despite leading the league in turnovers (eight), Mac Jones will remain at quarterback, but he needs to produce sooner rather than later, or the Patriots will have to find another starter. Jones aims to avenge himself after completing 41.9% of his passes for 112 yards against the Raiders last season, but it won't be an easy task. Las Vegas has allowed an average of 197.2 passing yards throughout its first five games.

One noteworthy storyline to monitor is the fact that Belichick is taking on one of his protégés, which historically hasn't gone well for the 71-year-old. Since becoming head coach of the Patriots, Belichick is 15-13 against his former assistants and players, including an 0-2 record against Raiders HC Josh McDaniels. Las Vegas' offense is barely better than New England's, averaging the third-fewest points per game (15.8), and while the Patriots are undermanned, they're far more desperate for a win.

PREDICTION: Patriots 20, Raiders 14

Philadelphia Eagles (5-0) at New York Jets (2-3): The Jets offense is starting to come together under QB Zach Wilson, averaging 25.5 points over the last two games. While Wilson has had a good stretch of play lately, the Jets heavily rely on the running game, which may present a problem against an Eagles defense allowing the second-fewest rushing yards this season (306).

If Philadelphia shuts down Jets RB Breece Hall and forces Wilson to throw often, things might go south, considering the third-year signal-caller has thrown 23 interceptions in 27 career games. Even though New York's defense will always provide the opportunity to keep things close, if the Jets don't win the turnover battle, Philadelphia should remain undefeated. 

PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Jets 10