Morning take: Patriots getting healthy

December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
7:00
AM ET
By James Walker | ESPN.com
Here are the most interesting stories Friday in the AFC East:
  • The New England Patriots could have Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins (calf) and rookie defensive end Chandler Jones (ankle) back in the lineup Monday against the Houston Texans.
Morning take: This is good news for New England, which is getting healthy at the right time. New England needs to rush the passer and protect its quarterback, and Jones and Mankins will contribute to that.
  • The San Francisco 49ers are wary of Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake.
Morning take: Wake is having a Pro Bowl-caliber year. I'm still scratching my head why he was takien off the field on the final drive last week by Dolphins coach Joe Philbin.
Morning take: This is not an easy pick, even though Jacksonville is one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Jets need a better game from starting quarterback Mark Sanchez to prevail on the road.
  • Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams says the team will be hungry this week against the St. Louis Rams.
Morning take: Buffalo is not good enough to lose focus and still prevail. The Bills need to be at their best to beat the surging Rams, even at home. I'm most worried about the matchup between Buffalo's banged-up offensive line against St. Louis' talented defensive line.

James Walker | email

NFL
  • ESPN AFC East Blogger
  • Joined ESPN in 2008
  • A Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md., native who lives in Miami
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Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, New England Patriots, AFC East, AFC, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, NFL

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James Walker
James Walker

Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.

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