Around the AFC
D.T. shut out. For only the second time in his 127-game regular season career, Texans receiver Demaryius Thomas went without a catch in last week’s win over Washington. Thomas was targeted once in 47 snaps. The other time he was blanked was for the Broncos at the Chargers in November 2011. “I think with D.T., we have to look at (things) as an offensive staff,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He did some good things. He ran some good routes. The ball just didn’t go his way. … I think we need to work at really getting him more involved in the offense, no doubt about it.”
Brady nearing records. Earlier this season Peyton Manning saw his all-time regular season passing yardage record eclipsed by New Orleans’ Drew Brees. On Sunday, Manning’s regular season/playoff records for passing yards (79,279) and touchdowns (579) could be topped by New England’s Tom Brady. Facing the New York Jets, Brady needs 147 yards and four touchdowns to pass Manning. Brady is currently at 79,133 yards and 576 touchdowns.
Chargers regroup. When last seen, the Los Angeles Chargers were squandering a 12-point lead against the Broncos and lost 23-22 as time expired. It snapped a six-game winning streak; had they won, the Chargers (7-3) would be tied in the loss column with Kansas City (9-2). They host Arizona on Sunday. “Oh, absolutely, it can definitely be a wake-up call,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said of last week’s loss. “This is when we need to be moving and the wake-up call like that, (it) could have been just what we needed.”
Throw more, run less. Baltimore rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson won his starting debut last week against Cincinnati. He ran 27 times for 117 yards and completed 13 of 19 passes for 150 yards. The goal against Oakland on Sunday is to get his receivers more involved. “I was shocked myself,” Jackson said of his carries. “My eyes are always up the field. Their job is to catch the ball (and) help us win games. Thatap my job to get the ball to them.”
