BY NICK ST. DENIS
There was some giving and taking this week between the NFL and the AFC East.
Teams in the division were responsible for two of the three NFL player of the week nods and four of the league's 11 fines.
Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake earned defensive player of the week honors after tallying three tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in Miami’s 33-20 win over the New England Patriots.
Both forced fumbles were recovered by the Dolphins and led to 10 critical second-half points.
Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter, meanwhile, was named special teams player of the week, having converted all three field-goal attempts, including the 27-yard game winner and a 50-yarder in the second quarter, in the Bills’ 23-20 overtime victory at the Chicago Bears.
On the flip side, Patriots defensive end and outside linebacker Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower, respectively, each picked up a $16,537 fine for a roughing-the-passer hits on Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and Jets outside linebacker Calvin pace was hit with the same fine for roughing up Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in a winning effort.
Bills inside linebacker Brandon Spikes pitched in with an $8,268 fine of his own as a result of a late hit against the Bears.
Jets running back Chris Ivory and Dolphins tailback Knowshon Moreno were nominated for the offensive honors, as well, and Bills cornerback Corey Graham was nominated on the defensive side of the ball. Bills punter Colton Schmidt was a nominee on special teams.
