AFC East Division Preview
The AFC East is on pace to become the most hard-nosed fight for supremacy in the entire National Football League (NFL). All four teams seem to genuinely dislike one another and there is bitter history between all of the division’s members.
Realistically, the AFC East will be a serious battle between two teams for the top-spot with a third outsider trying to spoil it for everyone. And for people who have the misfortune of living in upstate New York, there will also be the Buffalo Bills.
Here is a preview of the AFC East:
New England Patriots:
Last season, the Patriots went on an uninspiring 10-6 run, but it was good enough to win the division. However, they still have arguably the best quarterback in the league in Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s coaching genius can never be counted out.
The Patriots got a lot of young players in the draft this season so they should be fine within a few years. However, this year their play relies heavily on receivers Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Welker blew out his ACL at the end of last season and Moss simply could not perform well without the threat of Welker in the slot. If the duo both come back healthy and focused, the Patriots are in the running to win the division. If not, forget about New England this year.
New York Jets:
Last season, the 9-7 Jets managed a surprising playoff run thanks to their NFL-best defence. Although star cornerback Darrelle Revis is holding out from training camp right now, he will return in time to form the best cover corner duo in football with Antonio Cromartie.
Additionally, the Jets have bolstered their offence. Quaterback (QB) Mark Sanchez is now more experienced and has a very favourable target in Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to throw to. The Jets also added aging running back LaDainian Tomlinson to the squad. Tomlinson will still be useful for short screen passes and will be a valuable mentor to the team’s other backs.
Even if the new additions to the offence don’t mix well, the Jets still have the best defence in football and remain the favourites to win the AFC East, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2002.
Miami Dolphins:
Although the Dolphins didn’t make the playoffs with their 7-9 record last year, they have a very interesting Bill Parcells-constructed offence. The Dolphins can run at will with strong backs and through the development of their Wildcat formation offence.
Now they have diversified their offensive capabilities by adding wide receiver Brandon Marshall as a target for the young Chad Henne. Marshall has to prove himself outside of Denver and Henne, although one of the smartest young quarterbacks in the NFL, still has a lot of growing to do.
The Dolphins are a great team to watch play, and will be a threat to both the Patriots and Jets late in the season, but are not primed to be a playoff contenders or division champs just yet.
Buffalo Bills:
Where to start with the Buffalo Bills? Last season’s 6-10 might actually seem like a good record with the team’s direction this year.
Currently, the Bills do not have a starting quarterback of any sort. Regardless of which of their four quarterbacks is given the starting job, the Bills will be woefully run from the centre. To top it off, the Bills had a chance to draft Jimmy Clausen to attempt to rebuild, but instead chose running back C.J. Spiller, who might not be the best for home games in snowy Buffalo, especially with defences stacking the lines against him. Even if the Bills did have a quarterback, they have no truly talented receiver options to throw to anyway.
The only thing preventing Buffalo from becoming a Detroit Lions-esque failure is their stable defence. All in all, Bills fans should expect a long long season in Buffalo.
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