In preparation of that, I’ve decided to start a season preview series discussing different aspects of each team in relation to their respective divisions.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
AFC East
The AFC East is historically one of the most dominated divisions in the NFL as the four teams have made a combined 16 Super Bowl appearances. Granted, they haven’t won all too many of them, but that’s still an unprecedented number. And who knows, with the way that the Patriots and Jets are playing, they may even add to that.
4. Buffalo Bills
Simply said, the Bills just aren’t on par with the rest of the league. Other than a couple intriguing players like Steve Johnson and Jairius Byrd, they don’t have a ton of talent on that roster. They’re in rebuilding mode, and it could be a while before we see them competing again.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have a solid team in place, but lack the most important ingredient to building a successful team: a quarterback. Chad Henne clearly isn’t the answer, and after failing to execute the trade for Kyle Orton, they’re left in the same horrible position that got them the 5th worst cumulative passer rating in the NFL.
2. New York Jets
The Jets are definitely one of the most talked about teams in the league. However, they go into this season with some legitimate questions, and that being even aside from the fact that I don’t consider Mark Sanchez a true franchise quarterback. They lost three of their top four wide receivers and replaced them with aging veterans Derrick Mason and Plaxico Burress. In addition, they’re going to be playing some new faces along the defensive line. I trust Rex Ryan and I’m impressed with what he’s done so far, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough.
1. New England Patriots
After coming off a 14-2 campaign, the Patriots remain the alpha dogs in this division. Sure, they got ousted by the Jets in the Divisional Round playoffs, but they kept the core of their team together, drafted well, and made some bold moves by bringing in Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth. It’ll be a neck and neck competition with their rival Jets, but I give the Pats a slight edge.
