This season is full of interesting plots with old faces in new places, the Brett Favre saga, and off-season hold outs. These story lines will most certainly have an effect on the outcome of certain teams season's. Injuries have ravaged certain teams, and might open some doors for some clubs to pass the teams that are considered superior in rankings. This post is about the AFC East.
AFC EAST:
1. New York Jets-
Offense: The Jets are stacked offensively with 3 Pro-Bowl caliber wide receivers (Santonio Holmes is suspended for the first four games), a very talented tight end in Dustin Keller, one of the best offensive lines in the league, and great running backs in Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson.You could say it's a Superbowl caliber offense, but there is one man who could hold them back. Quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez has had a slow preseason, and it has led many to believe that he has not progressed. But if Sanchez's performance at the end of last year is any indicator, he could end up being a surprise to everyone. Except me of course. The talent on this offense is unbelievable. Other defenses should look out.
Defense: Last year, this was the best unit in the league. Number one in YPG, Passing YPG, points allowed, and 3rd down conversions. By the way this offseason and preseason have looked, it only seems to have gotten better. The key was ending All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis' 36 day hold-out. He is their best player and can cover any receiver 1 on 1. But Darrelle is not the only good player on this team. The Jets will have Pro-Bowl DT Kris Jenkins back, and brought in Jason Taylor to provide more pass rush from an already stellar linebacker corps. Three key additions to the secondary (Pro-Bowl corner Antonio Cromartie, rookie CB Kyle Wilson, and S Brodney Pool) will help to make sure that the massacre that occurred in the AFC Championship will not happen again.
Season Result: People will say I'm biased because the Jets are my favorite team. I'm thinking realistically here. The Jets will be around 11-5 with this division win.
2. New England Patriots-
Offense: Tom Brady proved me wrong last year with his good performance. I was expecting a post ACL tear meltdown for him. Now at 100%, Brady might recapture his 2007 form. He has Randy Moss, who is still one of the best wide receivers in the game, and Wes Welker who has made a tremendous recovery from a late season ACL tear last year. He has a couple young tight-ends to throw the ball to as well (Hernandez, Gronkowski). Their running game remains a concern. Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk are both another year older, and their youngest and most talented back, Laurence Maroney seems to in Belichik's dog house. The hold out of Pro-Bowl guard Logan Mankins doesn't help things.
Defense: This Patriots defense is for another tough year. This young team has already suffered injuries in the secondary and on the D-Line to key players like DE Ty Warren. They will be starting 1st round pick CB Devin McCourty, whos play so far this season has been sub par. Jerod Mayo will have to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season and somewhere, somehow, they will need a pass rush. Overall not a great group on defense.
Season Result: Last year, Brady came back to a tougher division where the Jets and Dolphins were actually GOOD! Shocker. Now he has to pay the price. The Pats D will hold them back from winning this division. I could see them going 10-6.
3. Miami Dolphins-
Offense: The WILDCAT will make it's return to this offense with the return of RB Ronnie Brown, who was lost last year to injury. This team will still feature a run first offense, despite the addition of All-Pro WR Brandon Marshall. Marshall adds a new dimension to this team, a tough player who will go up for the catch and get yards after the catch is made. The success of the trade for Marshall, however, is completely dependent on the QB play of Chad Henne. Henne has not had a strong preseason, and Bill Parcells reported that he was disappointed in Henne's progression this offseason.
Defense: Miamas D is young. It has a talented secondary, especially at the cornerback position. Led by new MLB Karlos Dansby, the Dolphins linebacking core looks solid with break-out candidates Cameron Wake and rookie LB Koa Misi. In the trenches, Randy Starks looks to be the anchor. In order for this talented group to be successful, they must come together and work as a team, because this years starting line up looks a lot different than last years.
Season Results: This will be a team with ups and downs as the year progresses. They will fall behind in a tough division however, and finish no better than 8-8
4. Buffalo Bills-
Offense: There isn't much to talk about on this offense besides first round pick RB C.J. Spiller. In the preseason, Spiller has shown the abilty to break runs with minimal blocking, which is exactly what he will need to do because the Bills failed to upgrade the offensive line, which is one of the worst in the league, during the offseason. They also have RBs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch to help spread the load on the ground. The loss of T.O. at wide receiver makes this passing attack look even more pitiful, but Lee Evans could make me change my opinion. He has flashed some greatness this preseason. Never the less, this offense is still a work in progress.
Defense: The Bill have one of the most impressive secondaries in the league. The group was second last year in interceptions. They will be getting CB Leodis McKelvin back, to add to last years rookie sensation Jairus Byrd, Donte Whitner, and Terrance Mcgee. The linebacking core will be headed by Paul Posluszny, but they will need some of their no name linebackers to step up and get pressure in their new 3-4 defense. They have not done much in the way of adding anyone to stop the run. It will be an area of weakness for this team all year.
Season Results: This team did not have a great offseason. They not resolve their biggest problems with the offensive and defensive lines. They will get 5 wins TOPS.
Stay tuned, next post will be on the NFC East!
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