Tom Brady’s Patriots are still the team to beat, but lookout for Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Between the Patriots and the Jets, the AFC East is always bound to be a much-discussed division, and it promises to be entertaining both on the field and off it throughout 2013-14. The Patriots are the reigning division champs and AFC runners-up, and while they were the only team in the division with a winning record last year, improvements made by the Dolphins and Bills should make it a bit more competitive this season:
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-4; lost AFC Championship to Baltimore, 28-13)
The only thing stronger than the Patriots’ hold on the AFC East in this century (10 divisional titles since 2001, winning fewer than 10 games only once in that span) has been their hold on the spotlight. This offseason alone, there was Wes Welker’s departure to Denver, the addition of media obsession Tim Tebow, the injuries to Rob Gronkowski, and the ongoing Aaron Hernandez situation. Despite the potential distractions, this is still the best team in the division, though the gap between them and the rest of the field will shrink a bit this season. Tom Brady is still Tom Brady, they added Danny Amendola and Adrian Wilson, and RB Shane Vereen seems poised to break out with an increased role in the passing game. Brady will have fewer weapons to throw to, and the defense will have to play more consistently than they did last year, but look for the Patriots to make yet another run to the postseason.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-9; missed playoffs)
Certainly the most active team in the offseason so far, the Dolphins may also end up being the most improved. In free agency, they added Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson, and Dustin Keller to their pass attack, bolstered their offensive line with Tyson Clabo and Lance Louis, and had a fantastic draft that brought in rookies who can contribute immediately. The defense is solid, finishing seventh in the league last year in points allowed. The biggest question mark is Ryan Tannehill. Miami will only go as far as he takes them, and if he continues to play as well as he did in the last few weeks of last season, they could be in good shape, certainly a postseason contender, potentially a fierce challenger to New England in the division. If he doesn’t play well, none of the changes will matter. That’s a lot to put on the shoulders of a sophomore quarterback, but the Dolphins are going to make some noise either way.
3. NEW YORK JETS (6-10; missed playoffs)
The trials and tribulations of Rex Ryan’s Jets has caused a lot of ink to spill for the last calendar year, so we’ll begin with the positives. The trade for Chris Ivory has potential to pay huge dividends if he can live up to his expectations. TE Jeff Cumberland played well last year, and will get a chance to start with Dustin Keller’s departure. Most importantly, they got a steal in the second round of the draft, taking Geno Smith, a potential franchise quarterback that many pegged as the best playcaller available. However, this is still, inexplicably, Mark Sanchez’s team, and therein lies the biggest of many glaring weaknesses with the Jets. Their secondary, excellent last year, lost too much personnel to be a good unit, and they are already threatening to miscoach Smith before he even sets foot on the field. The Jets are a mess, and their rebuilding will extend beyond this season.
4. BUFFALO BILLS (6-10; missed playoffs)
The last time the Bills finished at .500 or better, Drew Bledsoe was their starting quarterback. The last time they made the playoffs, it was Doug Flutie. Last playoff victory? Jim Kelly. The Bills’ playoff drought is the longest in the NFL, and while it’s unlikely that the team will break their streak anytime soon, there is reason for the people of Western New York to be hopeful. They’ve got weapons in the passing game, even though Kevin Kolb has been a disappointment and E.J. Manuel is a completely unproven rookie, a completely overhauled coaching staff, and a defense that is moving in the right direction. Their roster is as talented as it’s been in some time, but with New England and Miami to contend with, their record is unlikely to reflect their improvements.
FINAL STANDINGS PREDICTION:
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: 11-5
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS: 10-6
3. BUFFALO BILLS: 6-10
4. NEW YORK JETS: 5-11
