NFL Preview: AFC East

AFC East:

You can say what you want about the AFC East and the moves some teams might make, but the New England Patriots have had their way with the division over the last 15 seasons. This year they could have some actual competition and could finally be dethroned (not likely though). The defending Super Bowl champs lost a vast amount of talent however; Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork, Brandon Browner, Shane Vereen, and Steven Ridley all moved on to other teams. They do still have Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Bill Belichick roaming the sidelines. 

The Buffalo Bills did a few things in the off-season to help their cause by trading for All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles. They also added Percy Harvin, who should help whoever is taking snaps for new head coach Rex Ryan (Kyle Orton, Matt Cassell, or EJ Manuel). With one of the top defenses returning and a new spark in the organization, the Bills look to capitalize on that new found spark and get back to the glory days.

 

 Down in Miami the Dolphins also look to close the gap on the Patriots as they brought in free agent megastar Ndamukong Suh as well as drafting more downfield help in wide receiver DeVante Parker from Louisville. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill received a new deal and the arrow for the Dolphins could finally be pointing up. Head coach Joe Philbin’s coaching seat is pretty hot in South Beach and if he doesn’t cool it down by making the playoffs, he could be on his way out.

Then there are the New York Jets; who knows what kind of season they will have. Could this finally be the year Geno Smith leads the team to the playoffs? Probably not. He’s got a lot of help around him on both sides of the ball however so there will be even fewer excuses. Brandon Marshall comes over from Chicago along Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. The two corners were acquired during the off-season to help the cause on the defensive side of the ball.

The AFC East might not be the best division out there but it should be an interesting and entertaining year to say the least. It always is. 

Prediction: The Patriots reign supreme yet again grabbing their 13^th division title since 2001.