Brady, Buffalo, and The Wildcat: Breaking Down The AFC East

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Forecasting the AFC East: Balanced Division Will Depend on Brady’s Return

In a division that has shifted from a one horse race to a balanced field in just a year, the battle for AFC East supremacy in 2009-10 hinges on the return of Tom Brady and his supposedly healthy knee. While New England has dominated the division since 2001, we all witnessed on-field improvements from virtually every team in the division a year ago, and going into 2009 this looks to be the best top to bottom, competitive division in football..

Last year, with Matt Cassel under center, the Patriots lost a first place tie-breaker with those upstart Fish and missed out on the playoffs, while Buffalo and New York were unable to maintain their quick starts. Belichick’s crew is, however, 33-9 in the division since 2002, and you can be sure that New England will be eager to reclaim the AFC East crown from Miami. 

Let’s take an in depth look at the key additions and departures each team has experienced this off-season and how those changes affect their offensive and defensive units. Then, I’ll make some predictions and we’ll sort out which team should rise to the top in 2009.

Buffalo Bills:

2008-9 Record: 7-9

Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens, DE Aaron Maybin, CB Drayton Florence, C Geoff Hangartner

Key Losses: OT Jason Peters

2008 Assessment: The Bills started fast a year ago, getting to 5-1 before losing eight of their last ten games and finishing the year in disappointing fashion at 7-9. Buffalo finished in the bottom third of the league in both offensive YPG and passing YPG, while they held their own defensively despite a lack of big play ability. Offensive depth and explosiveness were big questions after Buffalo’s second half fizzle of a year ago.

Offensive Outlook: Buffalo believes they’ve remedied their lack of big play ability with the arrival of Terrell Owens. We all know how destructive Owens can be off the field, but assuming he keeps his head on straight and plays with a purpose, he’s a guy who will help stretch the field vertically for the Bills and offensive play caller Turk Schonert. His speed and presence at the second level will open up the slot for Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, and Josh Reed, and the Bills should more effectively be able to maximize their play-action calls given Owens’ height and size advantage on the outside. Alongside Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson at running back, Trent Edwards under center, and a fortified offensive line, Owens compliments what should constitute an improved offensive core for the Bills.

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