So the Patriots suffered a loss for once, the Bills are finding a spark of light, the Jets are still stuck in a hole, and the Dolphins get the Tuna, but they still stink…
Here I discuss the season for the four teams that represent the AFC East division.
Buffalo Bills: my prediction (11-5, loses in Wild Card Round)
The Bills have spent three seasons rebuilding their roster under coach Dick Jauron mainly through the draft, hoping for some staying power once all the pieces fall into place. That’s a lot of youth to bank on, but sound coaching, a big-strike offense led by running back Marshawn Lynch, a defense that should be improved against the run with the addition of tackle Marcus Stroud, and some of the NFL’s best special teams will make the Bills a tough out for every opponent. And speaking of those opponents, the Bills have drawn one of the league’s easier schedules with only six games against teams that posted winning records in 2007. One “home” game will be played in Toronto as Buffalo looks to expand its fan base and cash flow. Success on the field, ultimately, will hinge on quarterback play and injuries. Jauron’s master plan was sidetracked by the disappointing play in 2007 of quarterback J.P. Losman. That put the ball into the hands of rookie Trent Edwards, who enters the season with the pressure and expectations of a starter already handed the job, not a third-round draft pick nobody expected to make an impact. The Bills drafted 6’5’’ wide receiver James Hardy out of Indiana specifically to assist Edwards’ development. What would help Edwards most is the defense improving its 31st-place ranking. Much of that hinges on Stroud’s recent history of ankle problems that forced Jacksonville to finally trade the three-time Pro Bowler.
Miami Dolphins: my prediction (0-16, misses playoffs)
It does seem the style of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano to sugarcoat anything, and no one would believe them if they did. All have acknowledged that the Dolphins, after years of mismanagement by Dave Wannstedt and Nick Saban and others, are in need of serious repair. The Dolphins were hardly competitive in Cam Cameron’s first year, only as head coach, in which he made numerous curious decisions on and off the field, losing the respect of many key players. So Parcells replaced Cameron and GM Randy Mueller with two of his Dallas Cowboys protégés, Sparano and Ireland respectively. Parcells inherited a 1-15 Jets team in 1997, leading it as coach to a 9-7 record, and then a 12-4 mark in 1998. don’t expect quite as quick a turnaround here. There aren’t many blue-chippers left. The new regime is building from the inside-out, restocking the roster with big, smart, tough, disciplined players. Parcells may not stick around for all four years of his contract, so the Dolphins fans can only hope that he trains Ireland and Sparano well. A quarterback must emerged from the largely unproven trio on the roster. Several 2008 draft choices, starting with Jake Long, must become stars. For a franchise that has had little stability wince Don Shula was the coach and Dan Marino the quarterback, at least there appears to be some sort of plan. In 2008, however, the best Dolphins fans can expect five or six wins.
New England Patriots: my prediction (15-1, loses in AFC Championship)
Near perfection never tasted so bitter, but Bill Belichick won’t let the Pats wallow in what might have been. They’re instead bent on returning to the title game and claiming their fourth Super Bowl in eight years. It won’t be easy. The AFC East has improved and opponents undoubtedly learned a thing or two from Super Bowl XLII about slowing the Pats record-setting offense (hint: hit them in the mouth). But the Patriots have all the pieces in place to make another run at the top. Quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss are back, along with a Pro Bowl offensive line and nine defensive starters . It might in their best interests to lose an early season game, just so the pressure of perfection doesn’t waylay them again. Trying to finish 16-0 clearly took a toll down the stretch last year, and the Pats would be wise to avoid that kind of stress this time around. The key will be working some new faces into the mix, particularly need an infusion of youth and speed. If rookies like linebacker Jerod Mayo and corner Terrence Wheatley can contribute, the Pats could be headed back to the Promised Land. If they don’t, we may look at Super Bowl XLII as the beginning of the end of the Pats’ near dynasty. The defensive nucleus is aging (Tedi Bruschi and Rodney Harrison are on borrowed time) and the window of opportunity will last as long as Brady remains healthy.
New York Jets: my prediction (6-10, misses playoffs)
The Jets would be hard-pressed to do worse than last season’s 4-12 disaster, and owner Woody Johnson has gone on record as saying neither GM Mike Tannenbaum nor coach Eric Mangini is in danger of losing his job if the team tanks again. But the offseason spending spree by no means guarantees a drastic turnaround in 2008, and either Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens know he’ll be on a short leash. When both struggled last year, so did both the running and passing games as opposing coaches figured out offensive coodinator Brian Schottenheimer’s trickery. The pass rush figures to be better with first-round pick Vernon Gholston, who’ll convert to outside linebacker in the 3-4, even if free agent Calvin Pace fails to duplicate the career-high 6.5 sacks he had last season in Arizona. The defensive line remains questionable (nose tackle Kris Jenkins must watch his weight) and the secondary is still suspect despite the presence of cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Kerry Rhodes, both of whom are among the league’s upper echelon. Veteran left guard Alan Faneca brings stability to the offensive line, but putting free agent Damien Woody permanently at right tackle represents an experiment. Plus, there’s little depth. The schedule will also provide a challenge with four West Coast trips, including a Week 3 game at AFC West power San Diego after hosting defending AFC champion New England in Week 2.
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about 1 month ago
I have to disagree. Heres my predictions:
Patriots: Although I am a true Patriots fan, I am forseeing a 14-2.
Jets: 8-8
Bills: 10-6
Dolphins: 1-15
Great article. Good read.
-Chris Allen
about 1 month ago
I have to disagree with you also. I did write an article about my predicitions:
Patriots 13-3
Bills 9-7
Jets 8-8
Dolphins 4-12
Great article, however.
about 1 month ago
JETS 10-6.
from about 1 month ago
It seems like for every year since 2002, the Jets have been up one year and down the next. Don't expect them to go 10-6 this year, though.
from about 1 month ago
All I know is that the division is going to be a great deal more competetive this year.
about 1 month ago
hows about all of his predictions are right except buffalo,meaning not a playoff team
from about 1 month ago
I think the Bills could surprise a lot of people this year.
from about 1 month ago
these predictions are also very reasonable...Buffalo could very well surprise many teams this year.
about 1 month ago
patriots 15-1 win super bowl
from about 1 month ago
also a great and reasonable prediction...
from about 1 month ago
Never happen.
about 1 month ago
This a pretty good article and i agree with most of it but a couple of things.
First, the dolphins will win 2 or three games. Not out of skill but out of luck and a team having just a bad game due to injuries or or over looking them to the next game.
Second, the Jets are kind of liek the bills were about 2 years ago. Comming to that realazation that it is time to rebiuld and it will still be a couple of years till they break even in the schedule so i am expecting about the same as yoru prediction maybee on less win.
Third, the patriots are the best overall team in the afc east on paper no doubt about it. They are a solid team with some half way decent backups just in case but these players have not been used to there potential in a couple of years and if someone like brady goes down the team will fall apart a little at a time. I do see them getting two losses this year one of thoses to buffalo.
Lasly as far as the Bills they are a up and comming team and they are one of the teams to really watch this year. they have made alot of positive changes to the whole team. If Edwards can stay on track i believe this team can go to the afc chapionship. I believe they would loose to the pats there but it is still a step up from where thay have been in the last couple of years.
from about 1 month ago
well put. AFC championship for the Bills is a big stretch considering how strong the rest of the league is. I agree with your take on each of these teams though.
from about 1 month ago
i agree with brett. an AFC Championship game appearance for the Bills is alot to ask for considering thier in a conferenec with the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Steelers, and Browns...but i like a person who gives bold and detailed predictions, like myself...very well put. props to brett and juston.
about 1 month ago
Bills 16-0 Superbowl champs
about 1 month ago
Bart, I like your enthusiasm and I hope your right. Screw the patriots.
about 1 month ago
BuffaloTom in Jacksonville would love 11-6. Stroud's recovery is important but Poz and Mitchell make the LB corp strong enough for a 3-4. Again, the key factor is getting JP Losman a ride to the Buffalo airport. Take 90 west from training camp, JP, and u can't miss it. Most taxi drivers know the way there.
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