AFC East Preview
Continuing with the "getting anything related to Brett Favre out of the way quickly as possible" theme, a look at the AFC East:
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (projected record: 13-3)
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Last season saw the Patriots become the first team to go undefeated in a 16-game regular season, but it ended with 18 wins and one "Giant" loss. Belichick and company have had six months to sit and think about their failure in the Super Bowl, but unlike many of the last few Super Bowl losers, this team will rebound with a title-contending campaign. There is too much talent on both sides of the ball for that not to happen. Plus, they are in a fairly easy division. I don't think they'll go 16-0 again, instead saving up steam for a run at the Super Bowl that will not have the immense pressure of going undefeated in the picture. And I don't believe Brady or Moss will match their unworldly stats of 2007. But 13 or 14 wins is a sure bet, even with Brett Favre and Bill Parcells joining the division fight.
BUFFALO BILLS (8-8)Dick Jauron has done a commendable job in his first two years in Buffalo, seeing how he is leading a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs this century. He will be expected to take them there in 2008, but seeing how the AFC is so deep, that is going to be a tall order. If the Bills hope to take that next step and grab a wild card spot, the offense must improve. Edwards should show improvement in his second season, but it may not be enough for defenses to take the focus off of stopping Lynch. Buffalo was also near the bottom of the league in defense one year ago, but has made a serious effort to improve at weak spots. New England will be virtually unbeatable, but the Bills are fully capable of finishing second again this season and staying in the playoff race well into December.
NEW YORK JETS (7-9)If the acquisition of Brett Favre is going to do anything for the Jets, it will help them steal some of the spotlight from the Giants, something they are rarely ever to do. Even before Favre came to town, management made a conscientious effort to improve this squad after a dismal 4-12 campaign where big things were expected. Guys like Alan Faneca and Kris Jenkins are not household names since they are linemen, but they immediately will be of help. Favre has the weapons to succeed on offense, especially with Coles, Cotchery, and Jones. But which Favre will we see? The one who played like he was 25 again last season or the one who was outright terrible in the two years prior? That will ultimately determine if the Jets make a serious playoff push or not.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-11)
Bill Parcells has been known to turn around a struggling franchise or four in his time as an NFL coach, and he will be facing an uphill battle in south Florida, albeit from the press box this time. Sparano was a popular coach in Dallas, and very well could end a dark period for the Dolphins with the help of the Tuna's management decisions. I don't think we'll see this team jump from 1 win to .500 this year, but 5 or 6 wins is a reasonable goal. Pennington stabilizes the quarterback situation, and will just be asked to manage the game for a run-based offense built around Ronnie Brown, who will hopefully stay healthy. That is probably for the best seeing his injury history. There are still many holes defensively, at wideout, and on the o-line, but Miami appears to have a plan to move towards contention by 2009.
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