AFC East: Can Any One End Patriots Streak

The rest of the AFC East made some huge adjustments in the off season to try and compete with and end the dominance of the New England Patriots.

The Jets went out and traded for future hall of famer Brett Favre.

The Dophins brought in Parcells to use his magic and turn the team around.

The Bills look to continue improving as they did to close the season in 2007.

New England Patriots

The defending champions of the division, and the AFC, look to continue their domination of the East in 2008.

Last year the Pats went 16-0 during the regular season and finished 18-1 with a shocking loss to the hands of the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. On the way to the 16-0 regular season, the Pats completely dominated their division out scoring the teams 229-76.

The only close game was the week 15 match up when the Jets lost 20—10 to the Pats.

The Pats really did not do much in the offseason, their biggest move being resigning Moss to a long term deal. Other then that, they brought in aging free safety John Lynch, and ex-Raider LaMont Jordan.

At quarterback of course is Tom Brady.

Brady had a amazing season last year, breaking Peyton Mannings record for touchdowns with 50 while throwing only eight interceptions during the regular season.

During the playoffs, his stats seemed to drop off a bit however; he only recorded six scores with three interceptions.

This was a direct result of the offensive line allowing teams to get to Brady.

He went from being sacked 21 times in the regular season (16 games) to being sacked eight times in three playoff games, including five times in the Super Bowl.

The line is a huge problem this year as they have allowed teams to continue to get pressure on the quarterbacks. If Brady really has a issue with his ankle, the coaching staff has to do something to make sure the line holds their blocks.

If Brady goes down, the back ups are less then reliable as they proved all preseason.

At running back is the returning Laurence Maroney. As the Pats got pass happy during the season, Maroney's stats went down as his reps got cut. However, he still managed to gain 835 yards and 6 scores including one in the Super Bowl.

At receiver, of course, is Randy Moss. Moss had 98 catches last year with an NFL record 23 scores, reviving his career after a terrible stint in Oakland.

At the other receiver spot comes back the short, but speedy Wes Welker. He caught a career high 112 catches with 8 scores in 2007, as he proved a great number two receiver with his speed and allusiveness. As teams doubled Moss, Welker would find the seems in the coverage and make up for Moss's coverage.

The defense is the question mark on this team.

They are made up of old vets who, in the Super Bowl and so far in the preseason, look slow and unable to pursue.

The offense will score points, but the defense will have to be able to slow teams down, which they have not yet done in four preseason games.

The line is led by Richard Seymour who is entering his eighth NFL season. He recorded 23 tackles and one—and—a—half sacks in a injury plagued season in 2007.

He is joined by nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who gobbled up 48 tackles and two sacks last season. In the playoffs though, he seemed to run out of steam on long drives and has to be on the field for this defense.

At the other end is Ty Warren, who had a decent 2007 with 53 tackles and four sacks.

Only recording seven—and—a—half sacks last year, the line has to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as well as give their defensive backs some relief.

At linebacker, only one change has occurred.

Out is Junior Seau and in steps rookie Jerod Mayo from Tennessee. He looks to be a fast, hard hitting backer, but has struggled to make plays so far in the preseason. When he finally gets over this, he will be a great line backer for the Pats.

In the middle is long time Pat, Tedy Bruschi. He had a very solid 2007 recording 92 tackles and two sacks, but was not very effective in the Super Bowl.

On the outside returns Mike Vrabel, who recorded 77 tackles and twelve—and—a—half sacks last year. He has a great nose for the football and is around almost every play.

Playing opposite of Vrabel for his second season in New England will be Adalius Thomas. His numbers dropped a bit from his Baltimore Ravens days, but he still had a very solid year finishing with 78 tackles, six—and—a—half sacks and one interception. He provides the defense a very solid and reliable outside backer.

Now, onto the hardest hit part of this team in the off season: the defensive backs.

Out is Asante Samuel (to the Philsdelphia Eagles) and Randall Gay and in steps Fernando Bryant (69 tackles and twp interceptions) and Ellis Hobbs (63 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception).

This unit will miss the likes of Samuel, who recorded many interceptions for this team over the last few years (22 in last 75 games).

The safeties see a returning Rodney Harrison, who recorded 68 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 pick last year, and James Sanders who finished with 71 tackles and only 2 picks.

The secondary will have to get more take aways to be efficient this year. The Pats will not go 16-0 again this year, but will win the division at least for one more year with a 12-4 record. Dont be surprised, however, if the team struggles  and teams pile it on to repay them for 2007.

Buffalo Bills

This is a very interesting team in 2008.

Trent Edwards came in last year and played decently with seven scores, but eight picks in just 10 games under center.

Fighting with him for the starting job is J.P. Losman, who did not have a good season in 2007 recording four scores and six interceptions.

Edwards will most likely win the job heading into the regular season.

At running back returns rookie stand out Marshawn Lynch, who recorded 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns. He provides the offense a fast weapon and will take the pressure off of whoever winds up being the quarterback.

The receivers will have to play better this year.

Lee Evans looks to have a big year in 2008 after a 55-reception, five-TD season in 2007, which was a disappointment after a great 2006.

Joining him on the other side is Josh Reed who brought in 51 grabs but failed to find the end zone.

The third receiver will be Roscoe Parrish who had 35 grabs with only one touchdown.

The offense needs to put points up to stay competitive this season, especially in a toughening East.

The defense brings back linemen Kelsay Williams and Aaron Schobel, the best player on the line from 2007. He recorded 57 tackles and six—and—a—half sacks last season for the Bills.

Buffalo went out and traded for Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville. He brings with him a tough run stopping force, but only has 22 sacks dating back from his rookie year in 2001.

The line needs to get to the quarterback more often with a quarterback-rich division with Favre and Brady.

At linebacker stands the ex-NY Giant Kawika Mitchell, who brings his leadership and 76 tackle, three—and—a—half sack and one INT stats to a young defense. He will provide the leadership that has been missing since Takeo Spikes left in 2005.

With him stands former Penn State stand out, Paul Posluszny. He recorded 26 tackles in his first NFL Season.

He is joined by the leading tackler from 2007, Angelo Crowell. He had 126 tackles, one sack and one INT in 2007. This could be one of the top LB corps in 2008.

This team opens up with two very tough games against Seattle and Jacksonville then get a break with their next two against rebuilding teams.

They should go into the bye 2-3 at the worst and should finish the season 9-7 and contend for a possible wild card game. I do not see this team beating New England, yet.

NY Jets

This team finished the biggest deal in NFL history during the off season, bringing in the future hall of famer Brett Favre to give them a quarterback.

They released Pennington, who later signed with the Dolphins.

Brett brings with him a leadership and a championship attitude that will help this young Jets team mature quickly, while helping young Kellen Clemens mature as well.

Brett will be throwing to Jerricho Cotchery (82 catches and two TDs), Coles (55 grabs and six TDs), and Wallace Wright, who looks to have a break out year in 2008.

The running back position has Thomas Jones (1,119 yards and one score) and Leon Washington (353 yards and three TDs). They should be a very good one-two punch for the Jets.

Favre will get this offense moving, but he can not take the stupid chances he did in Green Bay that cost the Packers some games (including the NFC Championship game).

The offense will be a very improved unit with the addition of Alan Faneca at guard. He brings the leadership and discipline to the offensive line that it was lacking. He will help protect Brett.

On defense, Shaun Ellis will need to greatly improve his numbers from a 2007 season in which he only grabbed 49 tackles and five sacks.

Joining him on the line is Kris Jenkins, coming over from the Carolina Panthers. He is a very physical nose tackle who will stuff the run for the Jets. He improves the defensive line greatly.

Finishing off the line at the other end is Kenyon Coleman, who had a great 2007 finishing with 83 tackles and one—and—a—half sacks.

The line has the potential to be a great unit who can get after the quarterback.

At linebacker, Calvin Pace comes over from Arizona with his 98 tackles, six—and—a—half sacks, and one INT season in 2007. He is a very solid tackler and a great upgrade.

Joining him is Eric Barton, who started 15 games last year for the Jets finishing with 73 tackles and two sacks and one pick.

David Harris brings 127 tackles and five sacks with him at the other backer spot for a very good bunch of backers, definitely the strongest part of the defense.

The Jets begin the year facing Miami, then New England in week 2 facing and San Diego in week 3.

Don't be surprised if the Jets beat the Pats in a huge Week 2 upset. I think that they will be able to pass on the Pats defense and, if the Pats' offensive line has not picked it up, Brady could be on his back.

The Jets finish the season very much improved at 9-7 and could just miss out on a playoff spot.

Miami Dolphins

This team has no where to go but up after a 1-15 2007 season.

In the offseason, Bill Parcells came in and basically cleaned house, bringing in Tony Sparano to lead the team.

Parcells has turned every team he has been with around and made them playoff teams; should do it again here eventually, but this will not be a fast turn around.

They brought

At quarterback the Dolphins have a lot of talent this year wiof th the new additions Chad Pennington and Chad Henne from Michigan, something they could not say in 2007. Only one quarterback remains from the 2007 team that finished 1-15; John Beck, who finished last year with one TD and three INTs in four starts with the Dolphins.

Pennington brings the leadership and the intelligence to lead Miami and improve their offense right away. He will win the starting job unless he gets hurt again. His downfall has been injuries, as he has only played one full season for the Jets, in 2006 and has had several surgeries to his shoulder.

He will be handing off to Ronnie Brown, who is looking to bounce back from a injury shortened 2007 where he only picked up 602 yards and four scores in only seven games. If he is back at full strength that will help this team greatly and make the offense a threat.

He is backed up by Ricky Williams who, since 2005, has only played in one NFL game, which was last year against the Steelers in which he picked up 15 yards before hurting himself.  If Williams gets healthy then he could be a very good compliment to Brown.

At receiver the Dolphins have second year player in Ted Ginn Jr. (34 catches and 2 scores) who showed flashes of being a good player in 2007, to go along with Ernest Willford from Jacksonville (45 catches and 3 scores).

The offensive line is anchored by rookie Jake Long from Michigan, who will be a very tough run blocker.

The leader of the defense will be Joey Porter, who begins his second year in Miami.

In 2007, Porter had a good year finishing with 65 tackles, five—and—a—half sacks and two INT and looks to continue raising his game in 2008.

Will Allen returns at left corner with his 62 tackles, two sacks, and one INT.

At right corner, Michael Lehan returns with his 57 tackles, one sack and one pick in his break out season. This will be his second season as a starter in Miami.

On the line Jason Ferguson comes over from Dallas with his tough run stopping mentality. He will provide Miami with a upgrade on the line.

Joining him will be Vonnie Holliday (42 tackles and two sacks), Matt Roth (44 tackles and two sacks), and a rookie from Clemson in Phillip Merling.

The Dolphins schedule has them starting against nine teams who could be in the playoff hunt; if they come out of those nine games at 2-7, it would be a accomplishment especially since it would surpass their 2007 win total.

The teams they play at the start of the season have too much fire power and Miami is not strong enough just yet to compete.

To finish the season, the Dolphins should go 4—3, since it is a weaker part of their schedule and finish 6-10 and be very much improved in Parcells first season.

AFC EAST PREDICTION

New England 12-4

NY Jets 9-7

Buffalo Bills 9-7

Miami Dolphins 6-10