AFC East: A Preview of the 2012 NFL Season

Every season, the New England Patriots are considered the odds-on favorite to win the AFC East.

This season appears to be no different, not only due to the Patriots' explosive offense led by Tom Brady, but also in part to the youth and ineptitude of the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.

With Buffalo just starting to come together, the Dolphins deep into rebuilding mode, and the Jets having their whole training camp centered around two inaccurate quarterbacks, is there any team in the division that can stop the Patriots?

4. Miami Dolphins

2011 Record: 6-10

Projected 2012 Record: 5-11

Miami finally fired Tony Sparano after multiple seasons of disappointment, most of which came from the instability of the quarterback position. Chad Henne just could not stay healthy, and now the Dolphins have finally moved on from both him and Sparano.

Enter Joe Philbin and Ryan Tannehill. Philbin spent the past five seasons as the offensive coordinator of the high-octane Green Bay Packers offense, which won a Super Bowl two years ago. Tannehill is a rookie out of Texas A&M who used to play wide receiver. It's not expected that he'll start right away, but the Dolphins do expect him to start in the near future.

For now, the offense rests on the shoulders of either Matt Moore, who led the team to a 6-3 finish after starting the season 0-7, or David Garrard. Garrard missed all of last season when he was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars after preseason, and then had a herniated disk in his back. After missing out on Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, this is what Miami is stuck with. Moore has proven that he can be a good fill-in starter, but I just don't see him as a consistent starter. Garrard's back injury is a huge red flag, and should not be taken lightly. I do expect Tannehill to get some kind of playing time this season, but the opening day starting spot will more than likely be given to Moore due to his experience and finish to last season.

Reggie Bush earned his first 1000-yard rushing season after five years of not being able to do so for the New Orleans Saints. I still do not see Bush as an every down starter in the NFL, but having backs like Daniel Thomas, Lamar Miller, and Steve Slaton behind him certainly helps out that cause.

What really could end up hurting Miami offensively is the serious lack of a go-to receiver. After trading Brandon Marshall for virtually nothing, their starters look as if they are going to be Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. Bess is a good receiver in a pinch, but I don't like him as a starter, especially when he's across from Hartline who returns as the leading receiver from last season. Whomever the starting quarterback will be will probably have to rely heavily on Anthony Fasano, who caught five touchdown passes last season.

The offensive line is probably the brightest spot. Jake Long battled injury problems last season, but is usually a reliable bookend at tackle. Rookie Jonathan Martin will have to adapt to playing right tackle after spending his career at Stanford as the left tackle. The interior line looks set with Mike Pouncey coming off of a stellar year at center, and John Jerry and Richie Incognito as the guards.

Cameron Wake was re-signed, which is good news for this defense. How he responds to transitioning from the outside linebacker position to the defensive end position in this new 4-3 look is the only thing in question with him now.

Miami's starters at linebacker appear set, with Kevin Burnett to start in the middle, Karlos Dansby playing the weak side, and Koa MIsi more than likely as the strong-side linebacker.

The Dolphins boast one of the best cornerback duos in the league in Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. Not bringing back Yeremiah Bell might end up costing Miami's defense, especially since they didn't sign or draft anyone to replace him.

Overall, this is going to be a rebuilding year for Miami. Without a go-to receiver, I just don't see this offense scoring too much. A 5-11 record is being generous, and it would not shock me if they finished with the worst record in the NFL.

3. New York Jets

2011 Record: 8-8

Projected 2012 Record: 7-9

It's really sad how the once-competitive New York Jets have turned into the Tim Tebow show. Tebow isn't even the projected starter, which shows you how much of a three-ring circus this team really is. If the Jets don't make the playoffs by the way, say goodbye to Rex Ryan, say goodbye to Mark Sanchez, and possibly say goodbye to Tebowmania.

First and foremost, Tim Tebow is NOT a good quarterback. He had the Denver Broncos' offense completely catering to his unorthodox passing style, and Denver was basically a three-ring circus last season as well. He throws one pass to DeMaryius Thomas (which was honestly more of a good play from him than it was a good throw by Tebow), and everyone is singing his praises. I do expect him to get a chance to get the job from the inept Mark Sanchez, who is a very inaccurate and sloppy passer himself, and I don't expect him to wow anyone.

Losing LaDainian Tomlinson hurts the Jets a lot, because now it puts the running game solely on the shoulders of Shonn Greene, whom I am really not sold on as a starter in the NFL. Behind him you have Joe McKnight, who is an explosive runner but had injury troubles last season, and Bilal Powell, who is really unimpressive.

Santonio Holmes is very lucky not to have been traded after the way he acted out in the last game of the season last year. With not much experience at the receiver position behind him and with rookie Stephen Hill likely the No. 2 receiver, Holmes has to put his own personal wants and needs behind him in order to help his team succeed. This is especially true considering that he didn't have the best of seasons last year. Dustin Keller returns as the leading receiver from last year. The big issue with him is run blocking. If he improves in that regard, the Jets' offense will be a lot better off.

The Jets' offensive line is one of the best in the league, led by center Nick Mangold and tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Guards Matthew Slauson and Brandon Moore are very stable guards as well. The only question mark is Wayne Hunter, who had a pretty poor season last year. The Jets attempted to give him a push for the job by trading for Carolina Panthers tackle Jeff Otah, but that ended up falling through due to a failed physical. Still, Hunter must improve if he wants to keep his job.

The Jets' defensive line improved a lot with the addition of rookie Quinton Coples. Coples is a very good pass-rusher, and teamed with Muhammed Wilkerson, who had a pretty good rookie season, the Jets' pass rush will be a force to be reckoned with. Sione Pouha was definitely worth keeping with that three-year deal, as he is a force in the middle.

The biggest shock of last season at the linebacker position was Aaron Maybin. Maybin, who didn't register a single sack as a Bill, put up six sacks last season. As a whole, however, this unit underachieved, as Calvin Pace put up his lowest sack total of his career last season. Bart Scott and David Harris control the middle.

The Jets' secondary figures to be one of the best in the league, led by cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. With the addition of LaRon Landry, the secondary just got that much better. Landry must improve in coverage if he wants to help this secondary thrive, but he is a heavy hitter which will deter opposing receivers from going all out in the middle. With the possibility of Cromartie being a two-way player, nickelback Kyle Wilson may need to step in at the No. 2 cornerback position, and he should have no problem doing so.

Overall, what will hurt the Jets in the long run is the weakness of the offense. Whether its Sanchez, Tebow, Greg McElroy, Rex Ryan, or even Joe Namath starting at quarterback, this team just has very few weapons offensively. This is a make-or-break season for Ryan and Sanchez especially. Will they thrive under that pressure, or will they fold underneath it?

2. Buffalo Bills

2011 Record: 6-10

2012 Projected Record: 10-6

A lot of people are sleeping on the Buffalo Bills and for good reason. They started last season so well, but then ended up completely falling flat on their faces. This season, with the return of 21 out of 22 offensive and defensive starters, and the addition of two of the top-three draft picks from the 2006 NFL Draft, the Bills could end up shocking the world.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is on the hot seat. He had a stellar first half of the season last year, but then completely choked the rest of the year. He has a guy by the name of Vince Young on the roster, who is no stranger to taking over the starting quarterback position in the middle of a season. Throwing 23 interceptions is not acceptable at all for a starting quarterback, so if he's not more judicious with the ball, No. 10 could end up taking the starting job in the middle of the season.

Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller make up one of the more up-and-coming dual rushing attacks in the league. Both averaged around five yards per carry, so the Bills are more than capable of running the ball. They probably should run more this year to take some of the pressure off Fitzpatrick.

Stevie Johnson had another pretty good season, even with David Nelson not being the best No. 2 option out there. If Nelson steps up, or even if Donald Jones takes the starting job, expect Johnson to have an even bigger season.

Adding Cordy Glenn makes this offensive line a whole lot better. He'll more than likely be the left tackle. Adding another young guy puts the Bills in a good position, since none of their projected starters on the offensive line are over 30.

The Bills finished 27th in the league in sacks. Adding Mario Williams, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, will certainly boost this pass rush. Another underrated addition is Mark Anderson, who had a pretty good past few seasons in New England. These two should take a lot of pressure off Marcell Dareus, and the Bills pass rush will be a whole lot better.

The Bills have a pretty strong group of linebackers with Nick Barnett, Kelvin Sheppard and Kirk Morrison. Morrison rode the bench for much of last season, but finally gets his chance to return as a starter. Barnett led the team in tackles last season, and Sheppard got pretty good experience last season as well.

If Stephon Gilmore plays as well as the Bills think he can, they won't miss Drayton Florence at all. Drafting Gilmore also pushed Leodis McKelvin out of the starting lineup, but will Terrence McGee be able to rebound after being injured for much of last season? George Wilson had a decent season last year, and looks to bounce back from a shoulder surgery.

Both offensively and defensively, the Bills have too much talent to finish below the New York Jets. I doubt they beat out the Patriots for the division, but the Bills will definitely be up there contending, and will have a shot at the playoffs as well.

1. New England Patriots

2011 Record: 13-3

Projected 2012 Record: 11-5

Tom Brady is running out of time to win a fourth Super Bowl ring. Regardless, he obviously is a shoo-in Hall of Famer. Bill Belichick is probably in the same boat. One monkey that they have to get off their back is the whole "they haven't won a Super Bowl since the Spygate Controversy" deal.

Brady had another stellar year last season, and I believe he has a good two or three seasons left in him, meaning the starter-in-waiting Ryan Mallett will have a few more seasons of clipboard holding before he'll be able to start.

I have no clue why the Patriots decided not to bring back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He hadn't fumbled at all in the four seasons he was in New England, and he was reliable. Nevertheless, they have two reliable running backs in Stevan Ridley and Danny Woodhead.

The Patriots are very deep at receiver. Wes Welker is usually a very reliable receiver, although he didn't show that in the Super Bowl last season. He'll play with a chip on his shoulder this year, as will Deion Branch, who also had some key drops in that game. In addition, they have added Brandon Lloyd who is capable of starting for many teams. He more than likely will be the No. 2 option behind Welker, with Branch possibly moving to the slot. Julian Edelman may have to move to the defensive side of the ball if he wants to stay on the team. The Patriots also boast two of the best tight ends in the league in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Adding Visanthe Shiancoe could end up bringing more power to this already powerful receiving corps.

Losing Robert Gallery and Matt Light to retirement really hurts this offensive line, especially if Logan Mankins isn't ready come Opening Day. Nate Solder had a stellar rookie season, only giving up one sack, and Dan Koppen returns as the starter at center.

Mark Anderson and Andre Carter will be missed on the defensive line, as they more than likely will be replaced by rookies Jake Bequette and Chandler Jones. Jonathan Fanene and Vince Wilfork are more than likely going to be the starters on the interior.

Jerod Mayo remains one of the top linebackers in the league, and the addition of Dont'a Hightower will only help bring the Patriots' defense back to prominence. Brandon Spikes dealt with injury problems last season, but when healthy, he is one of the most vicious linebackers in the game.

If there is one glaring weakness for the Patriots, it's their secondary. They finished 31st in passing yards allowed despite getting 23 interceptions as a team. Devin McCourty has to play a lot better than he did last season, or this unit will be in trouble. Ras-I Dowling returns from injury, and he could push Kyle Arrington for the starting job.

Overall, as good as New England is offensively, losing Green-Ellis will hurt them, and so will the secondary. They certainly will win the division over Buffalo, but I just don't see them pulling out a Super Bowl berth this season.