Miami Dolphins Look To Win AFC Consecutively For First Time In 24 Years

In 2007, the New England Patriots bested the Miami Dolphins by 15 games. It took only one year for the Dolphins to close the gap.

In 2008, the Dolphins and Patriots each won 11 games, and won on each other's home field. Miami won the division due to a better record against conference opponents. A true changing of the guard, perhaps not. But it's the Dolphins, not the perennial power Patriots, who come into the 2009 season as defending AFC East champs.

The key word: defending. It will be tough for Miami to win consecutive division titles for the first time since 1985.

In Foxboro, the Patriots hope a healthy Tom Brady can put them back not only on top of the AFC East mountain, but back in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in nine seasons.

The Jets are without the currently-retired Brett Favre, but that might prove to be addition by subtraction. Once 8-3 last year, the Jets stumbled down the stretch, finishing 1-4 due largely to an injured, ineffective Favre.

New Head Coach Rob Ryan will hope to capture the same magic with Mark Sanchez he enjoyed with Joe Flacco a year ago.

Let's see, who's left in the division?

Oh yeah, Buffalo. Two words.

T.

O.

Histrionics aside, Terrell Owens figures to give Trent Edwards a consistent threat opposite Lee Evans. Despite losing Marshawn Lynch for the first three games to suspension, the bills figure to have a dynamic offense.

But what about the Fish? Their success may well ride on the right arm of Chad Pennington. In 2008, Pennington was masterful. 3,653 yards, and a 19-7 TD-INT ratio.

That's the good news for Miami fans.

Then there's the other end of the spectrum. History suggests Pennington will not be able to back up his stellar 2008 campaign.

Pennington has never played in more than ten games in back-to-back seasons. He's thrown for more as many as 2,000 yards in consecutive years only once. Pennington's numbers from 2004-07:

2004: 13 GP, 2,673 yards, 16 TD 9 INT

2005: 3 GP, 530 yards, 2 TD 3 INT

2006: 16 GP, 3,352 yards, 17 TD, 16 INT

2007: 9 GP, 1,765 yards, 10 TD, 9 INT

If Pennington can't stay on the field, it will likely be up to second-year man Chad Henne to fill the void. Defensive masterminds Bill Belichick, Dick Jauron and Ryan would no doubt smack their lips at the thought of an untested backup taking over the defending division champions.

But if Pennington can defy the odds laid against him by his own career, the Dolphins should be poised to make another championship run.