AFC East Status Report

With the kickoff of the NFL season now in the rear-view mirror, you have to admit one thing after last week's exciting slot of games; it's going to be another injury plagued and crazy season! 

I will make a very BOLD prediction about the AFC East at the end of this column (on Friday) and I know everyone out there will not be able to wait to read it so make sure to stay tuned! And how about the race for the AFC East! The division crown in the AFC East this year will definitely be wide open.  

With Brady going down early in the KC game, I think the Jets, Patriots, and Bills all have legitimate claims of winning the division not to mention the fins look to be improved from last years one win campaign.  Let's tackle the Patriots first.

What a difference one play can make!  I mean one second everyone and their mom's are picking New England as AFC champions and now they will be lucky to make the playoffs.  Hahaha, calm down Pats fans that was a hyperbole (google it). 

Let me first say that Brady's injury is obviously a huge blow to the team (and any scrambling fantasy owners hanging around the waiver wire and/or drowning themselves in alcoholic beverages). 

However, as much as it diminishes their Superbowl hopes, I really don't believe they will be out of the playoffs come December.  They have one of the best coaches in the game in Belichick (wow it is hard for me to admit that, being a die-hard Bills fan and all), probably the best defensive line in football, a good offensive line, Randy Moss, and some great skill position players (Welker, Hobbs, Meriweather, etc.). 

We all know that good leadership and great line play (both defensive and offensive) are the fundamentals of a good team.  At least that's what I think.  So, in those regards, I believe they will be okay because they still have plenty of veteran leadership and they are great upfront on both sides. 

The game plan might have to change though.  Don't look for Belichick to air it out  with 40 or 50 plus passes per game like with Brady.  I don't expect Bill to put that kind of pressure on Cassel this early in the season. 

Among the things he'll want Cassel to learn (at the NFL level) before he gives him the entire Brady offense are: looking off safeties, holding the linebackers with play-action, reading specific zone coverages, watching disguised and delayed blitzes, working on timing with his wide receivers, how to handle the pocket and also situations when the play breaks down (outside of the pocket). 

Without Brady, I believe Belichick will look to hit the ground running Maroney (who is underrated) more often.  Cassel has the tools (did you see that TD pass to Moss where Cassel looked off the safety just long enough?!) to make some nice throws down-field and open up the running game. 

If they are effective in grinding out long drives on the ground, then you will see some serious play action mixed in there while utilizing two of the great weapons in Moss and Ben Watson not to mention you still have Welker in the slot. 

Anyone that says the Patriots won't win nine games has a legitimate claim in my book because Cassel has not started a game since high school.  However, there was a reason he got a full ride to Southern Cal and also a reason why the Patriots' scouts were high on him and hence he got drafted. 

He would not be a Patriot right now if he didn't have the arm strength, intangibles, and physical ability to play at the NFL level...trust me on that.  Maybe that will comfort some of you Patriots fans. 

I know he won't be anywhere near Brady but my point is he won't have to be.  With Brady last year, the Patriots were undefeated going in to the Superbowl and most of the teams they beat in the regular season were completely over-matched.  Those games were blowouts. 

I believe with all the talent around him and the fact that we (the AFC East) drew the worst division in football this year (the NFC West), I think the Patriots may struggle and have many more closer games but will indeed still win ten or maybe even eleven games by seasons end. 

Don't forget too that the longer they hang around the division and win games the better they will get as Cassel gets acclimated with the starting role and facing NFL speed and defenses.  You can bet on the fact that this team will be much better in the second half of the season and may even finish strong if Cassel learns the system and style quickly enough.

The Patriots will definitely be better by week eight or nine then they are now.  Also, do you really think they won't sweep Miami and the NFC West, and steal at least one of four games against the Jets and Bills?  Right there you have seven wins.  Nothing is ever guaranteed in football but I highly doubt the Patriots won't be favored in all those games. 

Don't count on many 55-7 or 42-10 blowouts like last year though.  In the end I see the Patriots winning ten games and finishing second (a tie-break) in the AFC East and eventually losing to a team like Pittsburgh or Indianapolis in the first round of the playoffs.

Thanks for reading everyone.  If you like what you've read so far please leave me a comment or two and feel free to send me an email.  I also am an accomplished fantasy football nut and have won many leagues over the last five years so if any of you have daily fantasy questions just get in contact through email. 

I'd love to finish off this column now but let's face it...I have a full time job and It's not for the local paper (I wish!).  Next up are the New York Jets tomorrow sometime.  Thanks again and see y'all soon.