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Aug 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
In my AFC East Power Rankings, it’s easy to see why the division is a vastly different landscape than it was a year ago at this time. The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills all made major moves in the off season to try to unseat the Divisional Champion New England Patriots. Big trades, even bigger free agent signings and successful drafts highlighted the off season and dominated the news cycle.
The division promises to be an extremely competitive one this season, games will be close and hotly contested. Winning the AFC East is the preferred way to enter the NFL Playoffs, and all the teams in the division are chasing that trophy. The AFC East might very well end up being the most improved division over last year compared to everyone else in the NFL.
Let’s take a look at my power rankings and why I think each team they will finish at and why.
Next: Last Place
Jul 31, 2015; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) turns up field after catching a pass during training camp at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Last Place
LeSean McCoy joined the Bills after a big trade from the Philadelphia Eagles this past off season. He joins Sammy Watkins as a high powered offensive player on a team without a quarterback. The Bills signed quarterback Matt Cassel in the off season, presumably to replace E.J. Manuel as the starter, but things have not gone well.
Both Casssel and Manuel have looked horrific this summer and Tyrod Taylor likely offers even less long-term success. It will prove to be too much to handle for the Bills in the AFC East without having a proven quarterback capable of getting the job done week in, week out.
Rex Ryan has a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball, but once again finds himself without a solidified quarterback to open the season with. Ryan will make things miserable for opposing offenses around the league, but you can’t win anything in this league without a viable quarterback. The Bills will end the season with a 6-12 record, and Buffalo fans will be screaming for the coaches head on a block.
Next: Third Place
August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive backs Antonio Cromartie (31) and Darrelle Revis (24) during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Third Place
Many Jet fans won’t like this prediction, but I see the Jets being competitive within the division, but falling short in the end and landing in the third spot in the AFC East.
Todd Bowles is in his first season as the Jets’ head coach and he’s assembled a talented squad with the help of new general manager Mike Maccagnan. The signings of Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine and Marcus Gilchrist in the off season reworked the Jets’ defensive secondary, turning it into a force to be reckoned with for opposing offenses.
The defensive line of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Damon Harrison is among the best in the league. Drafting Leonard Williams just added to the talent along this line. Bowles likely has a top 5 defense to utilize this year.
Offensively, the big story of the off season has been the trade for Brandon Marshall. In addition to Marshall, Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley will join forces at wide receiver to try and improve the Jets’ offense from a year ago. Chris Ivory returns and along with Zac Stacy, the Jets are hoping the duo can dominate in the run game. The Jets’ offense is set to improve, but this unit remains the team’s weakness.
I’ve been predicting a 7-9 season for the Jets this season, and even if they were to prove me wrong and go 9-7, I think they will fail to catch the two top teams in the division. It will be a fun watch this season for Jet fans, but in the end, fans will have to wait until next season to make a play for a divisional championship.
Next: Second Place
Aug 29, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) drops to throw during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Second Place
The Dolphins were busy in the off season, and have quietly built themselves as a contender in the AFC East. The Dolphins made headlines this off season signing defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and for making him the richest defensive player in NFL history.
Defensively the Dolphins are a mixed bag. The front four is a good unit, and with Suh in the mix, opposing quarterback’s will need to keep their head on a swivel. The Dolphins will bring plenty of pressure to try to cover for an average secondary. The linebacker corps is good enough to get by with, and if everything goes to plan, the defense will likely take a jump forward over last season.
On offense is where the real story is at for this football team. The Dolphins went out and got Ryan Tannehill some weapons to work with. This year’s wide receiver corps is young and with the additions of Greg Jennings, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills, they might prove to be the best group in the division. The key though has been the further development of Tannehill. He showed improvement last season, but reports coming out of Miami this summer have Tannehill playing very well.
If Tannehill continues to improve through the season, the Dolphins could seriously challenge for the division title, and might even unseat the incumbent champions. I have the Dolphins going 10-6 in 2015.
Next: Division Champions
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Division Champions
Much to the dismay of Jet fans everywhere, I have the New England Patriots winning the division title once again in 2015. The Patriots have only lost the division once in the past ten years, and their dominance is likely to continue this season.
The Patriots defense took a hit this off season with the loss of Revis and almost the entire secondary as well. There is no doubt that they are not as good as last season defensively, but with some lesser signings, the Patriots have put together a patchwork secondary. The front seven remains stout for the Patriots, and this defense despite some big losses, will be good enough to keep them in and occasionally win them football games.
Offensively, the Patriots will keep on putting up points. This offense is very much the same as last season, so we know they will put points up on the board. Tom Brady will start this upcoming season as planned.
Scott Chandler joins Rob Gronkowski at the tight end position this year, and the duo promises to be extremely productive with Brady under center. As long as Brady continues to play at a high level, and the Patriots continue to provide him with weapons, the Patriots will be a hard team to dethrone.
This is not the Super Bowl Champion team that it was last season, but make no mistake, the Patriots remain the team the team to beat in the division. My prediction, Patriots go 12-4 and claim the AFC East yet again.
Next: Final Thoughts
Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Final Thoughts
The AFC will be hotly contested. The Dolphins have the best chance of unseating the Patriots this year in my opinion. The Jets have the potential to surprise, yet I don’t think they seriously push for a division title. The Bills will need to find a quarterback before their offense is taken seriously, and Rex Ryan’s defense won’t win many games without offensive points.
Those are my predictions for the AFC East for 2015. What’s your take on the state of the division? Where do you see the Jets finishing in the division? Do you have a prediction on the final record of the Jets? We here at The Jet Press want to hear what you are thinking so please leave us a comment and Let’s Talk Jet Football!!
Next: Coffee with the New York Jets: Will Jeremy Kerley make it?