AFC East Preview

[JetNation]

The AFC East race hasn’t been too competitive in quite some time. The New England Patriots have captured 10 of the past 11 and 11 of the past 13 AFC East titles behind their one big constant: Tom Brady. With Brady entering the twilight of his career and the rest of the teams getting younger and more talented, the Pats’ dethroning is near. But, because he is Tom Brady and because he’s still the quarterback, it’d be hard to pick the Jets, Dolphins, or Bills over the Uggs spokesperson just yet.

1. New England Patriots, 10-6: It’s hard to not focus on Brady too much because he has the potential to become the undisputed greatest QB of all time with another ring and he has one giant obstacle in his way in the Denver Broncos, but the truth is, over time, this team has become so much more than just Brady. The three-headed rushing attack of the lead back, Stevan Ridley, the change-of-pace back, Brandon Bolden, and the “Joker,” Shane Vereen, has turned New England into a power-running team. Heck, that offense even made LeGarrette Blount (no longer with the team) a star. These guys will be a headache for whoever they play, but the real key is the receivers. Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski are both big-time targets – if they can stay healthy. Julian Edelman was Brady’s only consistent and healthy target last year, and that wasn’t enough to make it to the Super Bowl. A lot is riding on the development of Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson. On the other side of the ball, the front seven has always been fearsome. Vince Wilfork and Rob Ninkovich are still there, but it’s young guns like Chandler Jones and Jerod Mayo that really add some bite to the Pats’ D. Of course, the biggest upgrade is Darrelle Revis at corner, and if he stays healthy, this defense could be one of the best in the game. Injuries hurt New England last year, but they hurt everyone. It’s hard to say just how far this team will go, but with great coaching, the addition of Revis, and, of course, Brady, a sixth AFC East championship should be in their future.

2. New York Jets, 9-7: Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL, but for the Jets, the decision they make in that area could very well be the difference between playoffs and hitting the golf course. Geno Smith, despite his barrage of turnovers, played well last year, and led an offensively inept New York team to eight wins. However, if Gang Green wants to play extra football, they’ll need Michael Vick to start and stay healthy. Vick is simply a better QB at this stage of the game with loads of experience. He’ll also have a flurry of new weapons, including Eric Decker from Denver, Chris Johnson from Tennessee, and Jace Amaro from the draft. A lot will depend on how well these players play in their new roles, but they are no doubt upgrades. Decker goes from being the third or fourth Bronco mouth to feed to having to deal with the opposing team’s top corner every game. Johnson will have it a little easier, staying fresh by splitting carries with Christopher Ivory and Bilal Powell and continuing the Jets’ tradition of a strong ground game. That will help Vick a lot, who will make the offense more diverse with his arm and his legs. Defensively, it’s all about the secondary. Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson are going to be very disruptive, among other names. However, Dee Milliner, who struggled in his rookie year, is going to have to be the team’s No. 1 corner, while Calvin Pryor, the team’s first rounder this year, will likely start at free safety. A young and unexperienced secondary is going to need to have a lot of pressure taken off of them by the pass rush. Last season, at 6-8 and out of the playoffs, the Jets had a decision to make: finish the season out strong, win the last two games, and preserve Rex Ryan’s job or mail it in, go 6-10, and see Ryan on the unemployment line after season’s end. They chose the former, which is a good sign for the locker room atmosphere. It’s also another reason why, as a wild card, the New York Jets have a very real shot to return to the playoffs.

3. Miami Dolphins, 7-9: Despite all of the controversy surrounding Jonathan Martin and Richie Icgonito, Miami had a good shot to make the postseason. However, if they want to actually get there, they’ll need Ryan Tannehill to make the leap. Tannehill has performed better than many expected when he was considered a reach as eighth overall in the 2012 draft. After throwing for nearly 4,000 yards last year, Tannehill might ready to break out, but aside from his two deep threats in Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, he’s someone short on targets. The Knowshon Moreno experiment is going to be a barometer for this team. While Moreno has been fantastic the past year or so, part of that may be because he was in a Peyton Manning-led offense (and had good health). Moreno has to prove himself to be a true lead back in Miami and stay on the field. The Dolphins D is a solid group, led by the vicious Cameron Wake on the front four, as well as Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler in the middle. However, the big free agent acquistion was Cortland Finnegan, who will team with Brent Grimes to make one of the more scrappy and difficult corner tandems in the league. Overall, the Fins are solid, but somewhat vanilla. Tannehill has the cannon to get the ball to Wallace and Hartline, but unless we see a big development from him this season, as well as from other players, Miami fans might just be counting down the days until basketball season (if LeBron stays in South Beach, of course).

4. Buffalo Bills, 5-11: The excitement surrounding Sammy Watkins in Buffalo is real, especially when one thinks what kind of tandem him and E.J. Manuel can become in three years (or less). But there will be growing pains for both players this season, especially since the Bills made the head-scratching trade of Stevie Johnson, when he could have been both a mentor and a partner for Watkins. Expect Watkins to excel, especially with some help from offseason acquisition Mike Williams, but the best is yet to come. Head Coach Doug Marrone also has to figure out the best ways to utilize the talents of C.J. Spiller. Fred Jackson is an adequate back, but Spiller is far too big of a playmaker to not be getting more touches. The defense was a bright spot for Buffalo last year, thanks to Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, and rookie Kiko Alonso. Their production, combined with the development of Stephon Gillmore and the experience of Leodis McKelvin, should make the Bills D an area of strength once again. Getting Watkins was huge, especially for the development of Manuel. However, this wasn’t a one-year fix, and the postseason is still a whiles away for Buffalo fans.

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[Larz]

I'm kinda worried about the bills.  they are super fast on offense

[Jetlife33]

Pats: 11-5

Jets: 9-7, WC

Phins: 8-8

Bills: 6-10

[Patriot Killa]

I'm kinda worried about the bills. they are super fast on offense

We have the two fastest 40 yard runners ever on our team. And EJ blows. If our corners can handle them even to an extent the rest of it is watching spiller. They do have players though.

[Go Jets77]

NE 11-5/12-4 ... Too good, again. They've been the best in the div and a top 5 team for over a decade. They've only increased the gap with the additions they made. Their offense is bringing back guys that gained experience. Plus some decent additions through FA/draft. That defense looks scary and top 5-10.

Plus still the best coach in the game, best QB/Coach combo

 

Miami 7-9/8-8 Too many holes to compete. That defense looks awful. Oline is 80% new. Albert is always hurt. depending on 2 rookies. That will take longer than a year. Bad coach

 

Buffalo 6-10/7-9 New DC, Lost best or 2nd best player on the defense. CB's are just average. Without all those sacks from pressure they had last year they wont be as good. EJ is still the QB.

 

Jets 6-10/7-9

[Jetlife33]

I'm kinda worried about the bills. they are super fast on offense

The Bills don't scare me in regards to them challenging for a playoff spot, but they scare me against the Jets. Jets need to take care of bills and fins, it's a must.

[Go Jets77]

The Bills don't scare me in regards to them challenging for a playoff spot, but they scare me against the Jets. Jets need to take care of bills and fins, it's a must.

 

I think that's the problem though. If you look at our schedule it's filled with teams that are clearly better than us ( GB, Broncos, Pats ), better than us ( Chi, Pitt, SD, KC ) and just as good ( Det, Buff, Mia, Oak ). There are no teams that we can say were better than. Plus the fact that we're not a good road team doesn't help. Esp when 3 of our last 4 are on the road. I honestly think 8-8 would be a huge feat for us this year.

[Jetlife33]

I think that's the problem though. If you look at our schedule it's filled with teams that are clearly better than us ( GB, Broncos, Pats ), better than us ( Chi, Pitt, SD, KC ) and just as good ( Det, Buff, Mia, Oak ). There are no teams that we can say were better than. Plus the fact that we're not a good road team doesn't help. Esp when 3 of our last 4 are on the road. I honestly think 8-8 would be a huge feat for us this year.

I agree about being a poor road team, I think a lot of that was because of the O-Line last year, I've posted here more than once that the O-Line simply didn't travel well last year. I personally think the Jets are better than Oak, Buff, and even Mia. And yes there are teams better than us such as GB and Denver as well as the Pats, but the Jets held their own against New England last year and beat teams no one thought we could ever beat this time last year, i.e NO and ATL. Jets won't challenge for the Division but I truly believe they are a WC team in 2014.

[Go Jets77]

I agree about being a poor road team, I think a lot of that was because of the O-Line last year, I've posted here more than once that the O-Line simply didn't travel well last year. I personally think the Jets are better than Oak, Buff, and even Mia. And yes there are teams better than us such as GB and Denver as well as the Pats, but the Jets held their own against New England last year and beat teams no one thought we could ever beat this time last year, i.e NO and ATL. Jets won't challenge for the Division but I truly believe they are a WC team in 2014.

 

Agreed about the oline on all parts.

 

If you're being objective and I know it's tough being a jet fan. The jets are not better than any team on the schedule this year. The Jets spilt with both Buffalo and Miami last year. And I suspect it'll be the same this year. You could argue Buffalo made more improvments than us and has more talent.

 

Again being objective, we beat the Pats when they we're decimated with injuries and on a foolish call. We don't beat them if their healthy, but injuries happen. NO is known as a different team when their out of the dome. A very different team. And Atlanta is a soft team that imploded with injuries as well.

 

I hope we do compete for a WC but have serious doubts. Obviously things change but as of right now I don't see us a top 6 team. Den/Pats, SD/KC, Pitt/Cinci/Balt, Indy are all ahead of us.

[jgb]

"Geno Smith, despite his barrage of turnovers, played well last year, and led an offensively inept New York team to eight wins."

So did he play well or ineptly?

[pfilippone]

 

If you're being objective and I know it's tough being a jet fan. The jets are not better than any team on the schedule this year. The Jets spilt with both Buffalo and Miami last year. And I suspect it'll be the same this year.

Not being a psychic, I have no idea how the Jets will do this season. I may be wearing green and white colored glasses when I say this: it appears on paper the Jets have improved offensively, and not declined defensively. Sure they have a tough schedule. But the Jets should still be fun to watch. I'm not expecting a Super Bowl season, but the playoffs are not out of reach either.

[Lizard King]

The Pats D didn't get insanely better. They still don't have a pass rush.

[#27TheDominator]

If you are being objective, why are Detroit and Oakland "just as good"? 

[Ken Schroy]

NE 11-5/12-4 ... Too good, again. They've been the best in the div and a top 5 team for over a decade. They've only increased the gap with the additions they made. Their offense is bringing back guys that gained experience. Plus some decent additions through FA/draft. That defense looks scary and top 5-10.

Plus still the best coach in the game, best QB/Coach combo

 

Miami 7-9/8-8 Too many holes to compete. That defense looks awful. Oline is 80% new. Albert is always hurt. depending on 2 rookies. That will take longer than a year. Bad coach

 

Buffalo 6-10/7-9 New DC, Lost best or 2nd best player on the defense. CB's are just average. Without all those sacks from pressure they had last year they wont be as good. EJ is still the QB.

 

Jets 6-10/7-9

6-10/7-9 ??

Your a tool.

[Go Jets77]

The Pats D didn't get insanely better. They still don't have a pass rush.

Not so sure about that. The defense as a whole has gotten a whole lot better. They've improved in every unit.

 

If you are being objective, why are Detroit and Oakland "just as good"? 

How aren't they just as good? We overachieved last year big time. Our point diff was one of a 5-11/6-10 team. We might haved improved in some areas but have a whole lot of questions in many others.

 

1) Our secondary and linebacker corp look awful right now. Rex didn't fix them last year and we don't look any better this year.

 

2) Our oline has major issues and it wasn't exactly top tier last year.

 

3) Geno is our QB.

 

4) Rex is our coach.

 

5) Both teams are just as talented and play in tougher div's. then us.

 

6) Look at schedule. It's brutal. We probably have the toughest first 10 games in the entire league.

 

Look I'm not saying their better. I'm just saying we could lose those games and it wouldn't be a shock at all.

 

6-10/7-9 ??

Your a tool.

 

And your a homer

[Greenseed4]

I agree with the above ^^^

Our biggest defensive question mark is in the secondary, and having unknowns/injureds manning the CB2 spot across from a first-time (and injury prone) CB1, doesn't bode well for a schedule that sees the passing attacks of the NFC-North (Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago, and to a much lesser extent Minnesotta), nor the AFC-West (Denver, KC, San Diego, and Oakland).

Supposing Milliner can replicate the performance of his last four games, and cover the WR1 of our opponents (a big "if"), the responsibilities of covering the WR2 is going to be the deciding factor of a lot of games. And if Milliner isn't playing (or playing to his current expectations) we'll have the same concerns at both corner spots. Which will expose the entire defense.

The key to killing the Jets this year will be through the air. This can be a good thing for us (if the lightbulbs go on, and we're able to create turnovers) or the horrific undoing of our young defense.

[#27TheDominator]

How aren't they just as good? We overachieved last year big time. Our point diff was one of a 5-11/6-10 team. We might haved improved in some areas but have a whole lot of questions in many others.

 

1) Our secondary and linebacker corp look awful right now. Rex didn't fix them last year and we don't look any better this year.

 

2) Our oline has major issues and it wasn't exactly top tier last year.

 

3) Geno is our QB.

 

4) Rex is our coach.

 

5) Both teams are just as talented and play in tougher div's. then us.

 

6) Look at schedule. It's brutal. We probably have the toughest first 10 games in the entire league.

 

Look I'm not saying their better. I'm just saying we could lose those games and it wouldn't be a shock at all.

 

Could lose?  Sure we could lose to the Raiders, but we also beat the Saints and Pats last year.  Which player makes you so scared of the Raiders?  Matt Schaub or Derek Carr?

[billo83]

You’re not being objective, IMO but rather pessimistic. The Jets aren’t better that the Raiders? Seriously? I love how you excuse the Jets beating the Cheats and Atlanta because of injuries to those teams, yet never mention that the Jets were missing their best WR in Kerley during a playoff run (not to mention the fact that their WR’s were inured all year), nor any mention about losing their best pass rusher in Barnes early in the season.

I will also mention for the 1,000th time around here that the Jets did not win the Cheats game because of a foolish penalty, rather that the Cheats were let back into the game because of a worse phantom PI call. You can’t say you’re being objective by mentioning one and not the other.

quote name="Go Jets77" post="2502652" timestamp="1402874557"]

Agreed about the oline on all parts.

If you're being objective and I know it's tough being a jet fan. The jets are not better than any team on the schedule this year. The Jets spilt with both Buffalo and Miami last year. And I suspect it'll be the same this year. You could argue Buffalo made more improvments than us and has more talent.

Again being objective, we beat the Pats when they we're decimated with injuries and on a foolish call. We don't beat them if their healthy, but injuries happen. NO is known as a different team when their out of the dome. A very different team. And Atlanta is a soft team that imploded with injuries as well.

I hope we do compete for a WC but have serious doubts. Obviously things change but as of right now I don't see us a top 6 team. Den/Pats, SD/KC, Pitt/Cinci/Balt, Indy are all ahead of us.

[jgb]

We have the two fastest 40 yard runners ever on our team. And EJ blows. If our corners can handle them even to an extent the rest of it is watching spiller. They do have players though.

 

if you think EJ "blows," how do you feel about geno?

[Bergen Jet]

I think that's the problem though. If you look at our schedule it's filled with teams that are clearly better than us ( GB, Broncos, Pats ), better than us ( Chi, Pitt, SD, KC ) and just as good ( Det, Buff, Mia, Oak ). There are no teams that we can say were better than. Plus the fact that we're not a good road team doesn't help. Esp when 3 of our last 4 are on the road. I honestly think 8-8 would be a huge feat for us this year.

 

You left out Minnesota and Tennessee...  Think we are better than both of them, Buffalo, Miami and Oakland...

[Go Jets77]

You’re not being objective, IMO but rather pessimistic. The Jets aren’t better that the Raiders? Seriously? I love how you excuse the Jets beating the Cheats and Atlanta because of injuries to those teams, yet never mention that the Jets were missing their best WR in Kerley during a playoff run (not to mention the fact that their WR’s were inured all year), nor any mention about losing their best pass rusher in Barnes early in the season.

I will also mention for the 1,000th time around here that the Jets did not win the Cheats game because of a foolish penalty, rather that the Cheats were let back into the game because of a worse phantom PI call. You can’t say you’re being objective by mentioning one and not the other.

quote name="Go Jets77" post="2502652" timestamp="1402874557"]

Agreed about the oline on all parts.

If you're being objective and I know it's tough being a jet fan. The jets are not better than any team on the schedule this year. The Jets spilt with both Buffalo and Miami last year. And I suspect it'll be the same this year. You could argue Buffalo made more improvments than us and has more talent.

Again being objective, we beat the Pats when they we're decimated with injuries and on a foolish call. We don't beat them if their healthy, but injuries happen. NO is known as a different team when their out of the dome. A very different team. And Atlanta is a soft team that imploded with injuries as well.

I hope we do compete for a WC but have serious doubts. Obviously things change but as of right now I don't see us a top 6 team. Den/Pats, SD/KC, Pitt/Cinci/Balt, Indy are all ahead of us.

 

Dude the season is over. We can admit we won on a foolish call much like the TB game. It's more than obvious. The W isn't going to be taken back. And again they were killed with injuries last year. Them , the broncos and Packers were killed. If the Pats were healthy I have a hard time seeing us staying within 10 points. And they got a lot better on both sides of the ball this year. If their healthy we have no shot. Sorry just my opinion and many others even if their afraid to admit it.

 

Oakland, Buffalo proved to be very competeive teams last year and only got better as well. Same as Tenn and Minne. And those games are back to back road games. How good a road team have the jets been under Rex? That last month is a tough stretch and thats by far our easiest part of the schedule. Again things change who knows who will be injured but as of right now its tough finding more than 6 wins.

 

And comparing JK to the injuries of other teams is just crazy. The Pats lost Gronk, Amendola, Wilfork, Kelly, Dobson, Solder and Talib for good stretches. That would be like us losing Mo, Sheldon, Cumberland, Cro, Brick etc. Now they went to the AFCCG. A game away from the SB. I doubt we win 4 games if we lost that many key guys. Again just being objective here. I'm done with getting my hopes up with this team. They need to show it. A team that has as many div titles as the Jags needs to prove it on the field before we hand them 10-11 wins every year like we've been doing. I swear I feel like a sucker some times supporting them and cheering my heart out only for an 8 win season.

[Go Jets77]

if you think EJ "blows," how do you feel about geno?

 

Exactly but most want to believe that Geno is somehow better lol? Its crazy. They think EJ is going to break out and we think Geno is going to break out. Meanwhile every serious objective fan is laughing at us both. Hopefully he does but I have serious doubts about a kid that lost 5 straight games in college and couldn't complete more than 10 passes in a pass happy league.

[jgb]

Exactly but most want to believe that Geno is somehow better lol? Its crazy. They think EJ is going to break out and we think Geno is going to break out. Meanwhile every serious objective fan is laughing at us both. Hopefully he does but I have serious doubts about a kid that lost 5 straight games in college and couldn't complete more than 10 passes in a pass happy league.

 

for the record i think they both blow

[Patriot Killa]

if you think EJ "blows," how do you feel about geno?

EJ had a worse rookie year then Geno. Plus he couldn't stay healthy. You annoy me because this is a given... anyone who paid attention even half the season could of told you that.

[jgb]

EJ had a worse rookie year then Geno. Plus he couldn't stay healthy. You annoy me because this is a given... anyone who paid attention even half the season could of told you that.

 

oh gee i annoy you. enjoy the back of the line. i believe it is somewhere in north dakota.