AFC East Predictions
June 26, 2008
The AFC East Division was the laughing stock of the league last year, other than the Patriots’ perfect regular season record of course. But the 2008 season should bring more competition in this division as the Bills, Jets and even the Dolphins have improved through free agency and via NFL draft. Let’s take a look at our 2008 AFC East Predictions below.
Get your bets in now as the Patriots are listed as a 1/8 favorite to win the AFC East division. Although you will have to risk $800 just to win $100, this is clearly going to be the easiest Benjamin Franklin you have ever made. Near perfection never tasted so bitter, but Bill Belichick won’t let the Pats wallow in what might have been. The AFC East has improved, but the main components of the Patriots remains in intact for 2008. Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Randy Moss and Laurence Maroney spearhead the most explosive offense in the game. Three Pro Bowl linemen don’t get the credit that’s due, but they remain on the squad as Tom Brady keeps them playing balls to the wall every snap.
Trying to finish 16-0 clearly took its toll last year, and the Pats would be wise to avoid that kind of stress this time around. They won’t try to lose a ball game, but if it happens the Patriots will be much better off come playoff time. Rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo and rookie corner Terrence Wheatley will be asked to contribute and give some much-needed youth to New England’s defense. Tedy Brushi and Rodney Harrison are still around, but this may be their last year to try and claim their 4th Super Bowl trophy in eight years.
2.) Buffalo Bills
The Bills have spent three years rebuilding their roster under coach Dick Jauron mainly through the draft, hoping for some staying power once all the pieces fall into place. That’s a lot of youth to bank on, but Marshawn Lynch is just one of the recent draft gems that is leading this team in a good way. Their defense should be improved against the run with the addition of tackle Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville.
The Bills have drawn one of the league’s easiest schedules with only six teams that posted winning records in ‘07. Quarterback play will be key in the Bills having success on the field this season. If Trent Edwards can’t get it done, than the Bills have veteran J.P. Losman to fall back on. Edwards went 5-4 as a starter last year despite mediocre numbers at best so he’ll be given the first shot to lead this team. The Bills drafted 6′5″ receiver James Hardy in hopes of taking pressure of star wideout Lee Evans and to give Edwards a tall red zone target that they have been desperately needing for three years now. Look for the Bills to score more points this season, and finally stop the run with Stroud manning the middle of their defense, if he stays healthy of course.
3.) New York Jets
The Jets would be hard-pressed to do worse than last season’s 4-12 disaster. But the offseason spending spree by no means guarantees a drastic turnaround in 2008. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens are each on a short leash if the quarterback play doesn’t get any better this season. The pass rush figures to be better with first-round pick Vernon Gholston, who’ll convert to an outside backer in the 3-4, and Calvin Pace will be asked to at least duplicate his 6.5 sacks last season as Arizona’s middle linebacker.
Veteran left guard Alan Faneca brings stability to the offensive line, but putting free agent Damien Woody permanently at right tackle is an experiment. There’s also little depth here, but at least they Jets went out and picked up the two best free agents they could find to solidify this offensive line. But the schedule will provide a challenge four West Coast trips, including a Week 3 game at AFC West power San Diego after hosting the New England Patriots in week 2. The Jets will be better, but a Wild-Card playoffs berth will likely be out of the question.
4.) Miami Dolphins
Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano never sugarcoat anything. It’s clear this team is in need of serious repair, and these three guys won’t tell you any different. Parcells inherited a 1-15 Jets team in 1997, leading it as coach to a 9-7 record, and then a 12-4 mark in 1998. Don’t expect quite as quick a turnaround here. Parcells is building this team from the inside-out, restocking the roster with big, smart, tough, disciplined players.
A quarterback must emerge from the largely unproven trio on this roster. Several 2008 draft choices, starting with Jake Long, must become stars. For a franchise that has lacked stability since Don Shula was the coach and Dan Marino was the quarterback, at least there appears to be some sort of plan. In 2008, however, the best Dolphins fans can expect is five or six wins.