How refreshing.  The AFC East was deservingly (some might say surprisingly) one of the divisions that was able to attract a great deal of attention from the media and football fans alike.  The Patriots’ five-year division winning streak was snapped like an ACL, the Wildcat reached puberty, that grey haired diva sported a different shade of green (after an extended version of his classic “will I or won’t I” publicity stunt), and America felt a faint pulse of life up in Buffalo.  Though the division had one of the highest winning percentages in the league at .594, only one team made the playoffs, but made barely any noise.

Where they stood

Coming off a 1-15 season, the Dolphins managed to win 11 games, even upsetting the heavily favored Pats in the season opener.  The Pats, too, won 11 games with a strong debut performance by now Kansas City Chief Matt Cassel.  After a 2-2 start, the New York Bretts hit their stride, knocking off the Patriots in a shootout and handily beating the Titans.  Then Favre threw nine interceptions and only two touchdowns in the Jets’ last five games, ruining their season, but ensuring he would be cut so he could play for the Vikings (any buyers?).  The Bills won four games in a row before grinding to a pedestrian 7-9 to finish the season.

Where they stand

On paper, the AFC East looks to be even better than it was in 2008.  Dolphins made some good additions on both offense and defense, the Patriots are stacked on offense, the Jets may have finally found their franchise quarterback, and after all these years, the Bills have a number one receiver.  It will be interesting to see how the division plays out – the title should be hotly contested.

Team by Team Breakdown

Buffalo Bills
Terrell Eldorado Owens will now love him some him in upstate New York.  If T.O. can keep the ball off the turf, he can only help the offense.  But if the Bills want to fare better than 7-9 (how they have finished the season the past 3 years), they are going to need more creative playcalling by Dick Jauron and OC Turk Schonert (the no huddle offensive is a start), stronger, more consistent play in the trenches, and the development of younger players.  Players like Andy Levitre and first round draft pick Eric Wood are going to have to learn a new position and be productive early, especially with the departures of Peters and Dockery.  The offensive line needs to play a bit tougher, not only helping to open holes for Marshawn Lynch, but also protecting Trent Edwards.  This coming season, Edwards needs to take that big step forward (staying healthy could help).  Though his completion percentage has been good, he needs to find a way to consistently make big plays, even if it means putting a defense with a sorry pass rush back on the field.   The Bills need to score more points if they want to win.  Prediction: 6-8 wins

Miami Dolphins
While everyone had them at the bottom of their power rankings, I predicted the Fish to go 8-8 in ’08.  With their adaptation of the old single-wing offense, the Dolphins gave defensive coordinators around the league a headache…at the start of the season.  While the Wildcat saw success early, finding ways to utilize players like Patrick Cobbs brilliantly, it failed to score a rushing touchdown in the Dolphins’ final seven contests.  I am looking for Ronnie Brown, who has come out and say that he feels stronger and more explosive, to make an even bigger impact than he did last year and fix that glitch.  Miami’s passing offense should also improve with the development of Devon Bess, who should be able to beat out Camarillo for the #2 spot and Ted Ginn Jr. who is poised to have a breakout season.  I would argue that they should try to get Fasano the ball more – he scored a touchdown every five touches.  I would not sleep on the Fins’ defense either.  Players like OLB Matt Roth and DE Phillip Merling will continue to benefit from veteran leadership, improving a solid front seven.  Even if their record does not show it, this team should be better.  Prediction: 10-12 wins.

New England Patriots
If you missed seeing Bitch Tit Belichick in the postseason, fear not.  The Pats had one of the best offseasons, acquiring potential starters in the draft and hungry, impact veterans.  Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway are two guys that seem to be afterthoughts, partly due to injury, and most evidently due to age.  Fred Taylor will be great in the Patriots “run when the defense is committed to the pass” scheme, with his burst and ability to shed tackles.  Galloway is still capable of getting behind safeties and will be the deep threat that Donte Stallworth (inconceivably) could not be.  With defenses forced to watch Moss and Galloway closely, Welker will have more space underneath and more opportunities to rack up YAC.   Brady will be fine, even with a new OC.  The right (weaker) side of the Pats’ line should be good enough to keep edge rushers off the Golden Boy.  The secondary is young, but opportunistic and will be significantly helped by playing to the strengths of players like DBs Bodden, Wilhite, Wheatley, and Butler (whoever emerges), and by simply stepping on the field with a lead the majority of the time.  Ancient linebackers may see themselves replaced by Shawn Crable and my sleeper pick Gary Guyton who can play all linebacker spots in the 3-4.  Prediction: 12-14 wins and AFC East Winner

New York Jets
Rex Ryan will make the Jets into winners.  Just not this year.  On the bright side, the Jets defense will now bring different looks to the field and not be as predictable as they were under Mangini.  Are the Jets rebuilding? Are they trying to win now?  It seems like they are taking an approach that lies somewhere in the middle.  They have big question marks at WR, OLB, DE and obviously QB.  With Coles’ departure, one of the Jets’ unproven wide outs will have to step up and contribute, to help Sanchez (who won’t dominate, but will show flashes of that talent he exhibited in Southern California) as well as the three-headed running back “monster”.  Gholston, despite faint praise from Ryan and even Kerry Rhodes will struggle to fill OLB Calvin Pace’s shoes during his suspension.  New addition ILB Bart Scott should be able to manage the weakness at the linebacker position to start the season, but may not be able to do enough to help the pass rush.  DEs Marques Douglass and Shaun Ellis are likely to start the season, but may fatigue over the year and it will be important for younger linemen to share reps.  S Jim Leonhard and CB Lito Sheppard will up the competition in the secondary during training camp, but don’t be surprised if one doesn’t see time as a starter.  Prediction: 7-9 wins

Related posts:

1. Jets Go with Down and Dirty Sanchez
2. NFL Preview: NFC East Six-Pack
3. NFL Preview: AFC South
4. NFL Preview: AFC West
5. NFL Preview: NFC North Six-Pack