NFL 2010 Preview and Predictions: AFC East

For the next week, this blog will be dominated by football. One division will be discussed per day, with my predicted records for each team and how they'll finish. I will also post my fantasy team, which will be drafted on Sunday.

I will start with a bang in what could be the most exciting division in football. This division definitely has the toughest strength of schedule. Having to play the AFC and NFC Norths - Ravens, Bengals, Packers, Vikings, Steelers, Bears - could all result in losses for these AFC East teams. Here is how it will end up.

New York Jets: 10-6; 1st place

The Jets talk the talk and because of that, they will have plenty to prove. Reaching the AFC Championship game last year makes this season's obvious goal should be a Super Bowl win. Their road was made even more tough given the Darrelle Revis holdout. If he joins the team, they will easily take 1st place. I have them losing to the Bengals, Texans, Packers and Vikings. All four of those offenses can be shut down by Revis and result in Jet wins. I assume Revis will play, but as of now, I can't see the Jets' D shutting down those potent offenses.

The addition of LaDainian Tomlinson appears to be significant to the Jets offense. They'll definitely need him, as Mark Sanchez still needs time to mature. Having LT available to drop passes underneath will be crucial. LT seems unstoppable in his preseason games, and he will need to carry this offense until Sanchez is able to effectively pass to his top level receivers; Jericho Cotchery, Braylon Edwards, and when he returns from suspension, Santonio Holmes.

New England Patriots: 10-6; 2nd place

Correct, that is the same record as the Jets, and I actually have them 4-2 in their division. Like I said though, I expect Revis to play, so the Jets record will improve to at least 12-4. The Patriots will win a Wild Card spot. With Bill Belichick and a healthy Tom Brady running the team, anything but a postseason berth would be a failure. Even though the Jets reached the AFC Championship, the Pats were the team to win the division. This is the Pats' division until the Jets or Dolphins can pry it from Belichick's cheating little hands.

The best part about this team besides "Brady to Moss," is their linebacking unit; Derrick Burgess, Brandon Spikes, Jerod Mayo, and Tully Banta-Cain. They are all hard-hitting, aggressive players who can make a difference on that defense. Their question mark is their running game, as it is every year. Laurence Maroney has looked good in preseason and Brady throwing 50 passes per game hasn't really hurt them in the past.

Miami Dolphins: 9-7; 3rd place

The Fins are in too tough of a division, with too tough of a schedule for me to fall into picking them as a sleeper. They will be good, and continue their improvement, but will fall just short of making the playoffs. Playoffs? After losing down the stretch last season, and missing the playoffs, the Dolphins goal this year should be to steal the Wild Card from the AFC. That will not happen.

The Dolphins do have talent on both sides of the ball. On offense, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams can run the ball effectively while also causing night terrors for opposing defensive coordinators by utilizing the wildcat. Brandon Marshall could prove to be a solid acquisition if Chad Henne can get him the ball, which I'm not so sure will happen. On defense, like the Patriots, the Dolphins have a solid linebacking core, with Channing Crowder and Karlos Dansby on the inside. Like I said, they have talent, just not enough.

Buffalo Bills: 4-12; 4th place

4-12 is a despicable season, and I am probably being too harsh on this team, especially having them go 0-6 in their division. Really though, given their strength of schedule and weak team, four wins is not unthinkable. On paper, I have them beating the Jaguars, Bears, Lions, and Browns. They may be able to sneak a win or two in the division, but I doubt it.

Last year this team was wildly inconsistent, winning games, losing close games, then being blown out. They lost the distraction, but also the talent of Terrell Owens. Marshawn Lynch is returning from an injury, but drafting CJ Spiller will solidify their running game. Their passing game will be lame again, as will their defense, and having an unproven coach will lead to another disappointing season for Bills fans.


Tomorrow: AFC North