AFC East Preview: Patriots aren’t a lock.
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Domination is an understatement when it comes to the New England Patriots and the AFC East. Especially when the NFL realigned divisions in 2002. Tom Brady and company have won their division 11 out of the past 13 tries. To take this whole “domination” talk to the next level, the Patriots are 61-17 against their division rivals in that span. That may all change come the 2015 season.

The AFC East is closing in when it comes to competition. Miami, Buffalo, and New York are building solid teams to dethrone the Super Bowl Champions. The Patriots aren’t helping themselves either.

Tom Brady will miss the first four games of the 2015 NFL Season due to his involvement in “Deflategate”. Bill Belichick and company have a solid foundation and a next man up system in place, but the schedule isn’t easy. Especially for second year QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who has only attempted 27 career passes. In the first four games for the Patriots, they are at home to the Steelers and Jaguars, and travel to Buffalo and Dallas. Other than Jacksonville, New England could easily be 1-3 to start the season.

Another thing hurting the four time Super Bowl Champions is the fact that their defense lost key pieces. All pro CB Darrel Revis jumped ship and is with the division rival Jets, again. Opposite field from Revis was Brandon Browner, a CB that was part of the “Legion of Boom” in Seattle a couple of years ago. Browner was cut and is now with New Orleans. Nickelback Kyle Arrington was let go and is now with Baltimore. The only piece left at the CB position for New England, is Super Bowl Savior Malcolm Butler.

A lot of action has taken place with New England’s defense, but nothing will have a bigger impact than NT Vince Wilfork heading south to sign with the Houston Texans. Wilfork may be up there in age, but he was the heart of that defensive line. Wilfork plugged the middle and forced RBs to change direction and get stopped for a minimal gain.

Let’s get back to the other three teams in the AFC East. The Miami Dolphins are loaded on offense and defense. Last years rookie sensation, WR Jarvis Landry, put the NFL on notice with his play. In this years draft, Miami selected another weapon for QB Ryan Tannehill, Devante Parker. The 6’3 Lousiville Alum had over 2,700 yards receiving to go along with 33 TDs in his four year collegiate career.

Another acquisition made by the Dolphins that really went under the radar, was the signing of TE Jordan Cameron. His numbers weren’t that great in Cleveland, but then again no player has great number in Cleveland. All joking aside, Cameron is a big, fast TE, that will surely be Tannehill’s security blanket.

The biggest of all signings this offseason was Ndamukong Suh signing with the Dolphins. Add that with a great draft on the defensive side of the ball as well, and Miami will be the Patriots biggest threat this year.

 

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Let’s turn our attention to Buffalo. The Bills are a QB away from playoff contention or even more. Their Defense was top 5 all year. Add in that the running game got even better with the trade for Lesean McCoy, and Buffalo won’t be rolling over against anybody this year.

As I said, the QB position for Buffalo is atrocious. Fourth year QB EJ Manuel might not even make the team. The position seems to be between two players, Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor. Just know whoever is under center will have it somewhat easy with second year playmaking WR, Sammy Watkins.

The third and final team is the New York Jets. Other than Miami, NewYork had the biggest and best offseason. Defensively, the Jets get back CBs Darrel Revis and Antonio Cromartie. In the draft, Leonard Williams fell right into their lap, so now they have a great pairing with Muhammed Wilkerson.

Offensively, the Jets solved everything but……the QB Position. New York traded for former Bears WR Brandon Marshall, and drafted Ohio State alum, WR Devin Smith, in the second round of the draft. Like Buffalo though, New York is a QB away from contending.

Can Geno finally step up?

Can Geno finally step up?

Geno Smith is going to be the starter again this year, and many hope he has turned the corner, but that may just be optimism. Geno had a hell of a career at West Virginia, but it never really converted to the NFL. The Jets offensive line has gotten better, and now Smith has some weapons, so maybe he will step up.

The New England Patriots have done nothing but bully the AFC East the past 13 years. Things are changing below the defending Super Bowl Champions, and it will be a change of guard sooner rather than later. The AFC East is quietly becoming the most competitive division in football, the real question is who will be on top after the 2015 regular season is over?

 

 

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