AFC East Preview
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Prediction: 12-4 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: While the Patriots can't improve upon (and won't repeat) last year's 16-0 performance, Belichick & Co. are certainly more concerned with improving upon their 0-1 performance in the Super Bowl. Tom Brady and Randy Moss will have strong years in 2008 again, but I expect both to retreat from the record-setting levels they attained last year. The Giants showed the rest of this copy-cat league the blueprint for success against the Patriots: rush the passer. Last year, Tom Brady threw the 2nd most passes in the NFL behind Drew Brees. This season I expect the Patriots to establish a stronger running attack. Their offense will still put up points, but their biggest question mark is their secondary? The Jets and Bills will be better in 2008 and the Dolphins will be...well, the Dolphins, but the AFC East is still clearly the Patriots division.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Patriots could win 100 games in the decade by week 10 (their 9th game of season). They have the most victories this decade with 91.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 99-157 (.387)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): at San Diego, at Indianapolis, vs Pittsburgh, at Seattle
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 38 wins (12.7 per season)
NEW YORK JETS
Prediction: 9-7 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Jets did a lot in the off-season to improve their team, most notably add the NFL's all-time passing leader and last year's MVP runner-up Brett Favre. However, before the last-minute trade, the Jets improved themselves by adding projected starters All-Pro Alan Faneca and Damien Woody to the offensive line as well as Calvin Pace to LB corps. In the NFL Draft, the Jets added 2 athletic freaks with their first 2 picks: Vernon Gholston from Ohio State and Dustin Keller from Purdue. I expect the additions to the O-Line and the iconic QB will allow Thomas Jones to reverse his downward trend: 2005 (1335 yards, 4.3 ypc, 9 TDs) to 2006 (1210 yards, 4.1 ypc, 6 TDs) to 2007 (1119 yards, 3.6 ypc, 1 TD).
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Jets have alternated between 4 and 10 wins during the past 4 seasons. After winning 4 games last year, they are due for 10 wins this year, right?
Strength of Schedule: 2007 Opponents were 117-139 (.457)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): vs New England, at San Diego, at New England, at Tennessee, at Seattle
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 18 wins (6 per season)
BUFFALO BILLS
Prediction: 8-8 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Donte Whitner has put the pressure on the Buffalo Bills with his guarantee: “Do I expect us to make the playoffs? I’m guaranteeing it.” Although the Bills have the potential to be even better, 8-8 is where I expect them to finish. Leodis McKelvin gives them a playmaker on special teams and in the defensive backfield. James Hardy is a big target that should take off pressure on Lee Evans and be very productive in the redzone. Marshawn Lynch is arguably one of the 10 best RBs in the NFL. At the time we went to press (always wanted to say that), however, Jason Peters, the Bills' Pro Bowl Left Tackle, still hasn't reported and his appearance is not imminent. In the deep AFC, the Bills will just fall short of making the post-season in 2008. But the good news is they are headed in the right direction...and I don't mean Toronto.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Bills haven't had a 100-reception WR since 2002 when Eric Mould caught 100 passes.
Strength of schedule: 2007 opponents were 115-141 (.449)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): vs Seattle, at Jacksonville, vs San Diego, at New England, vs New England
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 19 wins (6.3 per season)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Prediction: 4-12 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: I have confidence that The Tuna will turn around the mess he inherited in Miami. He helped turn around the Cowboys organization by assembling a team that many consider to have the most talent in the NFL. On the other hand, the Dolphins (i.e., Parcells) traded away their best player (Jason Taylor) for two draft picks (2nd-rounder in 2009 and 6th-rounder in 2010). On offense, their starting QB will be Chad Pennington, who was waived by the Jets. Their RBs will be Ronnie Brown (injury question mark) and Ricky Williams (all-around question mark) although many believe Williams will have a big comeback year (haven't we heard that before?). Their best WR is Ted Ginn Jr., arguably the worst selection based on value in the 2007 NFL Draft, but he should provide more production in his sophomore season. Their O-Line will be better with #1 overall pick Jake Long, but the Dolphins are (at least) a year away before playoff possibilities can be discussed.
Interesting Stat/Fact: Although the 'Fins won only 1 game in 2007, they lost 3 points in 6 different games.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 119-137 (.465)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): at New England, vs San Diego, vs Seattle, vs New England
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 16 wins (5.3 per season)
Check back for other 7 division previews, playoff predictions and post-season award predictions to be released this week...
Prediction: 12-4 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: While the Patriots can't improve upon (and won't repeat) last year's 16-0 performance, Belichick & Co. are certainly more concerned with improving upon their 0-1 performance in the Super Bowl. Tom Brady and Randy Moss will have strong years in 2008 again, but I expect both to retreat from the record-setting levels they attained last year. The Giants showed the rest of this copy-cat league the blueprint for success against the Patriots: rush the passer. Last year, Tom Brady threw the 2nd most passes in the NFL behind Drew Brees. This season I expect the Patriots to establish a stronger running attack. Their offense will still put up points, but their biggest question mark is their secondary? The Jets and Bills will be better in 2008 and the Dolphins will be...well, the Dolphins, but the AFC East is still clearly the Patriots division.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Patriots could win 100 games in the decade by week 10 (their 9th game of season). They have the most victories this decade with 91.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 99-157 (.387)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): at San Diego, at Indianapolis, vs Pittsburgh, at Seattle
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 38 wins (12.7 per season)
NEW YORK JETS
Prediction: 9-7 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Jets did a lot in the off-season to improve their team, most notably add the NFL's all-time passing leader and last year's MVP runner-up Brett Favre. However, before the last-minute trade, the Jets improved themselves by adding projected starters All-Pro Alan Faneca and Damien Woody to the offensive line as well as Calvin Pace to LB corps. In the NFL Draft, the Jets added 2 athletic freaks with their first 2 picks: Vernon Gholston from Ohio State and Dustin Keller from Purdue. I expect the additions to the O-Line and the iconic QB will allow Thomas Jones to reverse his downward trend: 2005 (1335 yards, 4.3 ypc, 9 TDs) to 2006 (1210 yards, 4.1 ypc, 6 TDs) to 2007 (1119 yards, 3.6 ypc, 1 TD).
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Jets have alternated between 4 and 10 wins during the past 4 seasons. After winning 4 games last year, they are due for 10 wins this year, right?
Strength of Schedule: 2007 Opponents were 117-139 (.457)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): vs New England, at San Diego, at New England, at Tennessee, at Seattle
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 18 wins (6 per season)
BUFFALO BILLS
Prediction: 8-8 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Donte Whitner has put the pressure on the Buffalo Bills with his guarantee: “Do I expect us to make the playoffs? I’m guaranteeing it.” Although the Bills have the potential to be even better, 8-8 is where I expect them to finish. Leodis McKelvin gives them a playmaker on special teams and in the defensive backfield. James Hardy is a big target that should take off pressure on Lee Evans and be very productive in the redzone. Marshawn Lynch is arguably one of the 10 best RBs in the NFL. At the time we went to press (always wanted to say that), however, Jason Peters, the Bills' Pro Bowl Left Tackle, still hasn't reported and his appearance is not imminent. In the deep AFC, the Bills will just fall short of making the post-season in 2008. But the good news is they are headed in the right direction...and I don't mean Toronto.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Bills haven't had a 100-reception WR since 2002 when Eric Mould caught 100 passes.
Strength of schedule: 2007 opponents were 115-141 (.449)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): vs Seattle, at Jacksonville, vs San Diego, at New England, vs New England
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 19 wins (6.3 per season)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Prediction: 4-12 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: I have confidence that The Tuna will turn around the mess he inherited in Miami. He helped turn around the Cowboys organization by assembling a team that many consider to have the most talent in the NFL. On the other hand, the Dolphins (i.e., Parcells) traded away their best player (Jason Taylor) for two draft picks (2nd-rounder in 2009 and 6th-rounder in 2010). On offense, their starting QB will be Chad Pennington, who was waived by the Jets. Their RBs will be Ronnie Brown (injury question mark) and Ricky Williams (all-around question mark) although many believe Williams will have a big comeback year (haven't we heard that before?). Their best WR is Ted Ginn Jr., arguably the worst selection based on value in the 2007 NFL Draft, but he should provide more production in his sophomore season. Their O-Line will be better with #1 overall pick Jake Long, but the Dolphins are (at least) a year away before playoff possibilities can be discussed.
Interesting Stat/Fact: Although the 'Fins won only 1 game in 2007, they lost 3 points in 6 different games.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 119-137 (.465)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): at New England, vs San Diego, vs Seattle, vs New England
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 16 wins (5.3 per season)
Check back for other 7 division previews, playoff predictions and post-season award predictions to be released this week...
