NFL - AFC East Season Preview and Prediction

AFC EAST SEASON PREVIEW AND PREDICTION
 
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
 
Last Season - 17-2 (Super Bowl Champions), 441 Points For, 250 Points Against
 
Quarterback Rating - 10/10 (Tom Brady). There are now none better than Tom Brady in the history of the game, having claimed his 5th Super Bowl Ring earlier this year. Whilst he has passed age 40, and quarterbacks rarely ever produce after reaching such a milestone, Brady seems one of a kind. I find it hard to believe he can play at that level for another five years, which he says is his aim, however he definitely has one really quality season left in him. Youngster Jimmy Garoppolo is probably the best back-up in the League. 
 
Offence Rating - 9.5/10 - The team averaged over 27 points per game last season and have the potential to hit that mark, or surpass it again, this season. They have more weapons at wide receiver and, if Rob Gronkowski can get back fit, it adds another dimension at tight end. Their running game has a few questions marks, but they usually find a way. 
 
Defence Rating - 7.5-10 - The Pats’ defence quietly did a good job last year, conceding just over 15 points per game. Whilst they don't have big names, they are well coached and often handle the running game really well. 
 
Prediction - 13-3 (1st AFC East) 
 
This looks like a really weak AFC East this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats win all 6 division games. They will have a cakewalk towards the Division Title, however won’t have it all their own way against a tough AFC West and NFC South opponents. 13 wins should put them close to the Number 1 seed in the AFC and home field advantage once more. 
 
BUFFALO BILLS
 
Last Season - 7-9 (3rd in AFC East), 399 Points For, 378 Points Against
 
Quarterback Rating - 6/10 (Tyrod Taylor). Tyrod Taylor actually has decent stats the past couple of seasons for a guy that is fairly maligned. His 39 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions, with a 62% completion percentage, is highly respectable. He is also the leading rushing quarterback in the NFL, making him a duel threat.  He only averages around 220 yards a game though, so he can't hurt you with big 300+ yard games like the elite quarterbacks can. 
 
Offence Rating 7.5/10 - Last season the Bills ranked 1st in rushing offence, and 10th   in scoring overall, so they did well as a group offensively.  To average 25 points per game, Bills’ fans would have been expecting to win more games. Buffalo look to have a really strong running game again this season led by LeSean McCoy, however whether Taylor can really hurt remains a question. 
 
Defence Rating 4.5/10 - The Bills were poor defensively last year, ranking 19th as a group for yards conceded, and coughing up over 24 points per game. This was meant to be Rex Ryan’s speciality, and his failure to get this group going is what ultimately led to his firing. Lots of question marks over this group. 
 
Prediction - 8-8 (2nd AFC East, No Playoffs) 
 
I think Buffalo can exceed expectations this year without the circus that Rex Ryan brought to town. Fans had a lot of optimism the past 2 years that this team could end its 17-year playoff drought, but they once again under-delivered. I think, with a more quiet natured coach and less pressure, the Bills might be somewhat of a surprise packet this year, but ultimately lack the quality personnel to make the playoffs. 
 
MIAMI DOLPHINS
 
Last Season - 10-6 (2nd in AFC East, Eliminated Week 1 Finals). 363 Points For, 380 Points Against
 
Quarterback Rating - 5.5/10 (Jay Cutler). With the Dolphins being rocked by Ryan Tannehill busting up his knee and being ruled out for the season, they have called the much maligned, but talented, Jay Cutler off the street and out of retirement. Cutler has been a polarising figure throughout his career. Cutler has always possessed great arm strength and great talent, however his body language over the years has suggested he is not one that leads or inspires. Cutler has made the playoffs just twice in his career as a starter, with a 68 win, 71 loss record. 
 
Offence Rating - 6.5/10 - I think it’s a tough ask to get Cutler out of retirement and into the fire and get this team to where they were last season under the improving Tannehill. The Dolphins averaged around 23 points per game last year, which was helped by Jay Ajayi emerging as a potential star running back. Ajayi did lack consistency though and had some quiet games. 
 
Defence Rating – 5.5/10 The Dolphins struggled on defence for large portions of 2016, conceding an average of around 24 points per game. The Dolphins ranked 29th for yards conceded and coughed up over 140 yards rushing per game, meaning they have gauged up the middle in several games. The Dolphins have made some signings and should improve defensively. 
 
Prediction 7-9 (3rd AFC East) 
 
I'm predicting Miami to take a step backwards this year given Ryan Tannehill is out for the season. I just think Cutler is going to find it tough to come straight in and carry a side that was gelling under Ryan Tannehill. Last year, the Dolphins won a lot of close games, meaning their 10-6 might have been a little deceiving. They actually had a negative differential, conceding more points overall than they scored. 
 
NEW YORK JETS
 
Last Season 5-11 (Last AFC East), 275 Points For, 409 Points Against
 
Quarterback Rating 3/10 (Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty). The Jets have a banged up journeyman and two relatively young unknowns heading into this season. Hackenberg may get the start this year, given he was drafted by the Jets in the 2nd round last season. Whoever starts, the Jets look to have a huge amount of question marks in the most important position on the field. 
 
Offence 3/10- The Jets really struggled on offence last season, averaging around 17 points per game. Hackenberg has some young receivers and draft picks to throw to, but there are no superstars or really established players of threat. The Jets’ running game was solid last year without being dynamic. 
 
Defence 5/10 - The Jets’ defence held up ok in the first part of last season, before conceding a number of big scores later in the season. The Jets ended up conceding an average of over 26 points per game, and released Darrelle Revis in the off-season after he was really exposed last season, after a stellar career.
 
Prediction 2-14 (Last in AFC East)
 
The Jets look a mess this year to me. Todd Bowles is a proud man so I can see them managing to jag a couple of wins. However, they will be right in contention for the Number 1 draft pick.