2015 NFL Season Preview
AFC East
Aug 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Of course I have to start with the AFC East, since it holds the Super Bowl Champion Patriots.
Last year was a relatively easy one en route to another division title for Brady, Belichick, and others cruising to 12-4 record.
This season won’t be as clear cut.
The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and yes, even the New York Jets, have improved.
In lue of the Deflategate outcome, Tom Brady will be suiting up for Patriots this season.
A good sign for New England, considering backup Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t play all that well in the preseason.
With a healthy Gronkowski, their offense will be near the top of the NFL despite a running game situation (Blount suspension, Gray released).
The Bills have the best defense in that division, and with the addition of LeSean McCoy and a new head coach in Rex Ryan, the Bills could make some noise.
The Bills have not won the AFC East in 20 years.
The Dolphins are the most interesting team in this division.
Ryan Tannehill, entering his fourth year, is becoming a solid NFL quarterback.
Tannehill, Lamar Miller, and Jarvis Landry are all still young and have explosive talent.
The biggest signing the Dolphins did was Ndamukong Suh, formerly with the Lions.
He is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side and will look to crush the opposing quarterbacks of the AFC East.
Then there’s with the New York Jets.
Well, they lost Geno Smith for awhile when a former teammate sucker punched him in the jaw and broke it.
The Jets did add Brandon Marshall and Darelle Revis, two veteran players that will need to step up and prove the Jets are not a joke.
At the end of the day, I still see the Patriots winning the division, possibly another 12-4 record, with Dolphins, Bills, and Jets rounding out the AFC East.
Next: AFC North