The AFC East has been owned by the Patriots for the past 15 years, no questions about it. Simply put, the division is a cakewalk for the Patriots who get to pray on mediocre teams like the Dolphins, Bills, and Jets twice each season. However, New England not only owned the AFC East but the entire NFL multiple times, including their latest Super Bowl victory against the Seattle Seahawks. In fact they have become the evil empire of the NFL to many fans.
This year however the troops are being brought in to fight back against the throne and unseat the Patriots as division champion. After the first few days of free agency, the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets have made big moves to counter New England. For the first time in a long time this might be the most entertaining and competitive division in the NFL. So lets take a look at the battle plans for those teams.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills might be considered by many as the frontrunners to beat the Patriots out. With the addition of Rex Ryan at head coach things have changed, in a good way, if you’re a Bills fan.
Rex Ryan bought a truck with him to Buffalo, but that isn’t the only thing he customized this offseason. Before free agency even started the league was put into shock mode when we all heard about the Bills trading Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy. Then came the trade for Matt Cassel and the important resigning of pass rushing Jerry Hughes. The team also is having visits with recently released Percy Harvin and transition tagged Miami TE Charles Clay.
Bottom Line:
Rex Ryan knows how to beat New England and with the skill players he now has in Buffalo, you can expect him to lead a winner. Everyone knows Rex wants to force the ball down the opposing team’s throat and play dominant on defense. With the acquisition of LeSean McCoy and the re-signing of Hughes, Rex can worry about just coaching now. The only question mark is will Cassel be enough to play serviceable at quarterback.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins reeled in the biggest fish in free-agency this year with the huge signing of Ndamakong Suh.
Miami spent big on Suh, but the really they didn’t pay big for a free agent. Ndamakong Suh should have never been released by Detroit and is without a question one of the biggest game changers there is in the NFL today! He will join an already formidable Dolphins front line. In other news, Ryan Tannehill looks like he will keep Mike Wallace, now that he is willing to restructure his contract.
Bottom Line:
Miami is the only other team than New England without much question at quarterback after Ryan Tannehill passed for over 4,000 yards last season. Wallace looks like he will be staying after he is now willing to re-structure his contract and Jarvis Landry will be entering his second season after a standout rookie season. On the other side of the ball, Miami’s addition of Suh only adds to a solid group on defense with players like Brent Grimes and Cameron Wake. Look for Miami to really dial up tremendous pressure from all angles on Brady this year and ballhawking players Brent Grimes and Reshad Jones to capitalize in the secondary.
New York Jets
The Jets had many holes to fill and were another team to surprise us with an unexpected trade. The Jets traded late round draft picks for Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall a few days before free agency. Eric Decker like most expected didn’t pan out as the Jets #1 last year and Percy Harvin didn’t either. That’s why the Jets cut Harvin and his big contract and replaced him with one of the best receivers in the game. With inconsistent play at quarterback expected, New York will reap the benefits of a guy who can not only get open, but make plays after the catch which makes this a great fit for Marshall.
Just when you thought that the Marshall trade was big, New York started to compete with the Patriots before the season even started. On the first night of free agency the Jets stole back fan favorite CB Darrelle Revis. The Jets instantly improved their weakest position in one move.
Bottom Line:
The Jets have questions on offense, but much like Miami and Buffalo, their defense consists of one of the best lines in football and they now have playmakers in the secondary. I personally believe Todd Bowles is going to be the coach New York needs and just adds to the division fun after spending time with Miami back in the Brandon Marshall days. Although Rex is gone, Bowles still has an improved version of the same defense Rex used to roughen up the Pats.
Lasting Statement:
Tom Brady may be the best quarterback in the league and someone who many believe can do no wrong, but we all know Mr Brady doesn’t play well with people in his grill. With possibly the best 3 defensive lines in the game all in his division all I can say is this year could be very interesting. Brady has owned the castle for years, but the rebels are now at the gate…