Credit: NFL.com
NFL Predictions and Opinions: AFC East Edition
Published: Friday, July 19, 2024
by Ryan Nelke and Chris Heite
The summer is upon us, and that means it’s time to start talking football! The AFC East has undergone significant changes for this upcoming season, with the Jets getting Aaron Rodgers back and gearing up for a Super Bowl run, while the Patriots begin their rebuild under Drake Maye.
Buffalo lost several key pieces this offseason, including Stefon Diggs, while the Dolphins bolstered their defense with Shaq Barrett, Jordyn Brooks, and Jordan Poyer. Here’s how this year’s edition of the AFC East might pan out.
New York Jets
With the star-studded roster and championship-caliber defense Joe Douglas has put together, it was clear that this team was a quarterback away from making a Super Bowl push. Jets fans thought they would get that last year, but Aaron Rodgers lasted only four plays. Rodgers is now back, surrounded by talent on offense, including Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, and Mike Williams. With their defense, the Jets won’t need Rodgers to play at his past MVP level; he just needs to put up solid numbers weekly. If there’s ever been a time for this team to take the next step, it is now. I have the Jets winning the division with a 12-5 record.
– Ryan Nelke
The fate of the New York Jets this season relies on one man, Aaron Rodgers. Coming
off a devastating Week 1 Achilles tear, Rodgers is looking to re-establish himself
as an elite quarterback. With a 7-10 record last year, the team will certainly be
motivated to win. Besides Rodgers, the Jets have offensive studs Garrett Wilson and
Breece Hall. They also acquired wide receiver Mike Williams, adding depth to an already
solid offense. The Jets will certainly be a team to watch with their solid offense
and defense. I strongly believe the Jets will be a playoff team this year, with a
predicted record of 11-6.
– Chris Heite
Buffalo Bills
The Bills once again fell victim to the Chiefs in the playoffs last year and underwent significant roster changes this offseason. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis have departed, with Curtis Samuel and Keon Coleman entering the building, leaving Josh Allen with a widely unproven supporting cast. I can see this team starting slow for the first six weeks with a tough schedule but picking up steam later. The path back to the playoffs shouldn’t be too hard for Buffalo, but the AFC is stacked, so Allen will need to continue playing at an elite level. I predict the Bills will go 11-6 and secure the second wild-card spot.
– Ryan Nelke
There have been brighter outlooks for the Bills entering a new season. With Josh Allen,
the team will undoubtedly win games but won’t find success due to their lack of depth
on both sides of the ball. With the absence of Stefon Diggs, the wide receiver corps
is practically empty. No matter how well Allen plays, he needs players who can catch.
The team might win some tough games, but they won’t stand a chance in the loaded AFC.
I believe the Bills will finish with an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs.
– Chris Heite
Miami Dolphins
After another disappointing finish last season, Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins are struggling to shake the label of a regular season team. To be honest, I’m buying it. This team can win games in the regular season with a potent offense featuring Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, and Raheem Mostert. With a challenging late-season schedule, they need to win early. I have the Dolphins sneaking into the last wild card spot with a 10-7 record but not making a playoff impact.
– Ryan Nelke
Each year, the Dolphins give their fans hope only to crush it when the stakes are
highest. With questions surrounding Tua Tagovailoa’s capability, many are skeptical
of what this Dolphins team can do. However, I believe this will be the year the Dolphins
become true contenders. Even with Tagovailoa’s struggles, the team remains loaded
with Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, and Jaylen Waddle. The offense can score extraordinary
amounts of points, as seen last season when they dropped 70 points on the Broncos.
This has to be the year for the Dolphins, or more questions will arise. I predict
the Dolphins will finish with a 12-5 record, winning the AFC East.
– Chris Heite
New England Patriots
It’s a new era in New England as Drake Maye enters Titletown, but titles are a distant aspiration for this rebuilding team. Maye joins a team that is pretty barren on offense, with a decent backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, and a wide receiver room where the number one option is Kendrick Bourne. The New England defense is middle-of-the-pack, and unlikely to steal games. This team might not win a game until November and could be selecting first overall next April. I predict the Pats will go 2-15, finishing dead last in the NFL.
– Ryan Nelke
Patriots fans now have something to be excited about: Drake Maye. No more Mac Jones
or Bailey Zappe. The Pats may have found a solid player to lead their team. However,
I strongly believe this will be a rebuilding year. With a less-than-stellar defense
and OK offense, the Patriots will steal a few games but won’t make the playoffs. Maye
will succeed despite the pressure from a frustrated fan base. I predict the Pats will
finish with a 7-10 record, last in the division, missing the playoffs.
– Chris Heite
Projected AFC East Standings: Ryan Nelke
1. Jets (12-5)
2. Bills (11-6), 2nd Wild Card
3. Dolphins (10-7), 3rd Wild Card
4. Patriots (2-15)
Projected AFC East Standings: Chris Heite
1. Dolphins (12-5)
2. Jets (11-6), 2nd Wild Card
3. Bills (8-9)
4. Patriots (7-10)
How will the AFC East pan out this year? Find out when the NFL season begins on September
5.
Stay tuned for our predictions for the rest of the divisions, which will be released as the summer goes on!
Ryan Nelke can be reached at ryan.nelke@student.shu.edu Chris Heite can be reached at christopher.heite@student.shu.eduPosted in: sports,