The Bills will win the AFC East division and it won’t even be close. In 2021, they had the best defense in the NFL, and it improved in the offseason with the signing of future Hall of Fame linebacker Von Miller. I expect that defense to be just as elite as last year, if not more. As strong as the Bills’ defense is, the Bills’ offense brings all the excitement. Superstar quarterback Josh Allen is already a top five QB in the NFL. He will be throwing the ball to All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and possible breakout wide receiver, Gabriel Davis. Josh Allen and the Bills will be extra motivated to make a deep playoff push this year because of their heartbreaking loss against the Chiefs during the divisional rounds. The Bills will have a solid chance to finish first in the AFC and secure the first round bye.
The runner up in this division will likely be the Miami Dolphins. An easy schedule allowed them to reach a 9-8 record in 2021 and left them just out of the playoffs. The Dolphins defense was amazing last year, and that shouldn’t change. What will change this year is their offense. They acquired arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, Tyreek Hill, and also signed the best available offensive lineman in free agency, Terron Armstead. Not to mention, they also have second-year standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. While this offense has much potential, it all comes down to how quarterback Tua Tagovailoa performs. He’s been struggling in the NFL after being selected with the fifth overall pick three years ago. This is his chance to turn around his career. It will be close because of how competitive the AFC is, but the Dolphins will probably make the wildcard game.
The team that should finish in third place is the New York Jets. The Jets loaded up in the draft and filled every position they needed in both offense and defense. This team looks promising but they are still very young, led by quarterback Zach WIlson, whom they drafted with the second overall pick last year. “I’m really expecting playoffs or bust,” Jets linebacker CJ Mosley stated in an interview with AL.com. In that case, this season will most likely be a bust. This may not be the Jets’ year but their time will come.
Finishing in last place, I predict the New England Patriots. I know what you’re thinking – they made the playoffs last year. While that’s true, they were hanging by a thread all season long, and their roster considerably worsened during this offseason. They lost their best player, cornerback JC Jackson, which will hurt them more than you might think. Also, they traded wide receiver N’keal Harry for practically nothing. Even though Harry wasn’t that great for the offense, his trade hurts the team overall because of the overall weakness of their wide receivers. While I think the Patriots will finish last, you never quite know when Bill Belichick is the head coach.
Next up: AFC North
Third Down With Devin 