The Bills find themselves in an unfamiliar role, with the Patriots the most serious departure is not a player, the Dolphins have upgraded powerfully and the Jets are starting the next rejuvenation. The four AFC East teams in a kicker check.
Shall lead their teams to success: Josh Allen, Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, Ahmad Gardner.
The AFC East rarely stood for much excitement in this millennium. The New England Patriots were too dominant and the rest of the division too weak. But that changed at the latest with the departure of Tom Brady. Last season, the Bills, Patriots and Dolphins were only two wins apart, and all three are going into this season with playoff ambitions. But will it be as tight at the top of the division as it was in 2021? There are legitimate doubts about that…
July 29, 202201:22:25 hours
#ITK 18: NFL Preview – The AFC & NFC EAST under the magnifying glass
We’re looking into the crystal ball again! This time Daniel, Detti, Coach Shuan and Mario take on the East. What are the biggest construction sites in the AFC and NFC East ahead of the NFL’s season start? Can the Jets and Giants surprise? Will the Bills march through the division undefeated? Are the Cowboys and especially Head Coach Mike McCarthy at a crossroads? We discuss the most burning questions for each team. AFC East: from 00:04:37 NFC East: from 00:43:28 The next episode of “Icing the kicker” will be on August 11th.
Buffalo Bills (previous year 11:6): attack on the first title
What seemed unthinkable just a few years ago is reality in the summer of 2022: The Buffalo Bills are the top favorites for the Super Bowl. Not only with the bookmakers in Las Vegas, but also with a large number of US experts, the team, which has been so chronically unsuccessful for a long time, is at the top of the rankings – although last season there was a memorable offensive spectacle against Kansas City with the end in the divisional round ended. But in the offseason, the Bills have made it clear that this season they’re going to attack the first Super Bowl triumph in franchise history (losing four straight times in the finals in the early ’90s).
In Pass Rusher Von Miller came an NFL heavyweight who knows exactly how to win titles. With Miller’s signing, there’s little doubt that the roster, led by throwing quarterback Josh Allen, is the strongest in the NFL. vulnerabilities? Not really, should cornerback TreDavious White return to his usual level after tearing his cruciate ligament. If the offense can also absorb the departure of offensive coordinator and Allen whisperer Brian Daboll (now Giants head coach), it could indeed be a historic year for Buffalo.
New England Patriots (previous year 10:7): Belichick’s creativity in demand
Whether Mac Jones can ever come close to Tom Brady – unlikely. But the young Patriots quarterback proved impressively in his rookie year that the Patriots without Brady are not the Patriots without a chance. Now the intelligent but not very athletic Jones has to refute his critics again and show that he still has the potential for improvement that many had denied him before the 2021 draft. He should have at least a slightly improved receiving corps thanks to the commitment of DeVante Parker (from Miami), as well as a strong O-Line and a functioning running game.
Mentor and student: Bill Belichick (left) and Mac Jones.
Getty Images
A problem for Jones, however, could be the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to Las Vegas, which is credited with a large part of the successes of the Brady era. Coach legend Bill Belichick has to prove once again that he can find creative solutions. So does the defense, where cornerback JC Jackson (now LA Chargers) leaves a gaping gap. While the Patriots still have an experienced and well-structured roster, the star power of the past has been lost. So the potential seems limited – unless Jones turns out to be the second Brady.
Miami Dolphins (previous year 9:8): No excuses for Tua
Hardly any player is as much in focus before the new season as Tua Tagovailoa. After two years marked by injuries and fluctuations in performance, it’s time for the young quarterback: “Make or break”. The regime in Miami has properly upgraded and provided the left-hander with top-class support in the offseason: Tyreek Hill (who came from Kansas City by trade) signed the highest-paying receiver contract in NFL history, offensive tackle Terron Armstead (most recently New Orleans) is said to be Providing Tagovailoa with much-needed pass protection, new head coach Mike McDaniel (most recently San Francisco) bringing a breath of fresh air to playcalling.
For the quarterback, the time for excuses is over. If he doesn’t impress despite his excellent weaponry, improved O-Line and new scheme, his days as the team’s starting quarterback at the end of the season – or sometimes even during it – could be numbered. On the other hand, if the hoped-for jump in performance succeeds, the explosive receiving corps of Hill and Jaylen Waddle and the above-average defense around cornerback Xavien Howard should lead the Dolphins into the playoffs.
New York Jets (previous year 4:13): The next rejuvenation
One of the worst rosters in the NFL for years got another makeover this summer. The Jets had three first-round picks in the draft alone, and invested them sensibly in the three premium positions of cornerback (Ahmad Gardner), wide receiver (Garrett Wilson) and pass rusher (Jermaine Johnson). The trio should now ensure a much-needed increase in quality as quickly as possible: In five of the last six years, the Jets have finished last in the division and have been waiting for a playoff participation since 2010/11, longer than any other NFL team.
However, it seems highly unlikely that anything will change this season, because the preparation was once again suboptimal – not to say: Jets-like. Young quarterback Zach Wilson, already a question mark after a shaky rookie season, injured his knee in the preseason and may miss the start of the season, his left tackle Mekhi Becton will probably miss the entire season due to a shattered kneecap. For the jets, it can probably only be about taking another development step to end the drought phase in the not too distant future.