NFL Season Prediction: AFC East

If there was a division that was easier than the others, it would have to be the AFC East, with a decade of Patriot dominance.

AFC East:

Patriots: Even with the losses of Aaron Hernandez, Gronk (for part of the year), and Wes Welker the Patriots offense will be a force this year. After all what would those three players be without the two men behind it all, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. That duo has won Superbowls before and they don't need the most talented weapons because of the nature of Tom Brady. The defense should be mediocre to slightly above mediocre and the offense with new (formerly lackluster, soon to be star) Danny Amendola, will score enough to take the Pats to 11-5 and the AFC East Championship. 

Dolphins: The most improved team in the division is easily the Dolphins. Fans are hopeful that they have finally found the heir-apparent to Dan Marino in Ryan Tannehill, although that is not guaranteed. The loss of Dustin Keller takes the Dolphins from a week by week TE advantage to scrabbling to find a pass-catching option, but other offseason moves have this team set for wins. Mike Wallace, Dion Jordan, Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheller, and Brent Grimes significantly bolster this starting rotation, but as in the case with the Patriots, it all comes down to the man under center. Ryan Tannehill must not hit a sophomore slump in order for the Dolphins to have any form of success and as the Overly Optimistic Fan I am inclined to say he will. 10-6 for the Dolphins and a wild card berth. 

Jets: I suppose it is a surprise to see the Jets not in last place, but although every one loves to rag on the Jets, including myself, they won 6 games last year and are not the worst team in their division going into 2013. They did well to replace a recovering Revis with a cheaper Milliner, and Chris Ivory could be a help at tailback. The theme of the AFC East is the quarterback, and the Jets have not found theirs. Geno Smith is in regression before he's had a chance to start and we all know about Mark Sanchez's strange attractions to butts (sorry cheap shot), and that is what is going to be the reason the Jets lose double digit games again this year. The season will consist of switching quarterbacks and Rex Ryan's seat getting uncomfortably hot, maybe even leading to a firing near the end of the season. All in all the Jets go 5-11 and miss the playoffs for a second straight year. 

Bills: Lastly, a familiar sight in the AFC East cellar. The Bills actually seemed to be significantly improving over the last two years, and even signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to a long term deal hoping he was the one, but alas he was not. With Fitz gone the Bills reached for an athletic but raw and ill-prepared quarterback in EJ Manuel, and lay their hopes in Kevin Kolb, the backup wonder from three years ago. Mario Williams has been disappointing after a big contract, and all is not well in upstate New York. CJ Spiller is the lone bright spot, but unfortunately for the Bills they are running a real NFL team, not a fantasy one. 1200 yards and 6 touchdowns from Spiller won't be enough to carry this team to any better than a 4-12 mark this year, and rebuilding the Bills will continue.

Best Player In Division: For a division that contains one of the best QBs and running backs in the game, I am going to look to the other side of the ball for this award. Cam Wake for the Miami Dolphins may not be super well known but he has been dominating the NFL for three years now and with Dion Jordan running from the other side, Wake is due for 20 sacks this year. He breaks out as the best pass rusher in the game in 2013.

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