2010 AFC East: Best Division in Sports?

Buffalo Bills

2009 Finish: 6-10 (2-4 Division) – Last in AFC East

Points Allowed: 326 (9^th in AFC)

Points Scored: 258 (14^th in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: WR Terrell Owens, WR Josh Reed, DE Aaron Schobel, LB Chris Draft, TE Derek Fine, OG Richie Incognito,

Key Offseason Additions: RB CJ Spiller, DT Dwan Edwards, LB Reggie Torbor, DT Torell Troup, DE Alex Carrington, LB Andra Davis, OT Cornell Green

2010 Outlook: The Bills did very little through free agency and instead focused heavily on drafting depth for the defensive line. They stole CJ Spiller in the draft, who will quickly pass Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson on the depth chart. The potential of their three-headed monster backfield is overshadowed by weaknesses at WR, where Lee Evans is the only viable option, as well as at quarterback. Buffalo failed to improve on one of the worst QB carousels in football, instead opting to stick with Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who sported a 69.7 QB rating in 2009. Their inability to shore up the passing game only takes away from the potential of the offensive backfield, and puts more pressure on an already over-worked defense. Buffalo was 30^th against the run last year, and although they finished 2^nd against the air attack, they had no answer for the likes of DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson, Ricky Williams, or Jamaal Charles. Facing Ryan Grant, Adrian Peterson, MJD, and Ray Rice (to name a few) only worsens their chances this year, and they will be hard pressed to win six games again. The won't likely upset the Jets or Dolphins again, will go win-less in the AFC East, and really only have cupcake games against Detroit and Cleveland.

Prediction: 4-12 (0-6 Division)

Miami Dolphins

2009 Finish: 6-10 (4-2 Division) - 3^rd in AFC East

Points Allowed: 390 (14^th in AFC)

Points Scored: 360 (7^th in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: LB Joey Porter, LB Reggie Torbor, DE Jason Taylor, FS Gibril Wilson, WR Tedd Ginn Jr.

Key Offseason Additions: LB Karlos Dansby, OG Richie Incognito, DT Jared Odrick, OLB Koa Misi, WR Brandon Marshall

2010 Outlook: Chad Henne got a much needed weapon when the Fins traded for Brandon Marshall. With a healthy Ronnie Brown and the emergence of Davone Bess and Brian Hartline, the passing attack and overall offense looks much healthier going into 2010. The defense is a whole different story. Miami was 24^th against the pass and 18^th against the run in 2009, problems they hope to address through the additions of Dansby, Odrick, and Misi. Mediocre pass rushing and the inability to capitalize on turnovers caused the defense to spend too much time on the field, and also forced the Fins to overpay for Dansby. Odrick will have a lot on his shoulders as he attempts to bolster the pass-rush, but in the end it comes down to the young defensive backfield and how much they can improve. The young DB trio of Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, and Will Allen have ample amounts of potential, but have yet to break out in the form of stardom. Only because of a bolstered offense will Miami win more contests this year.

Prediction: 9-7 (3-3 Division)

New York Jets

2009 Finish: 9-7 (2-4 Division) - 2^nd in AFC East, Lost AFC Championship to IND

Points Allowed: 236 (1^st in AFC)

Points Scored: 348 (9^th in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: OG Alan Faneca, RB Thomas Jones, DB Justin Miller, FS Brodney Pool, CB Lito Sheppard, RB Leon Washington, S Kerry Rhodes, K Jay Feely

Key Offseason Additions: DE Jason Taylor, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, RB Joe McKnight, WR Santonio Holmes, QB Mark Brunell, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Kyle Wilson, OG Vladimir Ducasse, FB Jon Conner, K Nick Folk

2010 Outlook: Nothing needs to be said about the NFL's best defense in 2009, except that they may have gotten better. Jason Taylor, Cromartie and Wilson add speed, youth, depth, and veteran experience to an already stellar defense. The Jets probably lost 5 games that should have gone the other way last year, losing the division only due to early losses against Miami and Buffalo. Their run-first offense is bolstered by Tomlinson, granted he has something left in the tank, and Shonne Green enters his first season as the primary work horse. The WR corps is upgraded once Santonio Holmes returns from his suspension, and if Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery can fill his void in the mean time, then Mark Sanchez will remain the only question mark in the offense. With a QB prone to mistakes, a tougher schedule, and a super-team with egotistical question marks, New York should find both success and failures this season.

Prediction: 11-5 (4-2 Division) AFC Wild Card, Lose in Divisional Playoffs

New England Patriots

2009 Finish: 10-6 (4-2 Division) – AFC East Champions, Lost Wild Card Playoff to BAL

Points Allowed: 285 (3^rd in AFC)

Points Scored: 427 (2^nd in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: LB Adalius Thomas, DE Jarvis Green, TE Ben Watson, P Chris Hanson, CB Shawn Springs

Key Offseason Additions: TE Alge Crumpler, TE Aaron Hernandez, TE Rob Gronkowski, DT Gerard Warren, CB Devin McCourty, LB Brandon Spikes, P Zoltan Mesko

2010 Outlook: Both the holdout and injury bug have already hit New England. Logan Mankins is preparing for a lengthy holdout, crippling the Pats offensive line. Ty Warren is lost for the season, the secondary is just as questionable as a year ago, and nothing changed at running back. The season could go one of two ways. The Patriots could flourish (as usual) on offense, hiding defensive weaknesses. Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Tom Brady should all excel as they have their entire careers. The young tight end duo is something the Patriots have lacked for almost a decade, and so far they have only impressed in the pre-season. One of the running backs MUST step up and solidify himself as the starter, as Maroney has been unable to do so. Fred Taylor is the most likely, if he can stay healthy, which Sammy Morris will not. The performance of the Patriots defense ultimately will decide their fate. Gerard Warren and Mike Wright step in to fill Jarvis Green and Ty Warren's shoes. The OLB combo of Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess is at best mediocre, as the Patriots were one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the game in 2009. The secondary should only improve with another year under the belts of youngsters Meriweather, Chung, Butler, Wheatley, and Wilhite. The most exciting part of the New England squad is the pair of inside linebackers, Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes. 24 and 22 years old, respectively, if both play to their potential and stay injury free, they will combine to be one of the most important defensive duos in the NFL. But depending on rookie linebackers is a big if. In the end, because of the loss of Warren and Mankins, the Patriots are almost the same team as 2009 talent-wise, but younger. And a younger team only means they can be volatile, either missing the playoffs or repeating as division champions. Some may call me bias, but there weren't enough changes in the AFC East to call for a shift in powers. The Patriots should take advantage of an easier schedule and win 11 games, taking the division through a tie-breaker from the Jets. They'll win the Super Bowl out of pure thirst for another.

Prediction: 11-5 (5-1 Division) AFC East Champions, AFC Champs, Super Bowl Champs