AFC East Preview

Here's what I predict for the AFC East

New England Patriots 13-3
New York Jets 8-8
Miami Dolphins 6-10
Buffalo Bills 4-12

New England Patriots - If Tom Brady and to a lesser extent Laurence Maroney remain healthy - then the Patriots finish the season with the best record in the AFC. If Tom Brady or to a lesser extent Laurence Maroney get hurt - then the Patriots turn into the Bengals with a better defense. Tom Brady staying healthy for the season is not a given. The offensive line for the Patriots is the real question mark and Pats fans can only hope that the coaching staff employs max protection schemes much more this year than in the past to help keep Brady from getting creamed on a regular basis.

The Patriots have perhaps the best defensive line in football. Many critics have pointed out the advanced age of the linebackers as a potential trouble spot but these critics ignore the fact that the defensive live will do a good job of keeping blockers off the linebackers and that linebackers in a Belichick defense rely as much on their smarts as physical ability. The Patriots have the most savvy group of linebackers in football.

Many fantasy football fans are high on Laurence Maroney but before you draft him too high consider that many of the goal-line carries may actually go to fullback Sammy Morris who could turn into a poor man's Mike Alstott.

New York Jets - It's hard to imagine that Chad Pennington is going into his 8th pro season. Where did the time go? By now, however, what type of player Pennington happens to be has been made clear. He's a QB who does not make many mistakes but who does not possess the strongest of arms. I get the feeling that Pennington won't last the season without getting hurt though. The Jets don't have much of a running game and I think the defenses they face will be blitzing Pennington on most of the plays.

Bodog has the over / under for the Jets pegged at 8 wins. I think that number is spot on.

Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins let Wes Welker walk and sign with the Patriots and they then turned around and drafted Ted Ginn Jr. The universal reaction was "WTF?" I half -hope Brady Quinn turns into the next Dan Marino just to screw with the Dolphins.

Trent Green is one of the most likable players in the NFL and if any QB in the NFL knows how to run an offense that has a good running game but replacement level receivers - its Green who had that same situation in Kansas City. Even if Green has a good season - I still don't see the Dolphins doing better than 6-10.

Buffalo Bills - I covered the Bills earlier. I see them going 4-12.