Many pundits are looking for the Jets to breakout and win the Super Bowl, but I foresee them struggling to integrate all their additions and Mark Sanchez is still only a second-year guy. Tom Brady will be back and is now two years removed from a bad knee injury. Brady's numbers were great last year, but he just did not look the same as in years past. It will be running back-by-committee once again in New England, which may be a problem, but I think Randy Moss bounces back, Julian Edleman will play well until Wes Welker comes back, and Aaron Hernandez will make a big splash as a rookie tight end. The defense has been rebuilding through the draft the past two years, this year adding Devin McCourty (first round corner) and Jermaine Cunningham (linebacker from Florida) in round two. The offensive line is good but aging. If the Patriots first- and second-year players can make an impact, this team should rest atop the division.
New York Jets
How many times have we seen teams win the offseason and then struggle during the real season? The Jets have as much talent as any team in football, and on paper, adding Ladainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Brodney Pool, and Jason Taylor looks like a tremendous haul. Integrating this many veterans though, many of whom were cast off for poor attitudes, could easily backfire on Rex Ryan, a coach that tends to place his foot in his mouth daily. Still, the defense should be tenacious with a wonderful front seven boasting Kris Jenkins, Shaun Ellis, Bart Scott, David Harris, and Calvin Pace. Behind that dominant unit is perhaps an even more impressive secondary with Darrelle Revis (best corner in football), Cromartie, and first-round pick Kyle Wilson. Pool and Jim Leonhard are solid at safety. Sanchez looks promising but his QB rating was only 62 last year, and Braylon Edwards has a career-long case of the drops. Replacing the released Alan Faneca will be difficult and Holmes will miss the first four games this year.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins made a huge splash by landing Brandon Marshall, one of the most talented and productive wideouts in the game. Ronnie Brown is a very good back but must stay healthy. Ricky Williams runs hard but is aging. Chad Henne showed impressive flashes last year, but faded a bit down the stretch. I think with Brown, Marshall, and Anthony Fasano, Henne can take that next step toward stardom. The offensive line is solid with Jake Long making the Pro Bowl every year of his career. The defense is a bit of a no-name unit. Karlos Dansby joins the fold and forms a nice tandem with Channing Crowder. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith both started last year as rookie corners and should be much more comfortable moving into this year.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is in big trouble again this year with a patchwork offensive line and no definitive answer at quarterback. Trent Edwards has not been consistent. CJ Spiller is a huge talent but was probably about tenth on the Bills list of needs. Lee Evans is still a nice deep threat, and Fred Jackson is a talented and bruising running back. Terence McGee and Leodis McKelvin are a very nice corner duo, and Paul Posluzny is a good, young linebacker. Outside of those three guys, this defense has many holes. This team will be picking among the top-5 next year.
Final Standings
New England Patriots 11-5
New York Jets 10-6
Miami Dolphins 8-8
Buffalo Bills 5-11
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