AFC EAST Predictions

The preseason games are over, it is now time to make the predictions for the NFL season since we have gotten a bit of a look at these teams and what they are all about.  First off the AFC East, starting easy here as it really does not take to much analysis to say who will take this division as it has been the same for quite a while now. The Bills, Jets, and Dolphins all have young developing QBs while the Patriots have their Super Bowl winner still chilling in that position. With that being said, besides possible injuries, I think everyone knows who they should put their money on.  But lets break each team down anyway...
The Buffalo Bills, they are running into problems early. The Bills are looking to EJ Manuel at the starting quarter position. The second year QB has not looked to sharp in the preseason, as many off his passes have been going to the ground long before reaching his targets. Manuel has even been getting booed by his fans, as nobody in Buffalo has been impressed with what they have seen out there on the field. A part of his struggles may be the fact that they have already lost their young WR Sammy Watkins to a rib injury. This guy was suppose to be the main target for Manuel after the Bills deal sending away Johnson to the 49ers. With him out, the offense is going to be relying heavily on Spiller to carry that ball and get them the first downs that they do not yet have the chemistry to achieve in their offense. The Bills went 1-4 in the preseason, getting shutout in the final game showing no offensive life. I predict the Bills will go 4-12, grabbing wins only at random parts of the season against their division and maybe Oakland or Minnesota. But even with a large spread, don't count on them against teams likes New England, Green Bay, and Denver.
The Miami Dolphins have been having a pretty smooth preseason, besides a couple injuries like every other team they have escaped a good amount of that unwanted drama.  The only note is their cutting of Brady Quinn, but that has been and will be a reoccurring thing every season. Ryan Tannehill is coming into his third season and I think he is due for a break out. He improved his numbers last year and it looks like he will continue to do so in this coming season. All they need to worry about is their tough start into the season with matchups against the Patriots, Bills, and Chiefs before heading to London to take on the Raiders.  It wont be an easy start with Reshad Jones and Dion Jordan both out with suspensions.  If the Dolphins can come out of those four games with a 3-1 record then I believe they did their job and defined themselves as a team that can put up a fight. After their bye in week 5 they have a couple more tough match ups with Green Bay and Chicago next on the schedule, but they can show their offensive talent like they have going 3-1 in the preseason and attempt to push for the playoffs. I predict the Dolphins will go 8-8 and will be the next team of the AFC East when Brady's reign is over.
Speaking of Brady and the Patriots, they have looked good all preseason going 2-2 will some high scoring victories over Philly and Carolina. The only thing that hasn't gone Brady's way was the trade of  Logan Mankins to the Buccaneers.  The guard Mankins, has been a pro bowler multiple times since being the first round pick of the Patriots in 2005 and has grown a good relationship with Brady. But the Patriots were in need of Mankins to take a pay cut with their stacked roster this season. Due to his refusal, he was dealt to Tampa for tight end Tim Wright and a fourth round draft pick. With question marks still floating about Gronks health, the pick up of Wright looks to be a good move for New England even if Brady doesn't like it.  With their schedule looking to be on the easier side, I predict the Patriots to go 13-3 and easily take the AFC East home. Only Indianapolis, Kansas City, Green Bay, Denver, and San Diego look to be any kind of a threat and I bet they will beat at least a couple of them.
Finally the New York Jets have had a good amount of drama in the news mostly around their defensive back Dimitri Patterson. Patterson went AWOL for 48 hours and missed their preseason game against the New York Giants leading to his suspension for the rest of the preseason. Patterson claims it all to be false, saying his agent brought awareness about his absence. However, Patterson only played in one preseason game where he left with calf injuries. The recently signed free agent has a big history of injuries and spent most of the preseason rehabbing on the sidelines. The Jets added Michael Vick in the offseason and now look to him as a back up and mentor really for their starter Geno Smith.  The Jets look for Smith to make some big improvements, as he threw 21 interceptions last season and only 12 touchdowns. The Jets went 2-2 in the preseason, but I predict they will 3-13 as they have to face the AFC West and NFC North in their schedule, both divisions with tough teams. Rex Ryan and the Jets need to do a better job growing and developing their own players instead of bringing in veteran players such as Vick and Chris Johnson to try and solve their problems.