Again, like yesterday's post with the NFC East, I'm going to preview this division from the bottom to the top. But, my prediction is probably like most other "experts" out there. Plus, this is a two team race for the division title. You can guess who those teams are, but now, on to the picks!
Buffalo Bills
Much like the Redskins, I see nothing in this team I can truly attach myself to. Yes, Steve Johnson is becoming a pretty good wide receiver in the league, Leodis McKelvin is a pretty good defensive back, and the Bills pray there's something left in the tank with Shawne Merriman. But, I just don't see this team going anywhere in the next few seasons, other than staying in neutral and being satisfied with continually bad seasons and a mediocre quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Prediction: 5-11
Miami Dolphins
This team has some nice pieces to it, with Brandon Marshall and an up and coming Davone Bess at the wide receiver slots. Marshall was a perennial pro bowler in Denver, but was unhappy, so he got traded, unfortunately for him, to a bad quarterback in Chad Henne. Bess was part of the run and shoot offense in Hawaii, but has run routes effectively in the NFL, and could be a 1,000 yard receiving guy at some point. Then, the Dolphins signed Reggie Bush, who will be the lead back and have Daniel Thomas as the bruising 3rd down back. Thomas is primed to become the lead back at some point once Bush leaves. Then, the defense has some redeeming qualities with Karlos Dansby and Cameron Wake, who are good leaders and good cover guys when it comes to linebackers, and Vontae Davis is a pretty good cornerback, but overall, this team is incredibly mediocre to me.
Prediction: 7-9
New York Jets
The past two seasons the Jets have won one of the two wild card spots in the AFC. In 2009, they had to fight and claw their way for the playoffs, which they got in the last week. Last season, once they were killed by the eventual division champion Patriots, they could cruise into the final wild card spot with an 11-5 record. Then, in the postseason, the Jets get to the AFC title game and fail. Now, with two years of experience under his belt, the "Sanchize", Mark Sanchez can perhaps lead his team over the hump into the promised land of the Super Bowl. The Jets have all the pieces to do it, with Sanchez, a great offensive line, a very solid running game, a year in year out top flight defense now with Rex Ryan as the head coach. Now, all that needs to happen is execute in the playoffs, as I think they'll get the wild card once again.
Prediction: 10-6, number 6 seed wild card.
New England Patriots
How can I pick against the class of this division for the past decade? The Patriots just seem to keep reloading talent through shrewd trades, and amazing draft classes. Take for instance last year's draft class, which produced starters Rob Gronkowski, Devin McCourty, Brandon Spikes and Zoltan Mesko. The Patriots just reload every year. I do not see a weakness on this team, as every single player is of pro bowl quality, except for the running backs, but even then, they've got a rotation of four which they can plug in and out to keep fresh. This team is just too good for me not to pick them to win the division for the ninth time since 2001, when they had their breakout year. Now, will I pick this team to win the AFC? You'll have to find that out when I do my playoff preview on opening night!
Prediction: 13-3, number 1 seed.
Tomorrow will bring not one, but two posts. The first will be the start of my 10 best football games, and then the other will be the preview of the NFC North. Will the Packers win the division this year? Will the Bears go back to the playoffs? Will the Lions actually make some noise in the division? Will the Donovan McNabb led Vikings improve from last season's debacle? All these questions will be answered tomorrow!
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