Unlike the AFC West, which has turned out to be a paper tiger, the AFC East appears to be like like a professional beast halfway by way of the season.
During the previous few many years and alter, the division has usually been a one-team present, whether or not it was the Patriots for a lot of the time, or the Bills extra lately.
That’s not the case in 2022.
This yr, there could possibly be as many as three groups from the division that make it to the postseason, beginning with the Bills.
They are arguably the perfect workforce in soccer. They’re in Super Bowl or bust mode and have just about lived as much as the label.
The Dolphins?
They’re a wild card entry for the time being.
They’ve put collectively an offensive powerhouse, pairing Tyreek Hill with Jaylen Waddle.
And when Tua Tagovailoa is below heart, feeding all of the expertise round him, they’ve but to lose this season (5-0).
The Jets?
The perennial cellar-dwellers have pulled themselves out of the basement, and have a younger, promising group led by the protection. The Patriots uncovered quarterback Zach Wilson every week in the past on the Meadowlands.
He might show their deadly flaw, however they’re nonetheless going to win their share of video games down the stretch with their protection alone. They additionally maintain a wild card spot for the time being.
The Patriots, presently in final place within the division?
They have been a wild card workforce a yr in the past, however aren’t presently within the playoff combine heading into Week 9. At 4-4, although, they may nonetheless slide in, particularly if Mac Jones pulls it collectively and on the very least performs extra just like the quarterback he was a yr in the past right now.
“Other than the NFC East, name me a better division?” ESPN analyst Damien Woody stated of the AFC East lately.
He’s proper. It’s arduous to search out one.
At the outset, we have been all salivating on the considered all of the groups within the AFC West, with all the highest quarterbacks and firepower.
But that division has just about been a bust exterior of Kansas City.
“A lot of people thought Kansas City was vulnerable this year,” CBS analyst Charles Davis stated when reached Wednesday. “They’re still the one left standing out there. They’re the one you can count on.”
In phrases of the AFC East, it wasn’t outlandish to imagine groups would enhance, specifically the Dolphins and Jets, however definitely to not this diploma.
“We thought some teams might jump up, but we weren’t sure. We knew Buffalo was the clear favorite. But who was going to join them?” stated Davis. “Well, guess what? The entire division has decided to try to join them. So that part’s good.”
The means it’s shaping up, there’ll solely be one workforce from the AFC South (Tennessee), possibly one or two groups from the AFC West (KC, LA Chargers), possibly one or two from the AFC North (Baltimore, Cincinnati) and two or extra from the AFC East making it to the postseason.
With Buffalo, Kansas City, Baltimore and Tennessee on the high of their respective divisions, Miami, the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers presently maintain down the three wild card spots.
But that would drastically change over the course of the ultimate two months.
“After Buffalo, it’s wide open who the other two teams might be in the division,” Davis stated of the AFC East prospects. “Right now, I’d give the advantage to Miami, because they’re the most explosive of the three on offense.”
That stated, following Tuesday’s commerce deadline, how does it look the remainder of the way in which for the groups within the AFC East?
Let’s break it down:
Bills
Record: 6-1
Deadline strikes: RB Nyheim Hines, S Dean Marlowe
Notable accidents: WR Jamison Crowder, S Micah Hyde, CB Tre’Davious White
Remaining opponents: Jets (2), Vikings, Browns, Lions, Patriots (2), Dolphins, Bears, Bengals
Outlook: They enter Week 9 with the NFL’s stingiest scoring protection, permitting simply 14.0 factors per recreation, and an offense that’s ranked No. 2 in factors scored per recreation (29.0).
And they’ve Josh Allen, an MVP candidate, at quarterback. It’s arduous to beat that mixture.
“Buffalo is the team to beat,” stated Woody. “Josh Allen is playing out of his mind. They have a really good defense. They’re the best team in the league.”
If there was one space that wanted a bump, it was operating again. Acquiring Hines was a shrewd transfer. He’ll seemingly be used as a third-down again. He’s pulled in 235 receptions in 72 profession video games.
The Bills are additionally anticipated to get their high nook Tre’Davious White again quickly. He’s nearly able to return from ACL surgical procedure.
And one other blockbuster transfer is likely to be on the horizon because the Bills have regularly been talked about as a touchdown spot for large receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who’s a free agent, and anticipated to return from ACL surgical procedure in December.
Bills GM Brandon Beane even acknowledged probably having a hat within the ring for OBJ’s providers.
In any case, it’s arduous to beat what they have already got throughout the board.
Dolphins
Record: 5-3
Deadline strikes: LB Bradley Chubb, RB Jeff Wilson
Notable accidents: OT Terron Armstead, OG Liam Eichenberg, CB Byron Jones
Remaining opponents: Bears, Browns, Texans, 49ers, Chargers, Bills, Packers, Patriots, Jets
Outlook: Based on the strikes and urgency they confirmed on the deadline, the Dolphins should really feel like they’ll make a significant playoff run. Adding to the equation is the very fact the Fins haven’t received a playoff recreation since 2000, which occurs to be the longest drought amongst AFC East groups.
They’re clearly motivated.
While the offense has proven to be able to placing up factors, the Dolphins felt the lacking piece was on protection. Their go rush wasn’t deadly sufficient, in order that they acquired Chubb from the Denver Broncos in a deal that included a number of gamers and draft picks. Chubb is likely one of the higher home-wreckers within the league. He already has 5.5 sacks this season.
Said Davis on the Fins touchdown Chubb: “You’re chasing Josh Allen. That’s why you make that move.”
Even with Chubb, and Wilson, who was added for depth at operating again, it’s nonetheless powerful believing they’ll leap over the Bills and win the division. At the very least, they’ve bolstered their possibilities to nail down a wild card berth.
Tagovailoa says they’re taking pictures for extra.
“I think throughout OTAs and throughout training camp, we could see the potential that we had as a team, offensively and defensively,” Tagovailoa instructed reporters Wednesday. “We’re not afraid to speak about Super Bowls right here. We’re not afraid to speak about going to a playoff recreation, having the chance to go to 1, after which hopefully successful one.
“I would say I have full belief that we are capable (of winning a Super Bowl).”
Jets
Record: 5-3
Deadline strikes: RB James Robinson
Notable accidents: RB Breece Hall, WR Corey Davis, DE Jermaine Johnson
Remaining opponents: Bills (2), Patriots, Bears, Vikings, Lions, Jaguars, Seahawks, Dolphins
Outlook: They have been driving excessive till operating into the Patriots final Sunday. More to the purpose, they have been doing advantageous till Zach Wilson was uncovered by Bill Belichick’s protection.
The second-year quarterback has acquired all of the arm expertise on this planet, however can’t cease himself from throwing up miracle balls which have little to no probability. His three picks led to a Patriots win final week.
He stated through the week he realized from the expertise, all of which stays to be seen.
“In that game, even in desperation mode, I can’t be forcing the ball like that,” Wilson instructed reporters. “We have an amazing protection and I’ve acquired to maintain counting on them, permit them to place us in a very good scenario on offense.’’
As Davis stated, the Jets had an opportunity to announce themselves as a professional menace by beating the Patriots, however didn’t get the job executed thanks partly to Wilson.
Losing rookie operating again Breece Hall to season-ending ACL surgical procedure necessitated the transfer for Robinson, however the Jets are nonetheless going to overlook Hall’s dwelling run menace.
“Losing Hall was a pretty big hit. That dude could take it to the house on any given play,” stated Woody. “If he didn’t get hurt, he was probably going to be the offensive rookie of the year.”
While Robinson isn’t a game-breaker, he offers good depth on the place and is a high quality pass-catcher out of the backfield.
On the plus facet, Gang Green’s protection is excellent, and will maintain Robert Saleh’s workforce in each recreation, and within the hunt for a wild card spot.
Patriots
Record: 4-4
Deadline strikes: None
Notable accidents: DL Christian Barmore, ST Cody Davis, RB Ty Montgomery.
Remaining opponents: Colts, Jets, Buffalo (2), Arizona, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Miami.
Outlook: Back in March, Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft voiced his displeasure at not having received a playoff recreation since 2018. He was bothered at now not holding the contender label.
While the Pats acquired in final yr behind then rookie Jones, they have been blown out by the Bills of their wild card recreation.
Will they even get on this yr? That’s the million greenback query.
There have been no strikes made to bolster their possibilities. So Belichick is rolling with what he has.
The protection has run a bit cold and warm, however has been good for essentially the most half for those who take away the performances in opposition to cellular quarterbacks.
Like final yr, Matthew Judon has been a power as a go rusher and disrupter, as he’s presently tied for the league-lead in sacks with 8.5. Deatrich Wise has additionally emerged up entrance.
The offense? Or quite, the brand new offense?
Still a piece in progress. Jones lacking three video games with a excessive ankle sprain didn’t assist, however going again to a few of the tenets of the outdated offense with Bailey Zappe below heart proved useful.
With Jones now again within the saddle, it’s going to be attention-grabbing to see if he can progress, and, on the very least, get again to the shape he confirmed final season.
There isn’t a lot query that the transition has been powerful with a brand new offense, and with new coaches (Matt Patricia, Joe Judge) main the group, who had no prior expertise operating an offense.
Does that imply the Pats received’t get in? Not essentially. But Jones is clearly must play higher for the Patriots to have an opportunity.
On the plus facet, Rhamondre Stevenson is having a breakout yr as a runner and pass-catching again. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers continues to be cash on third down.
The Patriots merely want extra from the remaining to present themselves a shot.
Source: www.bostonherald.com