No one can accuse the Patriots of getting a cupcake schedule this season.
The AFC East has undergone a makeover since Tom Brady retired and the Patriots stopped dominating the division. The Buffalo Bills are the brand new powerhouse, having received the AFC East every of the final three years. The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets have made current pushes to unseat the Bills, nonetheless.
The Dolphins went 9-8 and made the playoffs beneath new head coach Mike McDaniel final season and needs to be even higher on protection with two key additions. The Jets changed draft bust Zach Wilson with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers within the league’s largest offseason improve at quarterback.
The Patriots needs to be higher too after hiring adept offensive coaches, although the division is so robust, that may not be mirrored of their report at season’s finish.
The Herald’s Patriots beat writers preview the division.
Buffalo Bills
Offense: Josh Allen has virtually single-handedly carried the Bills offense over its most pivotal stretches. Buffalo is making an attempt to alter that.
The Bills strengthened their offensive line this offseason, signed operating again Damien Harris and traded as much as draft first-round tight finish Dalton Kincaid. Buffalo desires to be extra numerous, extra threatening this yr as an alternative of asking Allen to play Superman. Expect an offense that leans extra on two-tight finish packages and runs the ball extra efficiently in apparent dashing conditions. The Bills can, and can, flip to All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs when they should (and don’t neglect a couple of potential post-hype breakout from Gabriel Davis), however that is an offense looking for its last type, and it simply would possibly get there.
Defense: If All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White returns to type, he may remodel this protection. The Bills have already got one of many NFL’s greatest cross rushes (and can as soon as Von Miller will get wholesome), linebackers (Matt Milano) and security duos. White, who tore his ACL on the finish of the 2021 season, returned to play final Thanksgiving, however wasn’t the identical. Assuming he shuts down one aspect of the sector — which he did pre-injury — Bills opponents may have a tricky time poking holes on this protection. One gentle spot, nonetheless: linebacker subsequent to Milano. The Bills misplaced high-priced free agent Tremaine Edmunds to Chicago.
Bottom line: The Bills stay division favorites for a cause. They boast the most effective quarterback, the very best ground and most well-rounded roster. Well-coached groups like Buffalo don’t backside out. Anything wanting one other AFC East title and a visit to the Super Bowl can be a disappointment.
Miami Dolphins
Offense: The Dolphins are counting on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to remain wholesome this season, which is a dangerous proposition. The former Alabama quarterback suffered not less than two concussions throughout the 2022 season and missed 4 video games. The Dolphins went 8-5 with Tagovailoa on the helm. Two of these losses got here in video games during which Tagovailoa suffered concussions. Miami went 1-3 in video games Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson began at quarterback. The Dolphins changed Bridgewater with ex-Jets backup Mike White, who was in concussion protocol till late August. The Dolphins are stacked at extensive receiver with the NFL’s quickest 1-2 punch of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Tagovailoa was one of many NFL’s most effective quarterbacks final season when wholesome. McDaniel was unable to duplicate his success with backups.
Defense: Owner Stephen Ross splurged this offseason to make sure his staff would have a greater protection by hiring Vic Fangio and making him the NFL’s richest defensive coordinator. Then the Dolphins despatched a third-round decide and tight finish Hunter Long to the Rams for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Subpar final season, the Dolphins’ protection has the potential to be dominant in 2023. Ramsey injured his meniscus early in coaching camp and is predicted to overlook a while, however the Dolphins have loads of expertise to disrupt offenses in his absence with defensive deal with Christian Wilkins, edge defenders Bradley Chubb, Emmanuel Ogbah and Jaelan Phillips, and defensive backs Jevon Holland and Xavien Howard.
Bottom line: The Dolphins might want to monitor Tagovailoa’s well being carefully and shield him nicely. Their success is determined by his potential to remain on the sector.
New England Patriots
Offense: The Patriots signed useful gamers on offense this offseason, however their most vital offseason addition got here within the type of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, who exchange Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The offense beneath quarterback Mac Jones immediately appears to be like competent with O’Brien holding the reins. Klemm’s unit will probably be examined early as guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu and offseason additions Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson cope with accidents. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster replaces Jakobi Meyers within the slot, and Mike Gesicki is Hunter Henry’s new tandem tight finish, supplanting Jonnu Smith. Add operating again Ezekiel Elliott into the combo, and this offense needs to be way more succesful in 2023 — so long as the O-line holds up, which is a giant “if.”
Defense: The Patriots made it some extent to deliver again almost each single contributor from a 2022 unit that completed as one of many NFL’s most effective defenses. The largest departure is a serious one: free security Devin McCourty retired. The plan is to idiot offenses by rotating a number of safeties into that function. It’s nice in idea and solely time will inform the way it will work in follow. Head coach Bill Belichick additionally added three potential impact-makers within the draft with cornerback Christian Gonzalez, edge defender Keion White and linebacker/security Marte Mapu. Despite all of the promise on offense, the Patriots’ protection will as soon as once more want to hold the staff in 2023.
Bottom line: There’s a cause why the Patriots are projected to complete fourth within the division: too many unanswered questions. The offense is in a lot better form this season, nonetheless.
New York Jets
Offense: Aaron Rodgers is the story. The hope. The engine driving every little thing for the Jets, however there are some things he can’t do: block for himself or catch any of his passes. As a lot as Rodgers ought to elevate New York, there will probably be a ceiling on how excessive he can take them. If the O-line struggles, because it did final yr, Rodgers and new operating again Dalvin Cook, will, too. Then there’s Rodgers’ exterior weapons, which not embody No. 2 goal Corey Davis, who retired. Get able to see a number of Garrett Wilson, a burgeoning star receiver, and Rodgers shopping for time within the pocket to both keep away from strain or assist his different targets get open.
Defense: A dominant group from entrance to again. There’s no sugarcoating it for different followers exterior the AFC East.
Sauce Gardner, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, needs to be gunning for an All-Pro spot at cornerback, particularly behind one of many NFL’s greatest defensive traces. The Jets locked up defensive deal with Quinnen Williams to a long-term extension this offseason, a smart transfer after he registered 12.5 sacks final yr. In 2022, the Jets completed high 5 in factors allowed and Football Outsiders’ opponent-and-situation adjusted metric, DVOA. Expecting a repeat isn’t unreasonable.
Bottom line: No staff was hyped extra this summer time and offseason. But don’t neglect, these are nonetheless the identical outdated J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
Source: www.bostonherald.com