NFL Preview: AFC East

I'll be posting NFL predictions by division, starting with the AFC East. Teams are listed in order of projected finish.

New England Patriots: After their defeat at the hands of the Colts in last year's playoffs, it was clear that Tom Brady was going to need some help if the Patriots wanted to regain their swagger. Enter Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth, and Wes Welker. These three receivers, along with the returning Reche Caldwell, give the Patriots what has to be considered the best WR corps in the NFL. Moss and Stallworth give Tom Brady deep threats like he's never had before, while Welker should be an excellent slot receiver, as well as return specialist. The offense should be extremely potent, though one potential problem is depth at running back. The retirement of Corey Dillon leaves Laurance Maroney as the primary running back, with only Kevin Faulk and rookie Justise Hairston to spell him. Maroney had a great rookie season, but that's still a lot to ask of a second-year player. Of course, this should be a very pass-heavy offense, so the real pressure lies on Brady.

On the defensive end, the primary addition was that of Adalius Thomas, who should give the Patriots a superb pass rush. The only question about Thomas is whether he was a product of the system in Baltimore and playing alongside Ray Lewis, or if he really is as good as he looked. His greatest asset is his versatility and Bill Belichick will have to use that to his full advantage. Had Thomas gone to just about any other team, there would be doubt as to whether Thomas would still be used to his full ability, but with Belichick it seems to be a foregone conclusion.

The main difference between this year's team and those of recent years is the potential chemistry issues. While the Patriots have always been very cohesive, one has to wonder whether Moss, Thomas, or even Asante Samuel will cause trouble. On paper, this is the best team in football, but a few losses could tear the locker room apart due to the intense pressure they're under. The Patriots are officially in George Steinbrenner mode. It's Super Bowl or bust.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins were extremely hyped up at this time last season, due to the addition of Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper turned out not to be healthy and Miami struggled to a 6-10 record. Also hurting them was the struggles of Ronnie Brown. The one thing they did do well was play defense, behind Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor. This year should be no different in that regard, with the addition of Joey Porter. While contract Porter received was a bit lucrative, he will improve Miami's already impressive defense.

To aid their struggling offense, the Dolphins cut Culpepper loose and traded for Trent Green. Green should be an upgrade, though it's unclear how much he can help. He is 37 and struggled last season, despite a strong offensive line and Larry Johnson to ease pressure on him. By the time the playoffs rolled around last season, it was clear that Herm Edwards had very little confidence in Green. The Colts stacked the line against Kansas City in order to neutralize Johnson, basically daring them to pass, and the Chiefs were unable to capitalize. With all this in mind, it is difficult to envision the Dolphins offense being especially potent. No major additions were made at running back, so Brown will be on his own again. First-round pick Ted Ginn Jr. should be a dangerous return man, but at best he'll offset the loss of Wes Welker.

Even with all that in mind, the Dolphins offense will be decent, if not explosive, and the defense should be top-notch. The outstanding defense and average offense should allow the Dolphins to finish as high as second in the division.

New York Jets: Eric Mangini's head coaching debut was a successful one, as the Jets finished 10-6 and made the playoffs. Chad Pennington surprised many by staying healthy and the Jets managed to find just enough of a rushing attack to be effective. The Jets defense also performed very well, but much of the credit for the team's performance went to Mangini.

While Mangini did a nice job, the team's success had more to do with one of the easiest schedules in football. The Jets had victories over Tennessee (pre-Vince Young), Buffalo, Miami, Detroit, Houston, and Oakland, with their only particularly impressive win coming in November against New England. The Jets will have a much tougher schedule this year, when they will face the likes of Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. Not to mention the usual two games against the much improved Patriots.

The addition of Thomas Jones will bolster the offense, but again much will depend on Chad Pennington's health and effectiveness. Even with Jones in the fold, Mangini will have his work cut out for him for the Jets to make the playoffs again. A 8-8 finish is more realistic.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills surprised some and managed a respectable 7-9 record last season. The defense was great, Willis McGahee was fairly productive while healthy, and Lee Evans had a very good season despite inconsistent quarterback play. It will be very hard for them to repeat that success this season.

The Bills lost two of their top defensive players, Nate Clements and London Fletcher, to free agency and traded away McGahee to the Ravens and Takeo Spikes to the Eagles. They received Darwin Walker in exchange for Spikes, but were unable to come to terms on a contract, forcing them to trade him away as well. The Bills are clearly in rebuilding mode, and they will hope to get some production from rookie Marshawn Lynch, taken with the 12th overall pick. Other notable draft picks included Paul Posluzny, who should help make up for the losses of Fletcher and Spikes, and their quarterback of the future, Trent Edwards.

If the Bills are to have any success, J.P. Losman will have to play better than he did last year, when he was unable to hold the starting job. With Kelly Holcomb gone, the job is Losman's to lose, as the team probably isn't too eager to insert Edwards into the starting spot just yet. With a reasonably difficult schedule and a very tough division, the Bills will have one of the worst records in the AFC.