NFL
Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots: AFC East preview for the 2023 NFL season
The Bills start as favorites to win the AFC East crown, but they will have a battle with Rodgers’ Jets and Tua’s Dolphins.
The countdown to the start of the season is nearly over. The NFL campaign will kick off on Thursday, 6 September, with the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions. So, with preseason information locked, I thought I’d dig into what I’ve seen and bring you a preview of the AFC division. Let’s go...
Josh Allen with the pressure mounting
For several years now, the rivalry between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes has replaced the Manning vs Brady showdown for many fans. However, the Buffalo Bills quarterback and Sean McDermott’s team have left many questions unanswered and have failed to reach the big game. They’ll have a fresh opportunity this year, where once again they are considered favorites in their division.
Buffalo traded Devin Singletary, who moved to the Houston Texans, for Damien Harris, who was the running back for the New England Patriots, so he’s already familiar with the division. Furthermore, they’ve added a pass rusher of Leonard Floyd’s caliber, who alongside Von Miller, could create a formidable defensive front that would be daunting for opposing offenses.
Nevertheless, Buffalo’s team must contend with the pressure of being favorites, as they have a burden to bear after being exposed by the Cincinnati Bengals in last year’s AFC Divisional Round. Buffalo is well aware that they need to respond.
“The closer you get, the more obligated you feel to win a Super Bowl. So we’ve been close for three straight years, so everything’s good now, you know what I’m saying?” Diggs told Matt Harmon of Yahoo Sports at Radio Row before Super Bowl LVI.
Rodgers makes Jets contenders
The New York Jets have transformed from an average team to strong contenders, some even suggesting Super Bowl contenders. The hopes of the Big Apple lie in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who aims to put an end to the 23-year postseason drought for the New York team.
Robert Saleh’s team could easily prove to be a headache for the Bills. Last season, they finished with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award going to wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Sauce Gardner, the team’s cornerback, earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Additionally, the presence of running back Breece Hall provides an extra edge to this team, which has the potential to go far.
The Jets made substantial offseason investments. It wasn’t just the acquisition of Rodgers, but they also brought in Allen Lazard for $44 million, a player Rodgers already knows from their time in Green Bay. The same applies to Randall Cobb, who also joined the team, and then there’s Dalvin Cook, the standout running back from the Minnesota Vikings, who could alleviate some pressure on Rodgers.
“I’m an older guy, so I want to be part of a team that can win it all,” Rodgers said via the Jets’ website during his introduction to the New York team, adding, “I believe this is a place where we can achieve that.”
Dolphins rely on Tua’s health
Miami has already shown that they can be contenders, as long as their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains healthy. Last year, they won one out of the two games they played against the Buffalo Bills. However, the big question mark still revolves around the Alabama graduate.
“I thought about it for a while, after sitting down with my family, sitting down with my wife, and having those kinds of conversations, but it’s going to be tough for me to leave this game at my age,” said Tagovailoa during this offseason, via CNN.
During the offseason, Miami acquired another star to bolster their defense. Jalen Ramsey became the new cornerback for the franchise in exchange for a third-round draft pick and tight end Hunter Long. They also brought in Mike White from the New York Jets in case Tua encounters issues again.
Another opportunity for Mac Jones
Lastly, there are the New England Patriots. For many years, the East belonged to the Boston-based institution. However, things have changed significantly since Tom Brady’s departure, who led the Patriots to six championships. Mac Jones doesn’t seem to be the immediate solution, but Bill Belichick has no choice but to once again put his trust in the Alabama man.
New England’s current objective seems to be avoiding last place in their division, which sounds strange considering their two-decade dominance not too long ago. Despite this, the Patriots have remained competitive in recent seasons and stayed in contention until the last week.
Undoubtedly, the defense seems to be the key for the Pats. They added Colombian cornerback Christian González and edge rusher Keion White in the second round. Additionally, they managed to renew Jabrill Peppers and Jonathan Jones, which could make the defense the strength of Belichick’s team.
Jones will also have new offensive weapons. One of the most notable additions was wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, although the absence of Jakobi Meyers, New England’s top receiver last season, might be felt. Tight end Mike Gesicki will also be a new tool for the quarterback. However, undoubtedly the most significant change occurred in free agency with the signing of Ezekiel Elliott, who, if he returns to his best form, can aid both Mac Jones and New England.