The Good, The Bad And The Jets – 2024 AFC East Preview

Several teams in the AFC East came into last season with some serious aspirations. The New York Jets’ plans fell apart mere minutes into their first game, while the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins waited until late in the year to fall short of their goals.

And the New England Patriots…well, they have some fond memories to look back on. At least they have a new path forward now that the Bill Belichick era is officially over.

A new season brings new hope for all four franchises, but not much has changed in the status quo of the division.

 

Buffalo Bills

Record in 2023-24: 11-6

Key Player: Keon Coleman – Wide Receiver

Player to Watch: Ray Davis – Running Back

There’s no reason to be disingenuous. The Bills’ offense is built around quarterback Josh Allen and his gunslinger mentality. While that can sometimes lead to mistakes, it can also spell trouble for opposing defenses.

But that offense is going have a different look this year, thanks to the departures of long time wide receiver tandem Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Allen will need to get comfortable with rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, and quickly. Leaning on the run game should help those growing pains. Look for them to utilize another rookie weapon, running back Ray Davis. Some explosive plays on the ground may make up for the potential loss of some big plays through the air.

They’re going to need it, because the job won’t be easy defensively. Last season, defensive captain Matt Milano was lost in week five to a fractured leg and it clearly impacted the unit. He’s injured again, this time with a torn biceps that will keep him out indefinitely. Without him, the Bills will need the offense to win more shootouts than defensive battles. Prediction: 10-7

 

 Miami Dolphins

Record in 2023-24: 11-6

Key Player: Calais Campbell – Defensive End

Player to Watch: Jordan Poyer – Safety

“Can Tua Tagovailoa…”” Blah blah blah. The same old talking points. Make no mistake, this offense is loaded and if this team can’t get to the promised land, the problem will not be under center. It’s just the easy scapegoat.

We all know what a menace Tyreek Hill can be to opposing defenses. Throw in Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane and it’s abundantly clear scoring points will not be an issue in South Beach.

But the other talking point that at least thus far can’t be discounted, is how that offense may slow down in late season cold weather. If a Super Bowl is the goal, securing the top seed in the playoffs should be a priority for this group.

Some veteran leadership on defense should help. The ageless Calais Campbell has been brought in to do what he does best on the defensive line. Safety Jordan Poyer has come over from Buffalo, which brings some inside knowledge on their in-division rival. This defense doesn’t need to suffocate opponents, just contain them. Those two additions should help make that possible. Prediction: 12-5

 

 New England Patriots

Record in 2023-24: 4-13

Key Player: Vederian Lowe – Left Tackle

Player to Watch: Christian Gonzalez – Cornerback

Do you want to hear commentary for seventeen games about Bill Belichick no longer being the coach of the New England Patriots? Doesnt matter, that’s what you’re going to get. But lost in that is that there is an actual football team still in New England.

Unfortunately, it’s just not a very good one. New head coach Jerod Mayo is going to have his work cut out for him, since this roster is still reeling a bit from a long series of draft misses by the legend he is taking over for.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is the future, but he’s currently sitting behind veteran Jacoby Brissett on the depth chart, and that’s a good thing. Maye will have a better chance at success with time to develop, which means a lot of pressure is on left tackle Vederian Lowe (and the rest of the line), to keep Brissett healthy as long as possible. Stacked boxes will be the norm against this New England front, and points will be hard to come by.

The defense has been the lone bright spot the last few years and they’ll need to be again for this group to be competitive. Second year corner Christian Gonzalez will be key in that regard, being needed to lock up one side of the field and take away options from opposing offenses.

There should be brighter days ahead for New England, but it seems like this season will be another rough rebuilding year. But New England fans are known for their patience. Right? Right?! Prediction: 5-12

 

 New York Jets

Record in 2023-24: 7-10

Key Player: Aaron Rodgers – Quarterback

Player to Watch: Xavier Gipson – Wide Receiver

I know, I know, picking Aaron Rodgers is predictable and boring. But in this case it really is the right call. He holds the keys to the Jets’ success this season.

We got to see Rodgers in a Jets uniform for such a short period of time last year that it almost seems like a fever dream. He went down and the season went with him. IF he can stay healthy and IF Father Time hasn’t caught up with him, it could be a much different story.

That being said, those are two massive “IFs.”

There are some reassuring signs for Gang Green, however. The man holding the clipboard is Tyrod Taylor this season, one of the most reliable, steady back up signal callers in the league. If Rodgers were to get hurt, this offense shouldn’t fall prey to ineptitude like it did last year. And if Rodgers stays on the field, he has legitimate weapons.

Garrett Wilson’s life will be easier with Rodgers under center and the newly acquired Mike Williams on the opposite side of him. Those things should open up chances for explosive running back Breece Hall. The biggest beneficiary might be slot receiver Xavier Gipson. The undrafted second year pass catcher is shifty in space and can get lost by a defense, and could be used similar to Randall Cobb back in Green Bay.

The Jets are like an inverse Dolphins. Defense won’t be their issue. Head Coach Robert Saleh excels on that side of the ball and he has an arsenal at his disposal, headlined by arguably the best cornerback in the league, Sauce Gardner. Add in stalwarts in the front seven like Quinnen Williams and C.J. Moseley and this is going to be a team you don’t want to let get a lead on you.

It all hinges on Rodgers, and this is likely a one year window for the Jets. Unfortunately, the AFC is stacked and his health has to be a major concern. Prediction: 9-8