AFC East: Dolphins catching up on Bills, Jets’ new hope in an old QB, Patriots in flux
AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS
Coach: Sean McDermott (seventh season in Buffalo, 66-40 regular season, 4-5 playoffs).
Last season: 14-4 (first in the division), lost in the AFC Divisional Round to Cincinnati.
Key additions: G Connor McGovern, S Taylor Rapp, TE Dalton Kincaid, G O’Cyrus Torrence.
Key subtractions: LB Tremaine Edmunds, RB Devin Singletary, G Rodger Saffold, WR Isaiah McKenzie.
Looking ahead: You haven’t heard this much talk about closing windows since your Dad yelled he’s not trying to air condition the whole neighborhood. But nobody understands the limitations of time and opportunities than the only franchise to go to four consecutive Super Bowls (0 for 4). They will get piles of points from the Josh Allen-led offense, but need to cut down on piles of turnovers (the NFL’s third most). The defense, come winter, has a habit of not looking even playoff ready, much less Super.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Coach: Mike McDaniel (second season in Miami, 9-8 in the regular season, 0-1 in the playoffs).
Last season: 9-9 (second in the division), lost in the AFC Wild Card Round to Buffalo.
Key additions: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, CB Jalen Ramsey, WR Braxton Barrios, P Jake Bailey, QB Mike White, RB/KR Devon Achane, CB Eli Apple, CB Kelvin Joseph.
Key subtractions: TE Mike Gesicki, LB Elandon Roberts, OT Brandon Shell, P Thomas Morstead, WR Trent Sherfield, CB Noah Igbinoghene.
Looking ahead: In a league ruled by explosive passing plays, the Dolphins have twin combustible Flashes in wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle; the NFL’s most talented cornerback duo (when healthy), Ramsey and Xavien Howard; and one-man pass rush Bradley Chubb. Give those last two elements and run stuffer Christian Wilkins to Fangio and what do you get? Should be, at least, the first playoff win in 23 years... if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can play enough games. An improved coach Mike McDaniel and special teams also boost hopes.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Coach: Bill Belichick (24th season in New England, 262-108 in the regular season, 30-12 in the playoffs).
Last season: 8-9 (third in the division).
Key additions: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RB Ezekiel Elliott, CB Christian Gonzalez, TE Mike Gesicki, DE Keion White, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Key subtractions: S Devin McCourty, WR Jakobi Meyers, RB Damien Harris, WR Nelson Agholor, DT Carl Davis, Jr.
Looking ahead: Bill Belichick constipated quarterback Mac Jones’ progress with a dumb double offensive coach combination that included recycled defensive coach Matt Patricia. Belichick junked that to give recycled O’Brien an offense that was the worst at reaching the end zone from the red zone. If Elliott has anything left, he will help improve that. Numbers — third in interceptions, eighth overall —say the Pats defense is solid. The Pats spending their first three picks on defense says they’re worried about solid soon getting soggy.
NEW YORK JETS
Coach: Robert Saleh (third season with the Jets, 11-23 in the regular season).
Last season: 7-10 (fourth in the division).
Key additions: QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Randall Cobb, WR Mecole Hardman, P Thomas Morstead.
Key subtractions: S LaMarcus Joyner, DT Shelton Rankins, OL Nate Herbig, WR Corey Davis, QB Mike White, WR Elijah Moore, KR/WR Braxton Berrios.
Looking ahead: In one season, Saleh and smart drafting turned the NFL’s worst defense into the fourth best in yards allowed and points allowed. The Jets had NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (Sauce Gardner) and Offensive Rookie of the Year (Garrett Wilson). If they got anything but disappointment from the quarterback position, they would have been in the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Trading to get future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers running an offense with talent everywhere else, including free agent running back Dalvin Cook, should make the AFC East a three-team race.
