[TheShark72]

We move into the AFC, and start with the AFC East

AFC EAST DIVISION - Teams : New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets

Last Season :

1. New England Patriots 16-0 - Lost in Superbowl to N Y Giants
2. Buffalo Bills 7-9 - Didnt Qualify for Playoffs
3. New York Jets 4-12 - DNQ
4. Miami Dolphins 1-15 - DNQ

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots were one game away from history last season, and many/most people still cannot believe they did not achieve NFL perfection and go through the whole season unbeaten and end up as World Champs. They broke countless records and will go down anyway as one of the most complete teams ever. But that was last season...what about this season? On offense, not much has changed - QB Tom Brady will still throw the ball about with alarming accuracy to his awesome WR corps which boasts the mercurial Randy Moss - they will run the ball to great effect when needed, mostly via Laurence Maroney, but ably assisted by a couple of good backup RB's, and will score points aplenty. But word is that Brady is struggling with a foot injury and the preseason has shown that nullify Brady, and you nullify alot of the Pats offense. Exactly how the Giants beat them. Also, there is no doubt they are not as string defensively, with age finally catching up with their excellent but aging Linebackers and Secondary. The Pats will still be the team to beat to win this years SB, but wont be as dominant this time around

Offensive Rating : 10/10 - as good as it gets IF Brady is fully fit
Defensive Rating : 8/10 - lower than last year

My Prediction :

Playoff football a certainty in New England again, but they have missed their chance to create NFL history.

BUFFALO BILLS

The Bills always seem to be so close to being a break out team, but cant get close to the Patriots and always have an achilles heel that ultimately restricts them from being a really good side. Traditionally a strong running team the current Bills are no exception, with stud RB Marshawn Lynch nailed on to be one of the leagues top rushers. The passing game remains weak though and while the Bills D will keep the opposition honest, they will end up somewhere around .500 again. Watch for this team relocating soon to Canada also...that will be massive news for the NFL and the Bills.

Offensive Rating : 6.5/10
Defensive Rating : 7/10

My Prediction : Not many teams will enjoy playing the Bills, but again their limitations will prevent them making the post season.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

As good as the Patriots were last season, the Dolphins were as bad. They truly were a shambles of an organisation - unlucky when they lost a hot Ronnie Brown (RB) to a season ending injury around week 6, and then serious problems in nigh on every other position possible. But every cloud has a silver one, and in the Dolphins case it was they had the number 1 draft pick which they wasted no time in using on the star collegiate QB Matt Ryan. He wont start for the Fins this year, that honour will go to newly acquired QB Chad Pennington, formerly of the Jets, but should become a franchise QB in time. The Fins also have back Ricky Williams, a one time superstar RB who was banned for drug abuse, but in no way can all the holes have been filled so quickly.

Offensive Rating : 4/10
Defensive Rating : 5/10

My Prediction : Better in Miami but many more losses to endure than wins to celebrate. Will be more competative though.

NEW YORK JETS

Every sentence about the Jets has the words "Brett Favre" in it - maybe rightly so. The Jets were a team plodding along - very limited with the occasional good performance. It is dubious that Favre can turn it around wholly by himself, but he does have some decent weapons at his disposal. Coles and Cotchery are two good WR's, whilst Thomas Jones has potential to be a good RB. Defensively they are adequate, but you just dont get the feeling about the Jets - plus Favre has one - two at most - seasons in him...what then?

Offensive Rating : 6/10
Defensive Rating : 5/10

My Prediction : Alot of attention to the New York Bretts, but not because of their winning record or playoff football. Fight with Miami to prop up the division only.

AFC EAST OVERALL

Nothing really to stop the Patriots here, unless Brady is out for a while and the Bills come good. Neither of those likely to happen big enough to prevent New England taking the division easily though, while the Bills will again chase them home but a fair few wins behind. The Jets and Dolphins will battle out the minor places but suffer more losses than wins.

1. Patriots
2. Bills
3. Dolphins
4. Jets