1. Buffalo Bills: Before Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills had the longest active streak of not making the playoffs. Since he took the job, they’ve made the playoffs in four of the last five years including a trip to the AFC Championship Game during the 2020 season. I always say the league is at its best when the legendary teams are good. Josh Allen has really emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in this league and he continues to climb the ladder. One thing I continuously stressed last season was the inconsistent running game. The Bills depend on Josh a bit too much and it would cost them. The defense was ranked number one in the league in 2021 and will look to build off that. They’ve won the division the last two seasons.
2. New England Patriots: After missing the playoffs in 2020, they returned back to playing January football. However, they haven’t won a playoff game since Super Bowl 53 and that’s the first thing they’ll point out. They’re never content with just getting to the postseason. Mac Jones impressed me last year. The Patriots do such a good job of coaching players to their strengths. They did a few things right offensively. One of their strengths was running the football in 2021. Where they struggled was at wide receiver as they didn’t have a receiver eclipse 100 yards all year long. That’s why they went and acquired DaVante Parker from the Dolphins to give Mac a weapon. Defense is always going to be a strength for a Bill Belichick team.
3. Miami Dolphins: They were 1-7 after eight games. Then came a seven-game winning streak and they were threatening to make the playoffs but would end up missing it again. Brian Flores was relieved of his duties as head coach and hired Mike McDaniel to be their next head coach. The Dolphins made one of the biggest splashes during the off-season when they acquired Tyreek Hill in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. The big question with this team is Tua Tagovailoa. If he can stay healthy, they would be a team to watch for, but that’s been the problem, he can’t stay on the field. If Tua can play how he did in the second half of last season, this is a playoff team.
4. New York Jets: There’s a glimmer of optimism for the future. I love what they were able to do in the draft. With their first pick, they took Sauce Gardner out of Cincinnati. It’s been a struggle for them to replace Darrelle Revis at cornerback. With the tenth pick, they selected Garrett Wilson, a wide receiver from Ohio State which gives Zach Wilson a weapon on the outside. Robert Saleh has some pieces to get his defense to an improved level. The offensive line and weapons will be stronger for the Jets in the fall. Their rebuild is headed in the right direction.
2022 Prediction
1. Bills (14-3)
2. Patriots (9-8)
3. Dolphins (8-9)
4. Jets (5-12)
The Buffalo Bills will win the AFC East for the third consecutive season. Josh Allen is an MVP candidate and he will be supported by a plethora of weapons along with an elite defense. The Bills signed Von Miller to a free-agent contract in the off-season and his presence will pay off. Also, the Bills will be welcoming Tre’Davious White back from a torn ACL. He’s their best secondary player. I don’t see any of the other three teams in the division challenging Buffalo. New England might be close, but they don’t have the offense to hang around with the Bills.
