NFL: AFC East Division Preview

Part 5 of our look around the Divisions of the NFL we start our look at the AFC with the AFC East.

1. NFC East
2. NFC North
3. NFC South
4. NFC West

Division Outlook: Last season the AFC East had 2 good teams and 2 bad teams and finished with a combined 28/36 record. I still consider this one of the weaker divisions in football largely because of 2 forerunners of suck.


Buffalo Bills

• 2005 Record: 5/11 (third place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: Will Buffalo be worse than the Jets?
  
• Team Strength: The defense isn't too bad and they do have a stud at running back in McGahee.
  
• Team Weakness: J.P. Lossman is still a big question at QB, and it is also yet to be seen how the team will do without Eric Molds.
  
• Outlook: This is a bad football team that will soon be wondering what to do with a top 5 draft choice.

Miami Dolphins

• 2005 Record: 9/7 (Second Place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: Can this team pick up where they left off last season? Can Daunte Culpepper return to form?
  
• Team Strength: This is a team on the rise, several have the Dolphins being super bowl contenders. They've got a pretty good WR in Chris Chambers, a good back in Ronnie Brown and a new QB in Daunte Culpepper. Jason Tayler anchors a pretty solid defense.
  
• Team Weakness: Some of the Dolphins defenders are starting to get older, we'll see if that has an impact.
  
• Outlook: This is a 2 team division and fortunately for Miami they are one of the 2 teams. A conference weak schedule will net them at least a wildcard birth.

New England Patriots

• 2005 Record: 10/6 (First Place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: How will the team handle the Deion Branch situation? How will Doug Gabriel and Junior Seau fit in among others?
  
• Team Strength: Quality organization, good coaching, tremendous leadership at the QB position, quality depth.
  
• Team Weakness: Very little to hate about this team, the LB core is a little thin and old however.
  
• Outlook: The other of the 2 teams in this division it is hard to see New England settling for less than a wildcard birth at this point.

New York Jets

• 2005 Record: 4/12 (Forth Place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: Can Chad Pennington turn back into an NFL QB? How many miles are in Curtis Martin's gastank? Will Kevan Barlow be a good enough replacement? Will the team respond to a new coach?
  
• Team Strength: New coach, Eric Manjini seems to have the support of his players and that's something I don't think you can overlook.
  
• Team Weakness: There are question marks all over this football team and a number surround the QB position. I think the Kevan Barlow trade was a smart move for the Jets as insurance.
  
• Outlook: Not good for this year, but they have a brighter future.

Projected Finish:

1. Dolphins
2. Patriots (wildcard)
3. Jets
4. Bills