AFC East: Early Predictions For 2023

The AFC East might be one of the more competitive divisions in football this year. You have the Buffalo Bills who have been the pack’s leaders for the past few seasons. Then there’s the Miami Dolphins trying to prove they can do it with Tua Tagovailoa. The New York Jets made the best offseason move by signing Aaron Rodgers. Last, the New England Patriots is trying to prove they’re still relevant from their dynasty years. There is plenty to look forward to so let’s dive in on the early predictions.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills could slip in the AFC East. If the Buffalo Bills can’t get consistent in the run game without having to rely on Josh Allen running the football, it might be a long season. Consistency is key and the Bills haven’t been firing on all cylinders consistently. While they would go on to win their first postseason matchup last year, it was against a 3rd string QB with the Miami Dolphins and they almost lost.

From a historic back-and-forth with the Kansas City Chiefs, the year before to looking less of a threat a year later is a big deal. Buffalo needs to find ways to run the football and keep it out of the hands of QBs like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. The worst thing you can do against those two is give them time.

Miami Dolphins

If Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy, he leads the AFC East in both Passing Yard and Touchdowns. That’s about as bold of a claim as it can get but a healthy Tua is a dangerous Tua with all the weapons he has. Opposing fans might give you some bs about his arm strength and there’s merit there (albeit not much) but not all big plays happen deep downfield. Tua can dissect defenses with his accuracy and that’s what Miami needs to lean into. His WRs can get open and make plays, but they need him to hit them in stride or put it where only his guys can get it. Tyreek Hill wants 2,000 yards this season and if he wants to get there, he’ll need Tua at 100% for all 17 games.

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New York Jets

Ride a high, but get too cocky. With a talent like Aaron Rodgers on the team and a handful of talent around him, it should be very easy for fans to get excited. However, if they try to do too much, too quickly it could be a trap. The Jets have star players on their team but talent doesn’t doom a football team, sloppy play does. If the Jets get too caught up on that hype train there are plenty of teams in the AFC who will try to make an example out of them. They need to maintain early focus on playing mistake-free football.

New England Patriots

Mac Jones is benched before the season is over. While the New England Patriots are making the right moves this offseason, how long before the old Mac Jones comes back out? We’ve seen QBs throw fits on the sideline before but Mac needs to realize, he hasn’t earned that right yet. Yes, you had a successful college career, plenty of guys have. But this is the big leagues, young man. Ask any QB before you and they’ll all tell you, fans don’t care about what you did in college. Either put up or shut up. You can’t be yelling at your coaches like that and alienating teammates when you’re in last place. You need to be a leader. If he pulls the same stunts this year, Belichick might have no choice but to sit him down.