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The 2022 NFL regular season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to predict all eight division winners, today it’s the AFC East division.
Division Winner: BUFFALO BILLS (13-4)
The Buffalo Bills are the class of the AFC East! Buffalo enters the 2022 season after an overtime playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Josh Allen leads Buffalo into what seems to be a make or break season for the Bills, as they signed veteran Edge Rusher Von Miller, to help get them to the Super Bowl.
Draft Kings has the Buffalo Bills as the AFC favorite to make and win Super Bowl 57. Winning the top seed is a must for the Bills, who have saw their season end in Kansas City, the last two seasons. An AFC Championship game in Buffalo could be the difference between another playoff loss or a Super Bowl appearance.
The Bills have the best QB and defense in the AFC East. A division title is expected and the homefield advantage through the playoffs is the expectation.
2nd Place: MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-8)
Miami made a splash in the offseason by trading for Tyreek Hill and they followed up the addition of Hill by signing Terron Armstead, to play Left Tackle.
New Dolphins coach, Mike McDaniel, is tasked with helping Tua Tagovailoa take a step forward. Tua has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, since being drafted in 2020, a slow start would place immense pressure on Tagovailoa as Miami was reportedly trying to add Tom Brady in the offseason. The Dolphins will attempt to win immediately, despite uncertainty at Head Coach and Quarterback.
The hectic offseason brought more talent to Miami, but the coaching changes and uncertainty at Quarterback make them far from a playoff lock.
3rd Place: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (8-9)
New England is the hardest team to project in the AFC East. Matt Patricia is the leading candidate to call plays for the Patriots in 2022. The other option is Joe Judge, somehow.
Mac Jones looked serviceable at times in 2021, but never seemed to have the full trust of Bill Belichick. In the past, it would be foolish to bet against Belichick, but the Patriots look to be devoid of talent on offense. A young QB, new offensive coaches, and a lack of talent would seemingly spell trouble for the Patriots, but the pedigree of their coach would project that New England will be in the hunt for a wild card spot.
Last Place: NEW YORK JETS (5-12)
The New York Jets are another team that is difficult to figure out, but an injury to Zach Wilson may be a sign of bad things to come.
The Jets added WR Garrett Wilson, TE CJ Uzomah, and TE Tyler Conklin, in hopes of giving Zach Wilson more viable receiving targets. Not to mention, a bounce back year from WR Corey Davis could provide the Jets with a viable passing game.
On defense, the New York Jets added S Jordan Whitehead, CB Sauce Gardner, and DE Jermaine Johnson. Johnson, along with healthy Defensive Linemen Quinnen Williams and Carl Lawson, could give the Jets a solid pass rush.
The New York Jets have a tough schedule , with three of their first four games against 2022 playoff teams ( W1 Ravens, W3 Bengals, W3 Steelers). The Jets season will be defined by the play of Zach Wilson. The Jets need Wilson to stay healthy and take a step forward. A bad year and New York is probably looking for another QB in the 2023 draft. A good year and the Jets could be a good offseason away from playoff contention. The pieces are there for the Jets to contend for a 6th or 7th seed, but the uncertainty at QB will be what holds them back.
Playoff Prediction: Buffalo Bills ( AFC East Champs)
Staff Predictions for AFC East Division:
Big John
Bills (13-4)
Dolphins (11-6)
Patriots (10-7)
Jets (5-12)
Whiteclaw
Bills (12-5)
Patriots (10-7)
Dolphins (8-9)
Jets (6-11)
Lil G
Bills (13-4)
Dolphins(11-6)
Patriots(10-7)
Jets(6-11)
Stay tuned for our upcoming podcasts on the NFL with hosts Jesse J, Big John, Lil G and special guests this upcoming season.