Sport Card Collectors 2012 NFL Preview: AFC East

There is just something about the NFL that makes it my favorite sport. Don't get me wrong, I do watch baseball time to time. And a little basketball. I am not much of a hockey, racing, golf or bowling (other than playing it) person. The NFL is the only sport I can sit and watch an entire game of anymore.  I don't know if its because I played it or grew up watching it...but I love the game. And because of this with the NFL season upcoming and the start of the preseason is soon...I thought I would share my opinions of how I think the divisions will break down and who will win each.

I will be breaking down 2 divisions a week up until the start of the season. Today's AFC East and here is how I think it will go down: (note: these are in order of how we think they will finish and what their records will be)

1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-3) 

The Patriots come in as the runner ups of last seasons Super Bowl but they come into 2012 much stronger. They had a great draft adding to their defense some much needed help with LB Donta Hightower and DE C. Jones who will replace Mark Anderson who left in the off season. They are added to an already talented young defense including LB's Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes, DT Vince Wolfork, and CB Devin McCourty.

On offense, the Patriots are strong with two great unstoppable tight end weapons in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkoski. And of course you cannot forget WR Wes Welker and new acquisition WR Brandon Lloyd. If the Patriots can figure out which running back can help them run the ball so teams are not focused on their pass as much...they will be tough to stop.

Overall, I expect once again the Patriots will take the East easily. Their offense will be tough to stop thougg their defense may be young and give up big plays, the offense will always make up for it. The Patriots are the lead of the pack in the AFC.


2. BUFFALO BILLS (9-7) 

  The Bills had a huge off season and the team is very high on their roster this year. The Bills started out very strong last year going 5-2 to start the season before falling apart towards the end. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a hot start that fizzled but this guy can truly be a very good NFL QB and their RB Fred Jackson can run over everyone when healthy on the field and the backup of Tashard Choice can run the ball well too. Stevie Johnson is a great wide out who can make incredible catches. I also expect them to utilize backup QB Vince Young on some trick plays as well. The Bills have pieces in a place on offense to be dangerous.

It was their defense that hurt them last year and that's why the Bills spent big time on their D this off season picking up Sack Master Mario Williams, DE Mark Anderson and drafting CB Stephon Gilmore. With these new pieces and some in place, the defense should be much improved.

Overall, this is a team ready to win. They are hungry and are feeling great about their chances. I believe with the look of the AFC they could sneak into the playoffs as a surprise team.
 

 3. NEW YORK JETS (8-8) 

The Jets come into this season making only a few moves...but one of their moves is the most talked about in the NFL right now. It only takes one word to sum it up...TEBOW. The Jets surprised many when they made the move and traded for qb Tim Tebow. That not only brought more media to the Jets, but puts pressure on their current starting qb Mark Sanchez to keep his job. Even though the Jets supposedly brought in Tebow to play on trick plays and special teams..there is got to be something inside their heads thinking that he could be their starting qb as well. Tim Tebow is a winner and if Mark Sanchez falters early, expect Tim to come out and take over when fans start chanting his name. The Jets know you need fans to fill a stadium and whether or not Tebow can play qb..he can fill seats and brings excitement. Another thing the Jets need to do on offense is get better with their running game. Shonn Greene takes over as starter after the retirement of Ladanian Tomlinson.  If the Jets can run the ball, it will help Sanchez with throwing the ball to outspoken WR Santonio Holmes and rookie WR Stephen Hill in the new offensive scheme of former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.

On defense, the Jets surprised everyone in the drafting of Quinton Coples as DE. But its a position they have needed for years. The defense is good, especially in the secondary, but they need to get some pressure on the qb in order for Rex Ryans D to work.

Overall, the Jets have some talent. But I think the Bills are still better. And with the Patriots to chase.... It will take a Tebow-esque type winning streak in order for this team to sneak into the playoffs.


4. MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-13)

The Dolphins come in...well new. New coach, new WR's, and a new attitude. This is a team that is mixed of old vets and young rookies. There is a 3-way qb battle going on with Matt Moore (last years starter), David Garrard and rookie qb Ryan Tannehill. Matt Moore did a decent job for them last year and at this point probably is looking like the starter. The fans are probably leaning more towards Tannehill since he is the future and the excitement there was around drafting him. Reggie Bush's first season with the Dolphins was very successful and this year he predicts to lead the league in rushing. Which might not be a far stretch since this team will need to run the ball a lot with the lack of talent on offense. They also picked up WR Chad Johnson (who had a rough year in New England but promises to be back on track this season) after trading off troubled WR Brandon Marshall to the Bears. They have other young WR's on the roster as well such as Brian Harline, Clyde Gates and Davone Bess.

The Dolphins defense is led by MLB Karlos Dansby, LB Cameron Wake and CB Vontae Davis. The Dolphins have a decent defense that helps keep them in games. And when you play teams like New England in your division...you are going to need that to keep up.

Overall, it will be a transition season for Miami. They still have holes to fill and could possibly be playing with a young QB and a WR group where its hard to pick out a number one guy. The Dolphins new coach Joe Philbin has some definite work to do with this team it will be a couple of years process.

What do you guys think of my predictions? Did I rank a team too high? Too low? Give me your thoughts!