2012 AFC East Preview

AFC East

Reviews are in order of final standards for 2011

1. Patriots (13-3): - The Pats made it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 4 seasons. However, some would say that they we're extremely lucky in their path to that game: Having to play Tebow and Broncos instead of the Steelers and having the Ravens drop a go-ahead TD and miss a FG to tie the AFC title game. But one thing that the Pats wasn't expecting was for history to repeat itself: Eli Manning and Giants beating the Pats against in a very close Super Bowl. This season could be one similar to last season, based on the Pats strength of schedule. Could the Pats continue their winning ways for another or say 2-3 more seasons?
2. Jets (8-8): - What could describe the Jets season in 2011: Disappointment, Chaos, Distractions, etc.... The Jets had everything in the world go against this team, which had high hopes for a Super Bowl trip. Now I'll add a new word in for the 2012 season: Controversy. Adding Tim Tebow to a team that already had a QB in Mark Sanchez could make this season very controversial and could most people crazy by the end of the season with all of the media coverage that this team will get. Can the Jets make one last run at a Super Bowl title or is this the beginning of the end?
3. Dolphins (6-10): - A lot changes has gone on in South Beach this off-season. New coaches, QB, and hopefully new results for a team that's been out of sync over the last few years. Drafting Ryan Tannehill as the QB of the future drew major criticism. However, New Head Coach Joe Philbin looks to turn this team and hopes of making the postseason soon. WR Chad Johnson, yes Johnson, has returned to his home state to help out this team and his career after the stint with the Pats last season found him to be "quiet" throughout the season. Can the Dolphins continue on improving as they did to end the season last year?
4. Bills (6-10): - If the NFL only played 8 games in season, the Bills would of been the AFC's #1 seed. However, there is a second half to a season and this is where the Bills "fell off" and badly. After winning 5 of their first 8 games, the Bills lost 7 of 8 to end the season. Hopefully for the fans of Buffalo that this was a lesson for a young team to learn: How to win games in the NFL, when they count the most.....in November and December. Can QB Ryan Fitzpatrick have the season that he had the first 8 games of last season or the last 8 games of the season? I mean this will be the Bills key to challenging the Pats in this division and other AFC Wild Card contenders. Their defense has improved a lot with the signing of Mario Williams. The question is, can this young team make the moves this season to challenge the Pats and overtake the Jets in the process?

2012 AFC East Champion: New England Patriots

NE: (12-4)

NYJ: (10-6)

BUF: (10-6)

MIA: (5-11)