1 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Randy Moss
| September |
| 14 BUFFALO (W) |
| 20 at New York Jets (L) |
| 27 ATLANTA (W) |
| October |
| 4 BALTIMORE (W) |
| 11 at Denver (L) |
| 18 TENNESSEE |
| 25 Tampa Bay (in London) |
| November |
| 1 bye |
| 8 MIAMI |
| 15 at Indianapolis |
| 22 NY Jets |
| 30 at New Orleans |
| December |
| 6 at Miami |
| 13 CAROLINA |
| 20 at Buffalo |
| 27 JACKSONVILLE |
| January |
| 3 at Houston |
Brady’s back and there’s gonna be trouble. New England finds a way to shed the old, have their youth contribute as they grow, but the key is getting veterans to plug immediate needs. Like running back Fred Taylor (despite an ankle injury), receiver Joey Galloway and pulling linebacker Junior Seau out of retirement (again).
The loss of all-pro defensive end Richard Seymour and linebacker Mike Vrabel notwithstanding, the Patriots should win their division.
2 NEW YORK JETS
Rex Ryan
| September |
| 13 at Houston (W) |
| 20 NEW ENGLAND (W) |
| 27 TENNESSEE (W) |
| October |
| 4 at New Orleans (L) |
| 12 at Miami (L) |
| 18 BUFFALO |
| 25 at Oakland |
| November |
| 1 MIAMI |
| 8 bye |
| 15 JACKSONVILLE |
| 22 at New England |
| 29 CAROLINA |
| December |
| 3 at Buffalo |
| 13 at Tampa Bay |
| 20 ATLANTA |
| 27 at Indianapolis |
| January |
| 3 CINCINNATI |
The Jets return to power will come through defense and former Raven D coach Rex Ryan has built a smothering unit that has produced results. Freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez has been a pleasant surprise so far and handing off to all-pro running back Thomas Jones will keep this team in games.
3 BUFFALO BILLS
Marshawn Lynch
| September |
| 13 at New England (L) |
| 20 TAMPA BAY (W) |
| 27 NEW ORLEANS (L) |
| October |
| 4 at Miami (L) |
| 11 CLEVELAND (L) |
| 18 at NY Jets |
| 25 at Carolina |
| November |
| 1 HOUSTON |
| 8 bye |
| 15 at Tennessee |
| 22 at Jacksonville |
| 29 MIAMI |
| December |
| 3 NY JETS |
| 13 at Kansas City |
| 20 NEW ENGLAND |
| 27 at Atlanta |
| January |
| 3 INDIANAPOIS |
Football is a team game, so the new star arriving from the Lone Star state has proven that turning things around requires a group effort. Receiver Terrell Owens may bring some media attention, but the Bills need a lot more than a few more microphones and television reporters in the locker room. Having 1,000-yard running back Marshawn Lynch returning from suspension should help.
Buffalo’s defense will be tested as they face the Top 5 teams in both scoring and rushing and at the same time with the loss of arguably their best player, disgruntled pro bowl tackle Jason Peters to Philly, the Bills’ offensive line will consist of all newcomers.
4 MIAMI DOLPHINS
Jason Taylor
| September |
| 13 at Atlanta (L) |
| 21 INDIANAPOLIS (L) |
| 27 at San Diego (L) |
| October |
| 4 BUFFALO (W) |
| 11 NY JETS (W) |
| 18 bye |
| 25 NEW ORLEANS |
| November |
| 1 at NY Jets |
| 8 at New England |
| 15 TAMPA BAY |
| 19 at Carolina |
| 29 at Buffalo |
| December |
| 6 NEW ENGLAND |
| 13 at Jacksonville |
| 20 at Tennessee |
| 27 HOUSTON |
| January |
| 3 PITTSBURGH |
The early exit of two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington (season-ending injury in a game 3 loss to San Diego) at quarterback has been a set back to the leadership of the Dolphins, but at the same has given more emphasis on their Wildcat formation that has proven an effective tool.
The Bill Parcells regime believes Chad Henne, out of Michigan, might be a long-term solution as it is unlikely the 33-year-old Pennington will return to Miami next season, because he’s in the final year of his contract and faces an uncertain recovery from the third operation on his right shoulder since 2005.
Henne is Miami’s 14th starting quarterback since Dan Marino retired following the 1999 season.
On D the Dolphins have a good pass rush with the return of Jason Taylor and a talented free safety in Gibril Wilson, acquired from Oakland who, prior to that, helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII.
The Jets could be a surprise, especially if their defense continues to flourish, but New England will be there in the end.
Dolphins arent foolin’ anyone. Yeah the “Wildcat” is mildly successful in creating some confusion for defenses but it really masks an overall poor unit. Who is the QB of the future there?
Sanchez is carrying the offensive load and Brayton is a good catch, but you gotta love the best Ryan defense since Buddy’s old 46 at Chicago.
The Patriots know how to stay compeitive while re-tooling and it is no different this year. The AFC East is rleatively weak so we should make the playoffs and see from there where our veteran leadership takes us.