Every year we go through the cycle of going over every division, predicting who will come out on top and who will fall the bottom of the standings. Yes, every year, since Tom Terrific and The Hoodie have entered the spotlight it seems that the Patriots winning the AFC East has about the same odds as the sun coming up tomorrow. And this year is no different, especially with one of the strongest, best put together teams ever assembled. Am I saying they are going 16-0 or 19-0, no, but they’re going to come pretty damn close. So, yes, they will win the AFC East this year, but that doesn’t mean we don’t talk about… the others.
Miami Dolphins: It seems that the Dolphins are the epitome of average every year. They range anywhere from barely making/missing the playoffs, to finishing around the bottom quarter of the league. They drafted Charles Harris with the 22nd pick in this years draft, which fills a need that isn’t necessarily a problem right now, which again, seems to be the Dolphins M.O. This seems to be Cameron Wake’s, replacement, as he is already 35 and unless you’re a quarterback, you don’t see too many players still playing at that age. Ryan Tannehill is also ‘slightly’ above average, if that. Also, it seems that yesterday he injured himself during a team practice. There is no final decision on how long he will miss, but that will definitely damper the Phins’ chances at being in the middle of the pack of this year. On the bright side Jay Ajayi has shown the ability to be a franchise running back last year with numerous breakout performances. Regarding the Kaepernick “resolution,” I don’t think it works, Kaep and the Phins’ have had their issues in the past, I don’t think either side would come to an agreement. (8-8 with Tannehill, 6-10 without Tannehill)
New York Jets: Oh boy… Where should I start? Any idea who’s starting at quarterback? No? Oh. What about running back? Oh… At least the offensive line isn’t… the Chargers? At least you still have Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Oh, Marshall went to play with Odell and the team that plays in the stadium… so much for a change of scenery. Did I forget to mention the Decker plays for the Titans now? I must have. Well, David Harris is holding down the middle linebacker spot… wait, he signed with the Patriots a few weeks ago. Yeah, I got nothing. Jamal Adams looks nice, but anything is possible with the Jets. I guess they’re in contention for the Sam Darnold lottery with the Browns. (2-14, winners of Sam Darnold Lottery)
Buffalo Bills: The past few years the Bills have seemed like a contender for the “most irrelevant team” in the league along with the Jags. (Sorry fans of Bills and Jags, but you know it’s true) They lost Stephon Gilmore in free agency the the arch nemesis a few miles down, aka the World Champs. Management and owners seems to be in an endless turmoil, but who knows, I mean who really goes that far north? (5-11, mediocre team, not doing much)
New England Patriots: You know the saying, right? Save the best for last. Where do I start? They started the offseason with signing Gronk’s brother, which is not necessarily beneficial to the team, but regardless, awesome. Then stole Dwayne Allen from the Colts (trade), replacing Marcellus Bennet, who took the journey north to play with Mr. Discount Double Check. Then in two days, they stole one of the best corners in the league, Stephon Gilmore (free agent), and traded for Brandin Cooks (WR) from the Saints and Kony Ealy (DE) from the Panthers, for basically a first and second round pick. They then resigned Dont’a Hightower aka, BoomTower, to a four year deal. And then it seems that just out of spite, signed Mike Gillislee, former Bills running back, and David Harris, former Jets linebacker. Never in my life have I seen a defending Super Bowl Championship team improve their roster to this magnitude. With Tom Terrific playing at the best he’s ever played (although he is aging), and The Hoodie taking the reigns like the puppet master, you can’t blame ESPN for giving the gang a 34.7% chance to be back to back champs, with the next closest teams (Seahawks and Packers) at 9.8% and 9.3%. (15-1, only because I’m not allowed to say 16-0 because Bill would probably come after me)
