Predicting the NFL 2020: AFC East
The Favourites - New England Patriots
For the first time since 2001, the most successful franchise in the history of the NFL is not the overwhelming favourite to win the AFC East, after the legendary Tom Brady decided to end his 20-year stay in Boston and instead head down to sunny Florida with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Even with Brady at the helm, the Patriots largely relied on their defense to secure the division title last season, leading the league in takeaways and giving up the least yards per game (275). The defensive unit largely remaining intact offers a foundation to improve on last season's wildcard playoff defeat to the Tennessee Titans, and a relatively weak division almost certainly ensures that the 6-time Super Bowl champions will be in the playoffs in some capacity, but uncertainty at the quarterback position for the first time in decades, with a Brady replacement yet to be identified, means that it will likely be a bumpier ride than usual to the postseason. Head coach Bill Belichick, who drafted Brady to the Patriots in 2000 and oversaw all of the franchise's recent success, favours last season's back-up Jarrett Stidham to lead the team, but reports that general management is unconvinced by Belichick's choice means that the path forward is not yet clear for an organisation that prides itself on scrupulous preparation.
Last Season - Regular Season: 12-4 (AFC East Champions)
Postseason: Wildcard Playoff - Lost 20-13 at home to Tennessee Titans
Next Season Prediction - Regular Season: 10-6 (2nd in AFC East, qualifying for playoffs via wildcard)
The Challengers - Buffalo Bills
A breakout year for the Bills last season saw them reach the postseason for only the 2nd time in 19 years with a game to spare, after impressive wins over the Cowboys and the Steelers in the final weeks of the regular season. An overtime wildcard playoff defeat to the Texans having led 16-0 in the 3rd quarter was a disappointing way to end a breakthrough season for quarterback Josh Allen, who in his second year in the league passed for 20 touchdowns and ran for 9 more, a marked improvement on an inconsistent rookie campaign. A strong running game involving rookie Devin Singletary, 36-year-old veteran Frank Gore and Allen helped the team to a 9-3 record by Week 13 that at one point had them as contenders for not only the divisional title but for a top 2 seeding for the playoffs, but defeats to the Patriots and New York Jets in the final two weeks of the season put an end to such aspirations. Gore has now left for the Jets, but the arrival of generational talent Stefon Diggs at wide receiver from Minnesota provides Allen with the aerial offensive weapons needed to win the Bills their first AFC East title since 1995. A Week 16 home game against the Patriots could prove to be the title decider.
Last Season - Regular Season: 10-6 (2nd in AFC East)
Postseason: Wildcard Playoff - Lost 22-19 at home to Houston Texans
Next Season Prediction - Regular Season: 12-4 (1st in AFC East)
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The Outsiders - New York Jets
Last season began with rare optimism for Jets fans, with Le'veon Bell expected to be the franchise player to transform a struggling unit into divisional contenders. Bell instead had his worst season since turning professional, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and registering only 3 rushing touchdowns. 2nd-year quarterback Sam Darnold struggled with injury and keeping hold of the ball, throwing 13 interceptions and fumbling 11 times in his 13 starts, but the fact that he was still able to win 7 of those games suggests there is hope moving forward for the New Jersey-based franchise. However, with the uninspiring Adam Gase remaining as head coach and trade rumours surrounding All-Pro safety Jamal Adams intensifying, next season will likely be another year of mediocrity for a franchise for whom a winning season is fast becoming a rarity.
Last Season - Regular Season: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)
Next Season Prediction: 5-11 (4th in AFC East)
The Long Shot - Miami Dolphins
A season that started so bleakly actually transformed into a respectable rebuilding campaign for Miami, as fears of an 0-16 campaign subsided and were replaced with a fearless play style that culminated in the Dolphins beating the Patriots on the last day of the regular season in what would ultimately be Tom Brady's last non-playoff game in Foxborough. Still, a 5-11 record leaves plenty of room for improvement heading into 2020, and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should offer exactly that having been selected as the 5th overall pick by Miami in last month's draft. Tagovailoa was largely considered the best quarterback in college football last season until a hip injury prematurely ended his amateur career, and raised doubts as to whether he would be able to survive the rigours of the NFL. The Dolphins felt it was a risk worth taking and if Tua can stay fit and translate his college performances for Alabama, where he threw 87 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions across 3 years, into wins for Miami, then a winning season is not completely out of the question. The presence of the Bills and the Patriots in the same division makes a playoff push extremely unlikely, but finishing ahead of the Jets is a reasonable target for a young side that should only keep improving.
Last Season - Regular Season: 5-11 (4th in AFC East)
Next Season Prediction: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)
For the first time since 2001, the most successful franchise in the history of the NFL is not the overwhelming favourite to win the AFC East, after the legendary Tom Brady decided to end his 20-year stay in Boston and instead head down to sunny Florida with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Even with Brady at the helm, the Patriots largely relied on their defense to secure the division title last season, leading the league in takeaways and giving up the least yards per game (275). The defensive unit largely remaining intact offers a foundation to improve on last season's wildcard playoff defeat to the Tennessee Titans, and a relatively weak division almost certainly ensures that the 6-time Super Bowl champions will be in the playoffs in some capacity, but uncertainty at the quarterback position for the first time in decades, with a Brady replacement yet to be identified, means that it will likely be a bumpier ride than usual to the postseason. Head coach Bill Belichick, who drafted Brady to the Patriots in 2000 and oversaw all of the franchise's recent success, favours last season's back-up Jarrett Stidham to lead the team, but reports that general management is unconvinced by Belichick's choice means that the path forward is not yet clear for an organisation that prides itself on scrupulous preparation.
Last Season - Regular Season: 12-4 (AFC East Champions)
Postseason: Wildcard Playoff - Lost 20-13 at home to Tennessee Titans
Next Season Prediction - Regular Season: 10-6 (2nd in AFC East, qualifying for playoffs via wildcard)
The Challengers - Buffalo Bills
A breakout year for the Bills last season saw them reach the postseason for only the 2nd time in 19 years with a game to spare, after impressive wins over the Cowboys and the Steelers in the final weeks of the regular season. An overtime wildcard playoff defeat to the Texans having led 16-0 in the 3rd quarter was a disappointing way to end a breakthrough season for quarterback Josh Allen, who in his second year in the league passed for 20 touchdowns and ran for 9 more, a marked improvement on an inconsistent rookie campaign. A strong running game involving rookie Devin Singletary, 36-year-old veteran Frank Gore and Allen helped the team to a 9-3 record by Week 13 that at one point had them as contenders for not only the divisional title but for a top 2 seeding for the playoffs, but defeats to the Patriots and New York Jets in the final two weeks of the season put an end to such aspirations. Gore has now left for the Jets, but the arrival of generational talent Stefon Diggs at wide receiver from Minnesota provides Allen with the aerial offensive weapons needed to win the Bills their first AFC East title since 1995. A Week 16 home game against the Patriots could prove to be the title decider.
Last Season - Regular Season: 10-6 (2nd in AFC East)
Postseason: Wildcard Playoff - Lost 22-19 at home to Houston Texans
Next Season Prediction - Regular Season: 12-4 (1st in AFC East)
The Outsiders - New York Jets
Last season began with rare optimism for Jets fans, with Le'veon Bell expected to be the franchise player to transform a struggling unit into divisional contenders. Bell instead had his worst season since turning professional, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and registering only 3 rushing touchdowns. 2nd-year quarterback Sam Darnold struggled with injury and keeping hold of the ball, throwing 13 interceptions and fumbling 11 times in his 13 starts, but the fact that he was still able to win 7 of those games suggests there is hope moving forward for the New Jersey-based franchise. However, with the uninspiring Adam Gase remaining as head coach and trade rumours surrounding All-Pro safety Jamal Adams intensifying, next season will likely be another year of mediocrity for a franchise for whom a winning season is fast becoming a rarity.
Last Season - Regular Season: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)
Next Season Prediction: 5-11 (4th in AFC East)
The Long Shot - Miami Dolphins
A season that started so bleakly actually transformed into a respectable rebuilding campaign for Miami, as fears of an 0-16 campaign subsided and were replaced with a fearless play style that culminated in the Dolphins beating the Patriots on the last day of the regular season in what would ultimately be Tom Brady's last non-playoff game in Foxborough. Still, a 5-11 record leaves plenty of room for improvement heading into 2020, and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should offer exactly that having been selected as the 5th overall pick by Miami in last month's draft. Tagovailoa was largely considered the best quarterback in college football last season until a hip injury prematurely ended his amateur career, and raised doubts as to whether he would be able to survive the rigours of the NFL. The Dolphins felt it was a risk worth taking and if Tua can stay fit and translate his college performances for Alabama, where he threw 87 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions across 3 years, into wins for Miami, then a winning season is not completely out of the question. The presence of the Bills and the Patriots in the same division makes a playoff push extremely unlikely, but finishing ahead of the Jets is a reasonable target for a young side that should only keep improving.
Last Season - Regular Season: 5-11 (4th in AFC East)
Next Season Prediction: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)
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