AFC East Predictions 2007

New York Jets - 11-5

Schedule

1. W - New England
2. L - at Baltimore
3. W - Miami
4. W - at Buffalo
5. W - at NY Giants
6. L - Philadelphia
7. W - at Cincinnati
8. W - Buffalo
9. W - Washington
10. bye
11. L - Pittsburgh
12. W - at Dallas
13. W - at Miami
14. W - Cleveland
15. L - at New England
16. L - at Tennessee
17. W - Kansas City

Much has been made of the the Jets weak schedule last season, and the increase in difficulty for this season. I don't believe that this tells the whole story. Yes, the strength of schedule for the Jets is greater this year, but that is using last year's records. The NFL is not nicknamed "Not For Long" for no reason. Things change fast, and last years dominant teams can become this years underachievers.

Another consideration is that the Jets do not travel past the central timezone once. They have an "away" game against the Giants at the Meadowlands and other away games at nearby places like Philadelphia, New England, Buffalo, Baltimore. The lack of long travel will help keep the Jets focused and help moral.

Combine a travel-friendly schedule with a year's experience in the Mangini system and the Jets are primed to make some noise this season.

New England Patriots - 9-7

Schedule

1. L - at NY Jets
2. W - San Diego
3. W - Buffalo
4. W - at Cincinnati
5. W - Cleveland
6. W - at Dallas
7. W - at Miami
8. W - Washington
9. L - at Indianapolis
10. bye
11. L - at Buffalo
12. L - Philadelphia
13. L - at Baltimore
14. L - Pittsburgh
15. W - NY Jets
16. W - Miami
17. L - at NY Giants

This is the season where the wheels come off of thus dynasty. You can already see the start. Richard Seymour was placed on the PUP list and is out at least until week seven, but almost certainly longer. Rodney Harrison has been suspended for four games for taking performance enhancing drugs. Tom Brady is working with an entirely new receiving corps, but due to minor injures hasn't had much time in training camp to grow a report with them.

This has also been the first year of the Belichick era where the Patriots were active in the blue chip free agent market. This goes against all the past blueprints for the Patriots success. You have to wonder if Belichick is growing a bit desperate for one last Super Bowl before he retires.

Don't forget the Patriots will have Randy being Randy, which won't go nearly as well as Manny being Manny. Tom Brady is a stronger leader than McNabb, but don't think that a self-serving receiver won't affect his confidence. Before the season is over, Brady may be wishing that he had Reche Caldwell back.

Buffalo Bills - 7-9

Schedule

1. W - Denver
2. L - at Pittsburgh
3. L - at New England
4. L - NY Jets
5. W - Dallas
6. bye
7. W - Baltimore
8. L - at NY Jets
9. L - Cincinnati
10. W - at Miami
11. W - New England
12. L - at Jacksonville
13. L - at Washington
14. W - Miami
15. L - at Cleveland
16. W - NY Giants
17. L - at Philadelphia

This is the make or break season for JP Losman. He must show that the progress he made towards the end of last season was not a fluke. His only problem is that he still lacks secondary weapons beyond Lee Evans. When Evans is under double or even triple coverage, his one option may be dump offs to Marshawn Lynch.

On defense the Bills have an emerging star in Donte Whitner, but they are completely replacing their linebacking corps and are still week on the defensive line.

This is a team that could sneak into their first playoffs since the Clinton Administration, but then you have to remember that this is a team coached by Dick Jauron. That's good for an extra two losses or so.

Miami Dolphins - 2-14

Schedule

1. L - at Washington
2. L - Dallas
3. L - at NY Jets
4. W - Oakland
5. L - at Houston
6. L - at Cleveland
7. L - New England
8. L - NY Giants
9. bye
10. L - Buffalo
11. L - at Philadelphia
12. L - at Pittsburgh
13. L - NY Jets
14. L - at Buffalo
15. W - Baltimore
16. L - at New England
17. L - Cincinnati

At some point you'd think they'd luck into a decent starting quarterback. Even the Cowboys found Tony Romo. Instead the Dolphins will start their season with what seams like the 25th quarterback since Dan Marino. It's sad when a team thinks back to the Jay Fieldler era as the "good years". I can't imagine that the 37 year old Trent Green is a good choice for the future or present. Thanks to bypassing Brady Quinn for a glorified kick returner, the Dolphins still lack even the semblance of a quarterback of the future.

Back to Ted Ginn, what exactly were they thinking? Peter King has the scoop, We've got a great defense, and we're going to be in a lot of close games in the fourth quarter," Miami coach Cam Cameron said. "What if Ted can make six or seven plays like Devin Hester made last year? How many games could he change? Of course the question he didn't ask himself was what if Brady Quinn could make a few hundred plays like Ben Roethlisberger his rookie year ... how many game would that change? But seriously, if Ted Ginns upside is Devin Hester, you have big problems.

Read more of my picks by watching the NFL Predictions 2007 tag.

Back To Top

	AFC North Predictions 2007	Adam Hobson	Fri Sep 7	0
	NFC East Predictions 2007	Adam Hobson	Sun Sep 9	1