AFC East: NFL Team-by-Team Season Preview
Adam Martin 
Time to dive into the fourth and final division from the AFC here, as our NFL betting expert Adam Martin concludes his look at the AFC.
It's the AFC East, four teams set to battle it out, and it continues the run of NFL season previews from Adam, exclusively available on Free Bets.
AFC East Season Preview
We haven’t got long now till the start of the season, and we have another division to preview.
The AFC East has been a predictable win for the Buffalo Bills over the last few years but are things changing?
Here we go over each team’s off-season moves and look at if they can make a challenge for the division.
New England Patriots
Patriot fans have struggled since Tom Brady left them back in 2020. The dynasty came to an end when he went, and it’s been a hard watch ever since. Last year they only managed to go 4-13 for the season but it’s not all doom and gloom.
Drake Maye had a decent rookie season, and it looks like the Patriots have now got their quarterback for the future. On top of that the Patriots went out and got themselves a new head coach. Mike Vrabel had success with the Tennessee Titans and the ex-patriot’s player should have time in New England.
He has bought back Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator and Terrell Williams is staying on as defensive coordinator. McDaniels was a large part of the Patriots dynasty under Bill Belichick and has always been a good offensive coordinator. Williams oversaw a decent Patriots defense anyway and so deserves another go.
In free agency the Patriots had plenty of money to spend and they made it count. Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins have come in to help the wide receiver room and Morgan Mosses should improve, what was a poor offensive line.
They also spent on the defense by bringing in some veterans. Milton Williams and Harold Landry should provide a decent pass rush. Also, Robert Spilane and Carlton Davis will help the secondary. All these guys are upgrades on what the Patriots had last season.
They did lose some players in free agency, but they were mainly older guys who they needed to move on from. David Godchaux, Jonathon Jones, Sion Takitaki, JaWhaun Bentley and Deatrich Wise have all departed.
The Patriots had one of the busiest draft weekends in the league with 11 picks in total. On the first two days it was all about improving the offence and helping their rookie quarterback.
Will Campbell was taken in the first round and the offensive tackle from LSU will be tasked to protect Maye’s left side. He was great in college and considering the big need at left tackle for the Patriots the pick made sense.
They then went and drafted Treveyon Henderson in round two and Kyle Williams in round three. Both guys should make an immediate impact on the team and Henderson could be an amazing running back.
After that they mainly took depth pieces, although centre, Jared Wilson, could be a good piece for them. Also, Bradyn Swinson should make a good option for them at edge/linebacker.
Verdict
It might sound crazy to say that a 4-13 team from last year can make the playoffs, but this team does have that potential. They have one of the easiest schedules this season and they really have made big strides.
Mike Vrabel is a top coach, and they have improved in almost every area since last season. The playoffs might just be out of reach for them this season but if things click with their new players early then a winning record is achievable.
Odds
New York Jets
The Aaron Rodgers experience is over in New York now and the Jets have had a bit of a rebuild. Unfortunately for Jets fans it didn’t work with Rodgers and last season ended with a 5-12 record.
There has been a lot of turnover in this roster now. None more so than with new head coach Aaron Glenn taking over the reins. The ex-Detroit Lions defensive coordinator deserves his chance as a head coach and will bring a strong philosophy to the Jets.
He has also persuaded Tanner Engstrand to come with him from Detroit to be his offensive coordinator. Steve Wilks has also come in to be the defensive coordinator as well. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach will bring plenty of experience to the coaching room.
In free agency the Jets had a big clear out of older veterans with Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Morgan Mosses and Tyron Smith all leaving the offence. The defence also saw Haason Reddick, Javon Kinlaw, CJ Mosley and Solomon Thomas move on.
They did re-sign some of their big names with Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson earning big money deals. They also bought in Justin Fields to be their main quarterback for the season. Also, Brandon Stephens, Byron Cowart and Andre Cisco will all bolster the defence.
The draft was a reasonably quiet affair for the Jets as they only had seven picks. Taking Armand Membou in the first round is a great pick though. Membou is a massive human being who excelled in college at right tackle. He will be great for the Jets.
Mason Taylor was taken in round two and is a tight end who should do well for the Jets who needed one with Tyler Conklin going. They also added to their defence by drafting Azareye’h Thomas, Malachi moore, Francisco Manigoa and Tyler Baron. Thomas will start but the rest will mainly be depth guys.
Verdict
With a lot of change at the Jets there are limitations to what you feel can happen this season. Aaron Glenn needs to develop a culture in the locker room and the moves that have been made should help that.
They need to make sure that they are hard to beat and don’t just get rolled over by the opposition. It’s unlikely that they will get many more wins than their 5-12 record last season. However, if they can get seven or eight and become tougher than that’s a good year for them.
Odds
Miami Dolphins
Another team that didn’t have a great year last season was the Miami Dolphins. Finishing 8-9 and out of the playoffs was not what they were hoping for. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans it doesn’t look like this season will be much better.
Mike McDaniel is back as head coach for another year, and it does feel that if they don’t have a great start then he will be on the hot seat. He has got Frank Smith as his offensive coordinator and Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator back as well.
In free agency they lost a lot of their defensive side which will be tough to replace as statistically they were not bad. Kendall Fuller, Jordan Poyer, Anthony Walker, Calais Campbell, Da’Shawn Hand, Jevon Holland, Emmanuel Ogbah and Jalen Ramsey have all gone.
They have replaced some of them by bringing in Jack Jones, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Mike Hilton. However, none of them would be considered upgrades. Re-signing Bradley Chubb was a big positive and bringing in James Daniels should help the offensive line.
In the draft the Dolphins didn’t have many top picks either. They picked in round one and two but then didn’t have anything till round five. Kenneth Grant will be great on the defensive line for them though. The Michigan defensive tackle was great in college and that should be translated to the NFL.
They also picked Jonah Savaiinaea in round two who will help bolster the offensive line. The rest of their picks will be more depth pieces, although running back Ollie Gordon could be a good backup to De’Von Achane.
After the draft the Dolphins also traded Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Trading away both guys has only made the team weaker and although Fitzpatrick should be good it’s not enough.
Verdict
It feels like things are not great in Miami now. Mike McDaniel could be on the hot seat if things don’t start well and Tyreek Hill is always making comments that he isn’t happy. Also, you always must worry about the health of Tua Tagovailoa.
They have got bigger on both of their lines which should make them harder to beat. However, it doesn’t feel good in Miami, and it could all unravel quickly this season.
Odds
Buffalo Bills
Another good season came to an end in the AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs. They went 13-4 in the regular season but couldn’t get past their familiar foe.
Sean McDermott is back as head coach, and he has kept both his offensive and defensive coordinators in Joe Brady and Bobby Babich. Keeping that continuity will help the Bills be good again.
In free agency the Bills didn’t lose many players that would hurt them. Von Miller has gone but he is getting older, and they have also replaced him.
They did re-sign some of their top talent though, the biggest of all being quarterback Josh Allen. They have also bought back Matt Milano, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford to keep the defense strong.
They have added to their already strong roster though, especially on the defense. Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, Shaq Thompson, Tre-Davious White, Larry Ogunjobi and Dane Jackson have all joined.
The Bills went defense heavy in the draft as well using their first five picks on refreshing that side of the ball. Maxwell Hairston, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson and Deone Walker should all have an impact this season.
Verdict
Obviously, the goal of this season for the Bills is to win the Superbowl. It will probably be the goal all the time that Josh Allen is playing for them. However, getting to the Superbowl has eluded them so far.
It would be shocking if they don’t win the division again and get to the AFC Championship game. They have an efficient running game and solid defense. This might finally be there year.
Odds
The latest Super Bowl betting has the Bills amongst the favourites to win the lot, before the season begins.
AFC East Betting Odds
The full list of odds for the AFC East division are below, with the Buffalo Bills strong favourites with UK betting sites to win the division.
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