2008 AFC East Predictions and Previews

Since the emergence of Tom Brady the New England Patriots have dominated the AFC east. Leading them to three super bowl championships this decade and what looks to be the best team in football again this year. Without question the Patriots are the in the drivers seat for another division championship. While the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins look to rebuild there teams. All three teams enter this season with young unproven quarterbacks that really can determine the overall success of there teams. Look for all three of these teams to play simple run control style offense to limit mistakes by there young quarterbacks. The overall reality is that the New England Patriots will once again dominate this division. Enough talk here are my 2008 NFL predictions and previews for the AFC east.

2008 New England Patriots
Head Coach Bill Belichek
2008 Record 15-1 AFC east champs

Key Additions; LB Victor Hobson; TE Marcus Pollard; CB Jason Webster; Lewis Sanders; CB Tank Williams

Key Losses; S Eugene Wilson; CB Asante Samuel; WR Donte Stallworth; CB Randall Gay; LB Rosevelt colvin; TE Kyle Brady

Top three fantasy stars
1.QB Tom Brady - Expect 40-45 touchdown passes, 4,500 passing yards, top QB on your draft board, best value mid-late 1st round.
2.WR Randy Moss- Expect around 90 catches, 1,500 yards, 15-20 touchdowns, top WR on your draft board, best value late 1st round.
3 WR Wes Welker- Expect 90-100 catches, 1,200 yards, 10-15 touchdowns, great value for point per catch leagues, best value 3rd round.

2008 NFL Prediction: . The Patriots have put the shame of last years Super Bowl defeat to the New York Giants behind them and are coming back with all the same offensive guns blazing. If the Patriots can avoid injury's to there key players Brady, Moss, Welker they will still outscore most teams. The Patriots are returning all five starting offensive linemen from last season and look for 3rd year running back Lawrence Maroney to have a breakout year. The Patriots defense however could take a step back with the departure of Pro Bowl CB Asante Samuel to the Eagles. The front seven remains the backbone of the defense but continues to get slower and older. Rookie LB Jarod Meyo could play a key role for the defense as he gives them much needed youth and speed at the position. However the 2008 New England Patriots get the privilege of playing in the worst division in football which should give them an automatic 6 wins. The other 10 games they only play four playoff teams from last season. Look for the Patriots to get home field advantage and just maybe win a fourth trophy this decade.

2008 New York Jets
Head Coach: Eric Mangini
2008 Record 7-9 2nd place AFC east

Key Additions: G Alan Faneca; C Damien Woody; LB Calvin Pace; TE Bubba Franks; DT Kris Jenkins

Key Losses: LB Victor Hobson; WR Justin McCareins, T Anthony Clement; LB Jon Vilma

Top three fantasy stars:
1.RB Thomas Jones-Expect 1,200 plus yards rushing, maybe 10 TDs, 50 catches 400 yards receiving, best used as 2nd-3rd starter, 3rd-4th round value.
2. D NY Jets defense-Expect good match ups because of a poor schedule, average sacks and turnover's, make sure to grab another quality defense to rotate.
3. WR Jericho Cotchery- Expect similar numbers to last season 80 catches for 1,200 yards, 7-10 touchdowns, good for the occasional start, late round pick

2008 NFL Prediction: The 2008 N.Y Jets enter the season with A lot of questions to answer. Tons of young talent on both sides of the ball mixing with established veteran play could make the Jets tougher than you think. The biggest question is starting QB Kellen Clemens will have to play better than is 2007 campaign where he passed for 1,500 yards, 5 touchdown's to 10 interceptions in 10 starts. Look for RB Thomas Jones to look better than the average running back that he is because of a much improved offensive line. Guard Alan Faneca will bring much needed veteran leadership to A young o-line and will anchor the Jets ground game. Wide receivers Cole's and Cotchery are a solid 1-2 punch but neither are game changers. The Jets also invested A lot into improving there poor defensive play from last season. Starting with replacing Jon Vilma with Calvin Pace, adding the often injured Kris Jenkins but is a force when healthy, plus 1st round draft choice Vernon Gholston could be a force at OLB. The secondary is improving as well Kerry Rhodes is top notch safety already and 2nd year corner Darrelle Revis was outstanding last season and will be better this year. With all the improvements the Jets made this off season the key is still in Kellen
Clemens hands. can he limit his mistakes, and make plays when he needs to. Mark my words if he can the Jets will be a wild card team behind a great offensive line and what could be a top 10 defense. If he can't they won't win more than 7 games.

2008 Buffalo Bills
Head Coach: Dick Jauron
2008 Record: 6-10 3rd place AFC east

Key Additions: DT Marcus Stroud; DT Spencer Johnson; DB Will James; LB Kawika Mitchell

Key Losses: CB Jerametrius Butler; RB Anthony Thomas; DB Jason Webster

Top three fantasy stars
1. RB Marshawn Lynch- Expect 1,350 rushing yards, 40 catches 300 yards, 13 total touchdowns, pending legal problems be informed before hand, late 2nd
2. WR Lee Evans - Expect 70 catches for 1,250 yards and 8 touchdowns, his value could be better our worse depending QB play, best as 2nd WR, 4th round
3. D Bills defense- Expect average points, Dick Jaurons defenses can sometimes surprise you, a solid back up defense can platoon sometimes, late rounds

2008 NFL Prediction: The 2008 Buffalo Bills enter the season with a little bit confidence behind coach Dick Jauron the Bills have been a hard nosed, tough, and have competed above there talent level. Second year QB Trent Edwards is the clear cut starter after decent rookie season he went 5-5 last season in 10 starts
threw for 1,630 yards, 7 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. RB Marshawn Lynch really showed that he can run at the NFL level in his rookie year rushing for over 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns. As long as his legal problems (hit and run in June) don't get in the way expect him to become top a top 10 RB. Wide receiver Lee Evans could be a franchise WR if he could get consistent quarterback play. The addition of 2nd round draft choice James Hardy a 6'6 220 lbs WR should help Trent Edwards as well as relive Lee Evans from double teams. The offensive line needs to play better than last season but the Bills did nothing to address this so expect to have major holes as they did in 2007. The defense for the Bills this year could be much improved DT Marcus Stroud is a beast in the middle and should free DE Aaron Schobel to wreak havoc on opposing QB's. A lot will rest 2nd year pro Paul Posluszny to anchor a bad LB group. 1st round draft choice Leodis McKelvin will play the nickel role while Jabari Greer and Terence McGee start. Coach Dick Jauron has reputation for getting the best out of his players, the problem with that is the Bills don't have a ton of talent. At best the Bills will fight, scratch, and claw there way to a 8-8 season but will probably win 6 games.

2008 Miami Dolphins
Head Coach: Tony Sparano
2008 Record 2-14 4th place AFC east

Key Additions: DT Jason Ferguson; WR Ernest Wilford; C Rex Hadnot; QB Josh McCown; LB Reggie Torbor; DB Keith Davis; LB Akin Ayodele;

Key Losses: LB Zack Thomas; DE Jason Taylor; WR Marty Booker; QB Trent Green; DT Keith Traylor; LB Donnie Spragan; SS Lance Schulters

Top three fantasy stars:
1. RB- Ronnie Brown Expect 2,000 all purpose yards, 1,300 rushing yards, 75 catches for 700 yards, if he stays healthy will be huge, mid-late 2nd round
Nobody else don't draft another Miami Dolphin trust me there will be no value outside of Ronnie Brown

2008 NFL Prediction: The 2008 Miami Dolphins enter the season simply bad. The worst team in football last season has returned to claim its crown again. Lets get the positives out of the way first, Bill Parcells is now running the front office and he will build a winning team eventually, Ronnie Brown is a feature back in the NFL, and 1st round draft choice LT Jake Long could be the cornerstone needed to build this team. The offense will have to depend on 2nd year QB John Beck our 3rd round draft choice Chad Henne to lead them this season. Either QB will be throwing to young WR's Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan both raw and unproven the only proven receiving option is RB Ronnie Brown. As for the defense there is no leader the departures of DE Jason Taylor and LB Zack Thomas
will kill this defense. Miami will be nothing more than a door mat in 2008 it wouldn't surprise if they had the worst offense and defense in the entire NFL.