A Look Back at AFC East Predictions

Do not let their poor pre-season record fool you. They are the best team in the AFC East by a considerable margin. However, a second successive undefeated regular season is highly unlikely. The Patriots will clinch their seventh division title this decade, and it will appear almost effortless.

What actually happened: (11-5)

Tom Brady suffered an injury in the season opener and never returned to the field. Matt Cassel did a creditable job, but it was not enough to maintain the stranglehold on the AFC East. The Patriots won eleven games and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Prediction: New York Jets (9-7)

Prior to the Brett Favre acquisition, the post-season was simply a pipe dream. With one of the NFL's most prominent quarterbacks of all-time taking the snaps, the Jets are now perceived as a Wild Card threat as opposed to an also-ran.

What actually happened: (9-7)

The Jets record on paper is exactly what I expected. However, I felt as if they would be sluggish out of the box and finish strong, prompting Brett Favre to return for another year after narrowly missing the playoffs. It was the complete opposite.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills (8-8)

It seems as if the Bills are mired in mediocrity. They have some young talent on both sides of the ball, specifically the offense, but they will fall short of qualifying for the playoffs. Their decade-long post-season dearth will continue.

What actually happened: (7-9)

After a 4-1 start, many expected the Bills to oust the Patriots from the AFC East throne. They fell back into mediocrity, losing eight of their final eleven games, hence they missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.

Prediction: Miami Dolphins (5-11)

Fortunately, for fans in south Florida, things can only improve for the Miami Dolphins. The Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sporano regime commences, as they had to clean up the disarray that had mounted for nearly a decade. The Dolphins are better than they were in 2007, but they are still the bottom feeders in the AFC East.

What actually happened: (11-5)

It is doubtful that anyone in their right mind projected the Dolphins would win the AFC East. They made us all look like fools. Chad Pennington deserves to be mentioned in the NFL MVP discussions, and Tony Sporano in the Coach of the Year discussions.