AFC East Mid-Season Review

New England Patriots (6-2)
Take away your two top receivers, veteran linebacker, clutch kicker, and assistant coach and what do you get? Just another dominating football team on their way to a division title. Even if Tom Brady and the New England Patriots only beat teams with losing records for the rest of the season, they will still go 12-4. New England fans would have preferred a victory last week against Indianapolis that could have helped grab them home field advantage. With Tom Brady's record in a dome (undefeated) a playoff game at Indianapolis may not be a bad thing.
One of the easiest schedules in football will give New England at the least a 12-4 record and a home game in January.

New York Jets (4-4)
The feel good story of the AFC, Eric Mangini will not get to the playoffs but their four wins is already more than most preseason predictions. Leon Washington may turn into a starting running back before year end and Chad Pennington is managing a much improved offense from least year.
It may not be a playoff year but it is a great foundation for Mangini and the New York Jets to build a future. Their light schedule and above average play could get them 9 wins this year. Unfortunately for them it will take 11 to make the playoffs.

Buffalo Bills (3-5)
A solid defense is the victim of a very poor offense. The loss of Willis McGahee for 3-4 weeks with broken ribs won't help. J.P. Losman and company just don't have the talent to compete in this league. The Buffalo Bill front office will need to start thinking about getting some offense into the frozen tundra to bring back some fans or they may be going bottom up.
It's cold, it's snowy, and it is boring. Buffalo will be lucky to get 3 more wins. How about those Sabres?

Miami Dolphins (2-6)
The biggest disappointment in football in the first half of the season showed signs of why they were predicted as playoff potential last Sunday. Nick Saban's defense continued its spectacular play and its offense was not horrible. Jason Taylor is still one of the top defensive players in football and Joey Harrington is finally getting a chance to play with a decent supporting staff. Add Ronnie Brown to the mix and the Miami Dolphins second half of the season will be much better than the first half.
Hopefully they can build some momentum off of their major upset over the Chicago Bears. They will need it with the toughest second half schedule of all the AFC East teams. The playoffs are out but a great finish can keep them out of the division cellar.