NFL AFC East Projections

Projected record (13-3)

The Patriots were glaringly close to perfection in 2007. On the football field, everything positive that could happen for the Patriots happened as they categorically dominated their opponents for most of the season. They had a few close encounters late in the regular season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Giants. Even in the nail biter games, they seemed invincible.

Tom Brady became the first quarterback to throw at least 50 touchdown passes in a single season, and wide receiver Randy Moss caught 23 touchdown passes, which is also a single-season record. The Patriots continued to saturate the record books, as the 2007 squad scored 589 total points, which is an NFL single-season record. Other than the Spygate scandal that dominated the headlines and nearly marred the Patriots' and head coach Bill Belichick's accomplishments, it was a positive regular season for the franchise.

In the playoffs, the Patriots had their hands full with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers before the Giants stunned them in the Super Bowl by a score of 17-14.

The majority of the Patriots vital components to their 2007 season will return in 2008, including Belichick. However, they did lose a few key veterans such as cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, as well as wide receiver Donte Stallworth.

The acquired former Detroit Lions cornerback Fernando Bryant, as well as former Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan. Jordan adds depth to an already respectable Patriots running game.

The Patriots are in no danger of being dethroned in the AFC East Division.

Overall Grade- A

2. New York Jets

Projected record (9-7)

With the acquisition of Brett Favre, expect the New York Jets to emerge from the land of obscurity and into the thick of the Wild Card race.

In 2007, the Jets were among the NFL's worst teams, and very few Jets fans held out much hope for the 2008 season. Favre provides Jets fans a justifiable reason to flock to the grandstands on Sunday afternoons, but the legend is not a magician. Prior to the Brett Favre acquisition, the Jets were somewhere between a 5-11 and a 7-9 team. With Favre's experience and leadership, the Jets could possible vie for a Wild Card berth, but nothing more. Do not expect them to become the New York Giants of 2008.

Favre has a couple of solid targets to throw to in Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. The Jets running game is adequate, as Thomas Jones and Leon Washington will handle the bulk of the running game. On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets have ample room for improvement. The team primarily runs the 3-4 defense. The addition of linebacker Calvin Pace significantly upgrades the Jets linebacker core. Additionally, they selected linebacker Vernon Gibson out of Ohio State sixth overall in the NFL draft.

Other key additions include tight end Bubba Franks, nose tackle Kris Jenkins, guard Alan Faneca, and fullback Tony Richardson. The Jets lost linebacker Jonathan Vilma, wide receiver Justin McCareins, and offensive tackle Anthony Clement.

The Jets will enter the third year of the Eric Mangini era.

Overall Grade- C

3. Buffalo Bills

Projected record (8-8)

Expect the Buffalo Bills to slightly improve upon their 2007 season. In 2007, rookie running back Marshawn Lynch was the bright spot in an offense that centered around the quarterback flip-flop with J.P. Losman and Trent Edwards. Neither quarterback gave Bills fans much reason for optimism heading into the 2008 season. It appears as if Edwards will lead the Bills on opening day.

The Bills expected much more than they got out of wide receiver Lee Evans in 2007, as he came out of the gate rather sluggish. Rookie receiver James Hardy may play a huge role in the Bills offense, since Josh Reed has never emerged as a reliable target.

Defensively, the Bills will execute their traditional 4-3 defensive scheme. Many will fault injuries for the Bills defensive flaws; however, even when healthy, they did not stand out.

The Bills added Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud to their roster during the off-season.

Dick Jauron returns for another season as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Overall Grade- C

4. Miami Dolphins

Projected record (5-11)

The Bill Parcells/Tony Sparano regime in Miami becomes a reality once the 2008 season commences. The Dolphins roster saw a host of changes, and for good reason. Following a 1-15 season, which was by far the worst in franchise history, the organization was in need of an absolute overhaul. The Dolphins hired Parcells to mend the chaos.

The Dolphins have taken the correct steps in enhancing the roster, starting with their NFL draft selections. Offensive tackle Jake Long should become an instantaneous contributor to strengthening the Dolphins offensive line. They selected quarterback Chad Henne out of Michigan as the 57^th overall pick. Henne will likely begin his NFL career as a third stringer to Chad Pennington and Josh McCown, but he appears to be the future quarterback in Miami.

Second year quarterback John Beck will probably end up as the odd-man out. After the Dolphins signed former New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, Beck, who was drafted by Cam Cameron, is the player that stands to lose the most. The new Dolphins management group acquired Pennington, McCown, and Henne.

If Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams remain healthy, the Dolphins backfield should produce solid numbers. The receiving core does not appear noteworthy on paper. Ted Ginn Jr, Derek Hagan, and Ernest Wilford are not exactly household names.

For the first time in twelve years, neither Zach Thomas nor Jason Taylor will line up on the defensive side of the ball for the Dolphins. The former heart and soul of the defense were not included in the future plans for the organization.

The Dolphins added defensive tackle Jason Ferguson.

Overall Grade- D