AFC East 2019: New England Patriots set to continue dominance - NFL preview

Standard Sport takes an in-depth look at each of the eight divisions ahead of the big kick-off...
Dynasty: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will hope to successfully defend their sixth Super Bowl title
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George Flood2 September 2019

Buffalo Bills

Last year they: Were unable to build on the highs of 2017, when the Bills reached the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Their offense proved an incredibly tough watch for long stretches, though on the other side of the ball there were certainly reasons to be cheerful as Buffalo finished second in total yards allowed and first in passing defense.

Ultimately it was a regression under Sean McDermott as the Bills went 6-10, but that miserly defense is a real building block.

Star player: Tre'Davious White - LeSean McCoy was once the obvious answer here, though he is not even with the team anymore after a poor 2018 and recent trade to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills boast a strong secondary featuring standout cornerback White, a durable match for any of the league’s top receiving talents who has amassed impressive statistics since being drafted in the first round in 2017.

John Brown Photo: Getty Images
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Major summer changes: After plenty of manoeuvring from general manager Brandon Beane over the last two years, the Bills have had a lot of cap space to play with in 2019 and added a whole host of players in free agency, the most notable of which included wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley, several offensive lineman, tight end Tyler Kroft and running backs Frank Gore and TJ Yeldon.

The biggest addition came through the draft, when the Bills used the No9 overall pick on dominant Houston Cougars defensive tackle Ed Oliver – widely regarded as a steal. Hopes are also high for fellow rookies Cody Ford and Devin Singletary.

Tre'Davious White Photo: Getty Images
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Storyline to follow: Just how good can this Bills defense be and how far can it take them?

The strength and depth of their secondary is well-documented, Oliver joins an experienced defensive line and Matt Milano, Tremaine Edmunds and Lorenzo Alexander constitute a strong linebacker group – albeit one that could be vulnerable to injury.

The development of cannon-armed but often inaccurate quarterback Josh Allen will certainly be something else to track, especially with the additions of Brown and Beasley.

Miami Dolphins

Last year they: Started well with three successive wins, but added only four thereafter en route to a disappointing 7-9 campaign – their second straight losing season.

That led to a significant behind the scenes shake-up, with head coach Adam Gase discarded after three years.

Xavien Howard Photo: Getty Images
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Star player: Xavien Howard - The Dolphins are notably short on star names as they begin what is sure to be a long and gruelling rebuild.

However, in Howard they boast a shutdown corner who finished in a three-way tie for first in interceptions in the NFL last season.

Major summer changes: The Dolphins have opted for New England Patriots defensive play-caller Brian Flores as Gase's replacement, while general manager Chris Grier has been handed more responsibility with executive vice-president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum reassigned.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was traded to the Tennessee Titans before Ryan Fitzpatrick joined as a free agent and Josh Rosen was acquired on draft night.

The Dolphins also signed talented but inconsistent and oft-injured wide receiver DeVante Parker to a new two-year contract and recently traded away key tackle Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans.

Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick Photo: Getty Images
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Storyline to follow: In addition to tracking how the latest Bill Belichick disciple fares in his first season as a head coach with a depleted roster and tough schedule, the quarterback situation is arguably the most intriguing subplot of what is expected to a difficult few months for Miami.

We know all about the ‘Fitzmagic’ experience at this point – care-free, risky and bold gunslinging that will rack up scores of lamentable interceptions as well as yards and eye-catching touchdowns.

If the veteran - named as starter for week one - manages to hold off Rosen for a significant portion of the season, then serious questions will be asked of the latter’s NFL capabilities.

The 22-year-old was unable to sufficiently develop and showcase his strengths on a dreadful Arizona Cardinals team last season before being discarded as No1 pick Kyler Murray rolled into town amid much fanfare.

It’s another less-than-ideal situation for Rosen, but he needs to make it work.

New England Patriots

Last year they: Hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a record-equalling sixth time courtesy of a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl of all time in which they managed to completely subdue one of the most prolific offensive units in history.

After a sluggish start to the regular season, the Patriots eventually took the second seed in the conference with an 11-5 record and beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round before a memorable overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead in the AFC title game.

Tom Brady Photo: Getty Images
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Star player: Tom Brady - Who else? The greatest quarterback in NFL history recently turned 42 and continues to defy both logic and Father Time.

Brady is entering his 20th professional season and is yet to show signs of a significant regression, though the Patriots did heavily feature talented rookie Sony Michel in the run game in 2018, finishing fifth in rushing yards per game.

Major summer changes: The retirement of star tight end Rob Gronkowski at 29 - should it not be reversed as some still expect despite 'Gronk' recently opening up on the extent of his injuries - deprives the Patriots of Brady's favourite and most trusted attacking option.

And while the Patriots look to be struggling at the position with Ben Watson suspended and Matt LaCosse having been dealing with an ankle issue, their receiver group - which features first-round pick N'Keal Harry - has received a timely boost by the recent return of Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman and the reinstatement of Josh Gordon.

Rob Gronkowski Photo: Getty Images
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Storyline to follow: Just how much longer can Brady go on for and will the Patriots continue to prioritise the run game?

The veteran signal-caller - the oldest player in the NFL not signed as a kicker - says he still plans to play until he is 45 and recently signed a two-year extension that will take him to 2021, while he is also slated to become a free agent for a brief period 2020.

New York Jets

Last year they: Could not sustain the momentum following a destruction of the Lions in Detroit that temporarily had Jets fans in dreamland.

Three successive losses followed – including to the then still downtrodden Cleveland Browns – and the team eventually failed to even match their 5-11 record from 2017, finishing 4-12 and bottom of the AFC East once again.

A 41-10 home stomping by a Bills team led by Matt Barkley was a real low point and head coach Todd Bowles was duly relieved of his duties at the end of his fourth year in charge.

Jamal Adams Photo: Getty Images
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Star player: Jamal Adams - While all eyes will be on the progression of quarterback Sam Darnold, Adams remains the Jets’ truly top talent.

One of the NFL’s very best safeties, he is a vocal leader and instrumental part of a defensive unit that needs to shown signs of improvement under the fiery Gregg Williams if Gang Green are to make a sufficient leap forward this year.

Adams is versatile and even recently offered to help solve the Jets’ injury crisis at cornerback.

Major summer changes: The appointment of Adam Gase – fired by the Dolphins after amassing a 23-25 record over three seasons – as Bowles’ replacement raised more than a few eyebrows, as did the decision to fire general manager Mike Maccagnan three weeks after the draft. He was replaced by Philadelphia Eagles vice-president of player personnel Joe Douglas.

Running back Le’Veon Bell and CJ Mosley are the headline player additions, while there is much excitement regarding the potential impact of No3 overall pick Quinnen Williams.

Sam Darnold Photo: Getty Images
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Storyline to follow: The evolution of Darnold from his rookie to sophomore year should be fascinating to watch.

While his first season in the league certainly was not without its trials and tribulations, he continued to flash glimpses of the serious potential previously showcased at USC and proved very impressive down the stretch.

Gase has waxed lyrical about Darnold since taking the job and the sky seems to be the limit for the former Trojan, provided the Jets’ offensive can stay healthy. An underrated receiving corps featuring the likes of Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jamison Crowder should thrive.

How the offense runs with the ultra-talented but presumably slightly rusty Bell - who sat out the entire 2018 season amid a high-profile contract dispute in Pittsburgh - on deck will also be intriguing to note.

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