With the 2020 NFL regular season launching this week, we’re breaking down every division in a digestible fashion. Here’s a rundown of the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
2019 result: 10-6, 2nd place, wild-card loss
Major additions: WR Stefon Diggs, RB Zack Moss, G Brian Winters, edge Mario Addison, CB Josh Norman, DT Vernon Butler, LB A.J. Klein
Major losses: Edge Shaq Lawson, edge Jordan Phillips, CB Kevin Johnson, LB Lorenzo Alexander, CB E.J. Gaines (COVID-19), DT Star Lotulelei (COVID-19)
Why they could kick ass: QB Josh Allen is well-supported and has the talent to explode in his third season.
Why they could suck: The still-unproven Allen has completed just 56 percent of his passes in two seasons.
2020 prediction: 10-6, 1st place, divisional-round loss
Miami Dolphins
2019 result: 5-11, 4th place
Major additions: QB Tua Tagovailoa, CB Byron Jones, edge Shaq Lawson, LB Kyle Van Noy, LB Elandon Roberts, CB Noah Igbinoghene, OT Austin Jackson, G Ereck Flowers, RB Jordan Howard, RB Matt Breida
Major losses: Edge Taco Charlton
Why they could kick ass: They somehow went 5-3 in the second half of the 2019 season despite completely lacking talent, which indicates that they have the right coaching staff and recipe.
Why they could suck: They were outscored by a league-high 188 points last season, and are dealing with massive changes coming out of a severely limited offseason.
2020 prediction: 7-9, 3rd place
NFL Division Previews
New England Patriots
2019 result: 12-4, 1st place, wild-card loss
Major additions: QB Cam Newton, DT Beau Allen, S Kyler Dugger, LB Josh Uche
Major losses: QB Tom Brady, LB Kyle Van Noy, LB Jamie Collins Sr., LB Elandon Roberts, DT Danny Shelton, LB Dont’a Hightower (COVID-19), OT Marcus Cannon (COVID-19), S Patrick Chung (COVID-19)
Why they could kick ass: Bill Belichick is Bill Belichick, and it’s possible Newton is experiencing a rejuvenation.
Why they could suck: They lost five of their last nine games last season, and then were gutted by offseason losses.
2020 prediction: 8-8, 2nd place
New York Jets
2019 result: 7-9, 3rd place
Major additions: WR Breshad Perriman, WR Chris Hogan, WR Denzel Mims, OT Mekhi Becton, C Connor McGovern, OT George Fant, S Brad McDougald
Major losses: S Jamal Adams, WR Robby Anderson, G Brian Winters, OT Brandon Shell, LB C.J. Mosley (COVID-19)
Why they could kick ass: Quarterback Sam Darnold is entering his third season and has the talent to flourish behind a retooled offensive line. And for what it’s worth, they went 6-2 down the stretch last year.
Why they could suck: Adam Gase has posted a losing record in three of his four seasons as a head coach, Darnold has yet to put it together, and the defense is in rough shape sans Adams and Mosley.
2020 prediction: 6-10, 4th place