We all know that predicting the divisions before the season has started can be, well, lets say – tricky! However, it is one of the things that we love doing and something that serves as a reference point for the changing fortunes of teams throughout the year. Oh, and more importantly means we can refer back to the awful predictions each other made as the year goes on!.

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New England Patriots

We head in to the new season with the Patriots not looking as unbeatable as they have in recent years. In fact if we look at the bookies early odds for the Super Bowl they are sitting at 14, much higher than at this point last year. I hope Wes Welker continues his way back from injury or it leaves quarterback Tom Brady with fewer options.

The Patriots picked up some handy looking tight-ends in Anthony Hernandez and Ron Gronkowski that add dimension to the offense.

The schedule looks quite easy on them which may help mask the holes that they have, and lets face it you can never write them off. I am sure Pats’ fans are not too worried just yet.

New York Jets

Well, I thought the Jets were going to get off to a bad start last season and was proved wrong.  T-Rex seems to be able to get the best out of his players (I think I would try harder rather than face him off too) and while there is still rebuilding work to be done they did have a good run.

I don’t like the swap of Thomas Jones for LaDanian Tomlinson.  It might have made sense a while ago, but Jones was on great form and despite troubles his game will surely get better.  Jason Taylor will be lining up against the Dolphins in a Jets’ shirt and is a good steady force in an already good defence.  There were no real age issues evident last season and he should roll out another good performance this time around.  Mark Sanchez I am sure will settle now that he has some experience.

With their schedule there is a great chance of them making the play-offs again if they can hold it together.

Miami Dolphins

Last seasons’ Dolphins were a great team with holes in it.  Quarterback Chad Henne proved that with the experience of Pennigton in his ear he could make things happen.  There are few worries in my mind that he won’t be able to build on that this season.  That brings me to the signing of Brandon Marshall.  At last Henne can throw the ball with a hope that there is someone there to catch it!  Ok, too harsh, but Ted Ginn Jr dropped some important balls in some important games.  I really hope that they continue to make more of Davone Bess, as I think he has so much more to offer.

The addition of Mike Nolan as defensive co-ordinator and an OK schedule mean that there is a real race with the Jets this year.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills pulled off some good wins last season, but they are in tough company in the AFC East.  They have bought in some rookies which should improve the team, CJ Spiller and Alex Carrington being among them.

Trent Edwards needs to add a wider dimension to his game to keep hold of his position.  I get the feeling that there is more to come and hope that he shows it early on.

Really this is a building year; there is work to be done to take them up a notch.  That is not a bad thing though, building years for the Dolphins and Jets paid off and the same could happen here.

Summary

This is going to be close and tough.  There are three teams here which could take the AFC East title in my opinion and calling the finial standings is a long shot at the moment.

Predictions (made 10th June 2010)

# Team
1 New England Patriots
2 Miami Dolphins
3 New York Jets
4 Buffalo Bills

Image Credit: Khaijg (again!)