Leach's Lists: 2013 NFL Team Preview Capsules - AFC East
By: Dan Leach
@dtmleach
As football fans can literally taste opening weekend of the NFL, I am going to run through all 32 teams and eight divisions to get you even more ramped up. I will take a look at who I think is going to win each division, who the surprises will be, and the best futures values for 2013. Let's continue with the AFC East.
AFC East
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2012 12-4 WON AFC EAST- LOST AFC TITLE GAME)
The Pats have had a frustrating offseason to say the least. First, they lose one of their heart and soul players in Wes Welker to the Broncos; then they had the devastation that was the Aaron Hernandez situation. Needless to say the team is very ready to get on the field and leave all the negativity behind.
The Pats come into 2013 with some holes on offense, but with much of the same team that had the talent to win it all last season. Tom Brady is simply one of the best in the game and head coach Bill Belichick is one of the few coaches in the game that is actually worth a couple wins himself. The key for the Pats is going to be getting off to a good start after a very troubling offseason.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC EAST 2/7 2
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +300 7.4
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +700 6.5
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 11.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- The Patriots will be right in it until the end and will face some more pressure in the division than in recent years, but should have no problem winning it. PREDICTION 10-6 AFC East champs
MIAMI DOLPHINS (2012 7-9 SECOND PLACE AFC EAST- MISSED PLAYOFFS)
The Fins have seemed to be on the edge of contention for the last few years, but have never really been able to put it together. Now, as they enter 2013, it seems like they have the talent and the belief to take them towards the next step, which is qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2008.
Joe "Regis" Philbin enters his second year as head man, as does QB Ryan Tannehill, and the second year is often where a move towards excellence is made. The Dolphins D has some major question marks, especially at LB, but should be a good enough overall unit to keep Miami in a lot of games.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC EAST +400 4
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +2300 3.5
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +5000 4
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 7.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- The Fins will be competitive this year and will even flirt with a postseason berth late into the year, but in the end they are still at least one year away from getting back to the postseason dance. PREDICTION 8-8
NEW YORK JETS (2012 6-10 THIRD PLACE AFC EAST-MISSED PLAYOFFS)
Let's be honest, the Jets are a mess. Yes, QB Geno Smith might end up being the franchises savior, but it won't be this year. Rex Ryan might be a good coach, but his value has been dropping like a barbell into the East River over the past couple of years, and if the Jets don't have a successful season this year, he might be on his way out.
The offense will have trouble scoring, the defense lost their best player in Darrelle Revis and has a ton of youth on it, and they play in a division where both teams they have a chance to compete with (Bills and Dolphins) have improved while they have gotten worse.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC EAST +1000 3.5
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +2500 4
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +6000 2
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 6.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- It is going to be a long season in NY/NJ for the J-E-T-S.
PREDICTION 6-10
BUFFALO BILLS (2012 6-10 THIRD PLACE AFC EAST- MISSED PLAYOFFS)
The Bills can best be described as an enigma; a team that seems to have what it takes to make the playoffs, but then in each of the last two seasons, has the bottom drop out on it when things finally seem to be clicking. Now that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has moved on, the Bills fans, for all their frustration with him, now find themselves with Kevin Kolb as the starter, which in my opinion is a big step back.
Rookie E.J Manuel might be the answer in the future, but it is unlikely he will have a huge impact this season. First year head coach Doug Marrone brings over some much needed energy after a good run at Syracuse. There will be growing pains this season, but the future does look brighter for a team that has not made the playoffs since 1999.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC EAST +1200 3.5
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +4500 3
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +10000 1
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 6.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- The Bills will be exciting to watch, but then the defense will come onto the field. There is definitely promise in Orchard Park, but this year will be about learning from mistakes and moving forward. PREDICTION 6-10
