When it comes to NFL divisions, the AFC East has been anything but competitive this past decade.
In fact, the AFC East has been described as the Patriots, then three other teams, for too long.
While the passing of the dynasty torch has not yet come, it is close.
It is my prediction that soon, possibly this year; the AFC East will become the NFC East of football.
It is becoming a division ripe with three or four teams that can challenge for a playoff spot at any time.
That is not unlike how the NFC East has had the Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins all battling for playoff positions the last few years.
The New England Patriots were 11-5 last season.
They return their veteran core that has been essential to their Super Bowl years and current dynasty standing.
Tom Brady, MVP and poster boy of the league returns to his starting spot.
They are undoubtedly the favorites to take the division back from the surprising Dolphins.
Don’t bet the house on it though.
The New York Jets made enough moves to become a factor.
Rex Ryan appears to be an excellent candidate for head coach and may bring some discipline and defense to a team that was on the verge of a break out year last season.
The defense will be much improved, and their 3-4 scheme got major free agent help this off season.
However, just how good the Jets are rests on the quarterback spot.
One they hope to fill with rookie Mark Sanchez, who has reportedly done well in camp, so far.
The Buffalo Bills are a dark horse candidate.
Six weeks into last season ESPN was claiming the Bills were a shoe-in for the playoffs, division and a Super Bowl possibility.
After a 5-1 start and an excellent six game showing from second year QB Trent Edwards, that seemed to be the path they were taking.
However the Bills completely blew their lead on the division and any chances at breaking a playoff drought rivaled only by the Detroit Lions.
With a healthy Trent Edwards returning, a revamped offensive line, Terrell Owens catching passes and paired with running back Marshawn lynch and wide receiver Lee Evans, the Bills look much improved and have a chip on their shoulder the size of western New York.
The Dolphins are reigning division champs, but with a major asterisk.
They only got in off a tie breaker with New England as both closed out the season 11-5.
They will be out to prove they are for real this season.
They drafted Pat White, quarterback out of West Virginia, and return quarterback Chad Pennington.
Pat White will help out the wild cat offense that America learned to love last season.
Pennington will continue to be a steady figure head and that defense can only get better.
The AFC East is at a stand still. It will be the division to watch in the latter months of the season. The competition will be the best it has ever been and rivalries will be renewed.
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