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Even with the Jets’ season basically ending when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the fourth snap in Week 1 final season, the AFC East nonetheless managed to ship two groups to the postseason.
Now, Rodgers is again with the Jets, and the Payments and Dolphins hope to construct off profitable seasons. The Patriots, in the meantime, seem like within the midst of a whole rebuild.
Take a look at our AFC East preview and finest wager, with present win totals and odds through DraftKings.
Payments: 10.5 wins (+130/-155)
The Payments have completed first within the division in every of the previous 4 years.
Nonetheless, they’ve had heartbreak after heartbreak within the playoffs, and their path to the Tremendous Bowl received’t get any simpler this season.
Buffalo misplaced some key expertise this offseason, together with large receivers Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs.
Including Chase Claypool, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the large receiver room will hold the offense afloat, however don’t be shocked in the event that they battle at first of the season on that facet of the ball.
Dolphins: 9.5 wins (-135/+115)
Despite the fact that the Dolphins have been steamrolled within the playoffs at Arrowhead final season, it’s exhausting to label their season (11-6) as something apart from an general success.
Tua Tagovailoa threw for probably the most yards of any NFL quarterback, whereas additionally ending third in completion proportion amongst quarterbacks who performed at the least 16 video games.
Tagovailoa was terrific, but it surely actually helps to have Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. as targets. The well being of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, two of the quickest working backs within the NFL, might be paramount.
The Dolphins’ most outstanding query marks might be their capacity to remain wholesome and whether or not or not their defensive replacements for Christian Wilkins and Xavien Howard can bridge the hole.
Jets: 9.5 wins (-150/+125)
Although the Jets needs to be considerably higher with the return of Rodgers, that doesn’t imply the offense will hit its ceiling.
Between Rodgers’ minicamp absence and the truth that he’s unlikely to seem in any preseason video games, it’s to be decided whether or not or not he could have an applicable quantity of chemistry together with his offensive weapons.
Nonetheless, the Jets’ protection, led by cornerback Sauce Gardner, might be one of many prime models within the league and might help the offense overcome a doubtlessly gradual begin to the season.
Patriots: 4.5 wins (-150/+125)
After logging simply 4 wins final yr throughout the worst season of Invoice Belichick’s profession, the Patriots parted methods with their future Corridor of Fame coach. Jerod Mayo has a tricky act to observe.
After hiring Mayo as head coach, discovering a quarterback was prioritized. Final season, the Patriots had horrendous quarterback play, partly resulting from personnel but additionally a product of a morbidly poor roster.
New England traded Mac Jones to Jacksonville in March and snagged North Carolina’s Drake Maye within the draft. Nonetheless, Maye won’t have a lot assist for the reason that workforce parted methods with WR DeVante Parker and TE Mike Gesicki this offseason. Anticipate one other tough season forward.
AFC East finest wager
If the Jets can win seven video games with Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle beneath middle, they actually can string collectively 10 wins with Rodgers on the helm.
Rodgers threw an uncharacteristic 12 interceptions in 2022, however traditionally, he’s terribly environment friendly and turnover-averse. Actually, he had not thrown greater than eight interceptions for the reason that 2010 season earlier than his final yr with the Packers, who had important large receiver points on the time.
Between a probable regression by the Payments, a high-octane offense and an overwhelming defensive unit that can inevitably get extra relaxation this season, the Jets ought to simply win 11 or 12 video games.
Suggestion: Jets over 9.5 wins (-150, DraftKings).
