NFL Power Rankings: Information about each team in the AFC East
By Tadi Abedje
New England Patriots:
The Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl Championship run where they came back from 28-3 down to win in the first overtime in Super Bowl history led by arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady and the greatest coach, Bill Belichick. The 40 year old has shown that he can still compete at a high level and pushing aside father time for now. The team is on a #BlitzForSix mission to go back-to-back with the key additions of wide receiver Brandin Cooks, running back Mike Gillislee (who will replace LeGarrette Blount), ex-Jets linebacker David Harris and cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the rival Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Bills:
They have a new head coach in former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. Their offense led the league in rushing led by running back LeSean McCoy, who ran for 1,237 yards and Tyrod Taylor will be back as the team's starting Quarterback for the third straight year after throwing for 3,023 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions last season, despite drafting Nathan Peterman in the fifth round out of Pittsburgh. Their defense, which was ranked 19th in yards allowed, will be helped with the return of middle linebacker Reggie Ragland, who missed all of his rookie season with a torn ACL.
Miami Dolphins:
Under first year head coach Adam Gase, they came off of their first postseason appearance since 2008 as they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30 to 12. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be coming back after a sprained ACL suffered in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals that knocked him out for the season. Matt Burke, who replaces Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator after he left to the head coach of the Denver Broncos, will try to fix a defense that was ranked 29th in total yards despite being led by Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh.
New York Jets:
This could be rebuilding season for the other team in the Big Apple after getting rid of longtime franchise cornerstones cornerback Darrelle Revis and middle linebacker David Harris & Wide Receiver's Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Journeyman Josh McCown will start as the team's quarterback but could be replaced by Bryce Petty and/or Christian Hackenberg if the team struggles out the gate. If neither of these young QB's prove that they can be successful, then they could tank to get the first pick in the 2018 Draft where USC quarterback Sam Darnold could be eligible for it.