The NFL Preview series will focus on each division, then each conference, and finally a full league-wide preview. You can view them all here. Next up: the AFC East.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Keith Allison
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
2014 Record: 12-4
Division Rank: 1st
Season Finish: Won Super Bowl
Star Player: Tom Brady (QB) – While the Patriots are staying optimistic that Brady’s four-game suspension will be overturned, they have to still come up with backup plans to survive without their franchise player.
Key Additions: Jabaal Sheard (LB), Scott Chandler (TE), Malcom Brown (DL)
Notable Departures: Vince Wilfork (DT), Shane Vereen (RB), Darrelle Revis (CB), Stevan Ridley (RB), Brandon Browner (CB), Dan Connolly (G)
Stories To Watch: Will backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo be able to keep the Patriots afloat if the NFL upholds Brady’s suspension? It will also be interesting to see how the Patriots make adjustments in the secondary with the losses of Revis and Browner.
Projected Regular Season Record: 11-5 (1st in division)
Championship Contender Potential: HIGH
BUFFALO BILLS
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Head Coach: Rex Ryan
2014 Record: 9-7
Division Rank: 2nd
Season Finish: Did Not Make Playoffs
Star Player: LeSean McCoy (RB) – Shady will enter his first season with the Bills with a chip on his shoulder and the determination to prove he’s still a top-tier back in Rex Ryan’s power-running system.
Key Additions: LeSean McCoy (RB), Percy Harvin (WR), Charles Clay (TE), Alex Carrington (DE)
Notable Departures: Kiko Alonso (LB), C.J. Spiller (RB), Scott Chandler (TE), Da’Norris Searcy (SS)
Stories To Watch: The success of the Bills season will depend heavily on whether or not the team can get any resemblance of solid QB play to go along with its strong supporting cast. Will Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, or Tyrod Taylor step up to lead a team stocked with offensive firepower?
Projected Regular Season Record: 9-7 (T-2nd in division)
Championship Contender Potential: MEDIUM
MIAMI DOLPHINS
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Head Coach: Joe Philbin
2014 Record: 8-8
Division Rank: 3rd
Season Finish: Did Not Make Playoffs
Star Player: Ndamukong Suh (DT) – The Dolphins were the 24th-ranked run defense in the league last season, but made a huge splash by signing the best interior lineman on the market.
Key Additions: Ndamukong Suh (DT), Jordan Cameron (TE), Greg Jennings (WR)
Notable Departures: Jared Odrick (DT), Charles Clay (TE), Daniel Thomas (RB), Brandon Hartline (WR), Brice McCain (CB)
Stories To Watch: Can Ndamukong Suh still command double-teams on the D-line, which will open up more opportunities for Cameron Wake in pass rushing? And will Ryan Tannenhill add the deep-ball threat to his arsenal with the addition of former Saints WR Kenny Stills?
Projected Regular Season Record: 9-7 (T-2nd in division)
Championship Contender Potential: MEDIUM
NEW YORK JETS
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Head Coach: Todd Bowles
2014 Record: 4-12
Division Rank: 4th
Season Finish: Did Not Make Playoffs
Star Player: Darrelle Revis (CB) – Revis Island makes his triumphant return to the Big Apple and should thrive in Coach Bowles’s attacking defense.
Key Additions: Darrelle Revis (CB), Brandon Marshall (WR), Antonio Cromartie (CB), Marcus Gilchrist (SS), Stevan Ridley (RB)
Notable Departures: Percy Harvin (WR), Kenrick Ellis (DT), Greg Salas (WR)
Stories To Watch: With QB Geno Smith getting sucker-punched during training camp (seriously) and being sidelined for 6-10 weeks, the Jets will be forced to rely on Ryan Fitzpatrick in the immediate future. The defense will be solid, but how the offense fares early on will set the stage for the rest of the season.
Projected Regular Season Record: 4-12 (4th in division)
Championship Contender Potential: LOW
