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

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

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

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

Star Player: Peyton Manning (QB) – The 5-time NFL MVP is going into his 18th (and possibly final) season in the league. Coach Kubiak plans to install a run-heavy system in order to keep Manning fresh down the stretch, but the team will only go as far as Peyton takes them.

Key Additions: Owen Daniels (TE), Shane Ray (LB), Ryan Harris (T)

Notable Departures: Julius Thomas (TE), Terrance Knighton (DT), Rahim Moore (FS), Orlando Franklin (T), Nate Irving (LB)

Stories To Watch: One of Denver’s top priorities will be retooling the offensive line, especially finding a replacement for LT Ryan Clady who will miss the season after tearing his ACL. Also the Broncos will look to build upon their Top-3 defense from last year with new coordinator Wade Phillips, replacing the departed Jack Del Rio.

Projected Regular Season Record: 13-3 (1st in division)

Championship Contender Potential: HIGH

Star Player: Philip Rivers (QB) – Though he’s entering his 12th season in the league and his future with the Chargers still a bit cloudy, Rivers is still one of the top QBs in the league.

Key Additions: Orlando Franklin (G), Jacoby Jones (WR), Patrick Robinson (CB), Melvin Gordon (RB), Steve Johnson (WR)

Notable Departures: Ryan Mathews (RB), Seyi Ajirotutu (WR), Eddie Royal (WR), Marcus Gilchrist (FS)

Stories To Watch: It will be interesting to see how quickly first-round pick Melvin Gordon will adjust to being the feature back on day one. And with Antonio Gates suspended for four games to begin the season, will receivers Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, and Ladarius Green pick up the slack in the red zone?

Projected Regular Season Record: 10-6 (2nd in division)

Championship Contender Potential: MEDIUM

Star Player: Jamaal Charles (RB) – The all-world back is a threat in both the air and ground game, with the potential to turn any play into a homerun.

Key Additions: Jeremy Maclin (WR), Jason Avant (WR), Tyvon Branch (SS), Ben Grubbs (G), Marcus Peters (CB)

Notable Departures: Dwayne Bowe (WR), Anthony Fasano (TE), Ryan Harris (T), Kurt Coleman (SS)

Stories To Watch: Not one Chiefs receiver caught a touchdown pass last season, so the Chiefs brought in former Eagles receivers Maclin and Avant to address that issue. And the defense will need to find players in addition to Justin Houston and Tamba Hali to anchor the defense.

Projected Regular Season Record: 9-7 (3rd in division)

Championship Contender Potential: MEDIUM

Star Player: Khalil Mack (LB) – Though the Raiders defensive stud flourished his rookie year at LB, Coach Del Rio’s defensive scheme may cause an increase of reps at defensive end.

Key Additions: Michael Crabtree (WR), Dan Williams (DT), Roy Helu (RB), Rodney Hudson (C), Amari Cooper (WR), Trent Richardson (RB)

Notable Departures: LaMarr Woodley (DE), Darren McFadden (RB), Tyvon Branch (SS), Matt Schaub (QB),Denarius Moore (WR)

Stories To Watch: It will be interesting to see the progression of second year QB Derek Carr throughout the season. And with the additions of Michael Crabtree, Roy Helu, and rookie Amari Cooper, he seems to have better weapons to use in the passing game.

Projected Regular Season Record: 6-10 (4th in division)

Championship Contender Potential: LOW