Over the next few weeks, I’ll be discussing Season Win totals for the different teams around the National Football League. I will analyze each teams’ history, off-season moves, trends, and schedules; in hopes of giving readers a guide to the 2007 season. I’ll start with the 4 teams that make up the AFC East.
The New England Patriots come into the 2007-08 season with lofty goals, as many are predicting the Pats to win their 4th Super Bowl Trophy in the last 7 years. They will also be going for their 5th straight AFC East title. Over the last 4 seasons the Patriots finished with 12+ wins three times (12-4, 10-6, 14-2, 14-2). The Patriots have made it to the playoffs 5 times in Bill Belichick’s 7 years in New England. To sweeten the pot, the Patriots produced one of the most talked about off-seasons in recent history. The Pats went out and signed the best defensive player available, Adalius Thomas. Then, in an attempt to improve what was a 2nd tier receiving unit, NE traded for Randy Moss and Wes Welker, also signing Donte Stallworth and Kelly Washington. With Laurence Maroney carrying the load and Tom Brady under center, the Patriots are destined for success. I don’t like high overs, but the Patriots schedule isn’t that tough. With only 8 games against last years’ playoff teams and 6 games against a weak AFC East; 12 wins is obtainable.
A season after finishing 4-12 the Jets finished 10-6 in 2006, making the Playoffs. How did the Jets win 10? They were 9-3 against teams that didn’t make the playoffs. New York finished 1-3 against “good” teams, but still finished with 10 wins, easily covering their over. This season, the Jets traded for a top-flight running back in Thomas Jones. All the big pieces are back, plus the Jets traded up to get the best cornerback in the draft, Darrelle Revis, and a solid middle linebacker – David Harris. This season, the Jets play 7 games against 2006 playoff teams, making this years’ schedule a little more difficult than last season. New England twice is tough, and Baltimore is solid, but the Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Chiefs all have question marks. The Jets won’t win 12, but surely 9 is well within reach, especially if they continue to dominate their sub-par competition. Another 10-6 playoff year? I’m not so sure, but that seems more likely than 7-9, making this a safe bet.
Miami had a tough 2006, struggling to a 6-10 record which drove their head coach, Nick Saban, back to college. New head-man, Cam Cameron, had plenty of success coordinating the Chargers offense, but now he takes over an anemic Miami group that never meets expectations. The Dolphins only have one 7+ win season in their last 3 years. The Dolphins’ big off-season moves were signing an aging and overpaid outside linebacker, Joey Porter; and trading for an aging and overrated quarterback, Trent Green. The coaching staff has been completely revamped, and more explosion is expected on offense. But will that get the Fins wins? No chance. The Trent Green move will be seen as a mistake. With a tough schedule, flashing 8 playoff teams and the Bengals, its hard for me to see the Dolphins winning 7 games. Some 1st year coaches have success, but that’s rare. An aging defense, an old quarterback, and a new system; sounds like a disaster.
I like the Bills’ young nucleus, but what are there chances of improving this season? This off-season, Buffalo lost their top two defensive players and their most productive ball carrier. Nate Clements banked out in free agency, and Takeo Spikes was traded to Philly for Darwin Walker. Those moves won’t help a defense that ranked 18th last season. On offense, the Bills lost their #1 running back, Willis McGahee, when they traded him to the Ravens. Will this help their 30th ranked offense? Nope. What the Bills did do was grossly overpay for a guard, lose three of their most talented players, and keep the same coaching staff. JP Losman is getting better; an improved offensive line will protect him. Lee Evans is one of the most feared playmakers in the NFL, and the Bills selected a well rounded play maker in Marshawn Lynch. That’s the good news. The bad news is, the Bills start out with 8 tough games; Denver, Pittsburgh, New England, N.Y. Jets, Dallas, Baltimore, N.Y. Jets, Bengals… 0-8? Three more playoff teams linger on their 2nd half schedule. It’s not looking good in Buffalo.
