Any talk about the NFC East this sports betting season has to begin and end with the division’s most dominant team from the past decade. The New England Patriots are coming off of a 14-2 season in which they beat nearly every one of the top teams from around the league, and on paper it actually appears as though they are going to be a better team this coming year. The usual suspects are back with head coach Bill Belichick and franchise quarterback Tom Brady leading the way, but it is the revitalized supporting staff that should make the difference this coming season.The Patriots’ young defense made strides a year ago, with Jerod Mayo, Brandon Meriweather, and Devin McCourty all earning Pro Bowl nods. That core group of young talent is complimented well by veterans such as nose tackle Vince Wilfork in the middle, and they should all be better with another year of experience in Belichick’s system. On offense, Brady was ranked first in a poll by his peers of the top 100 players in the league regardless of position, and will be another year removed from major surgery on his knee. Brady found chemistry with Deion Branch in his return to New England, and will have some solid weapons again as young tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski continue to develop and Julian Edelman and Wes Welker also return.
The biggest threat to New England’s chances at the top of the division is the upstart New York Jets, which have guaranteed a Super Bowl under head coach Rex Ryan this season. Ryan has transformed Gang Green into a monster on defense, but the offense will need to make strides this season with Mark Sanchez leading the way under center for a third straight season. Sanchez will likely be without either Braylon Edwards or Santonio Holmes as both are free agents, and will need to be more than an online casino game manager going forward.
Things are unclear in South Beach where the Miami Dolphins are expected to go forward with Chad Henne under center, although they could go after a veteran that can challenge him for the No. 1 job. The Dolphins’ have a strong front seven and some depth in the secondary, but until Henne and the offense can produce with consistency this NFL picks team will struggle just to finish .500.
The final stop in the AFC East is the furthest north, as the Buffalo Bills look to claw their way out of the division basement. The Bills were very competitive with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center and lost several close games to playoff teams including the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they bump off Miami for third spot. There are still too many holes on the Buffalo roster to think that they can compete for a playoff spot, but they are clearly building in the right direction and their record should improve in head coach Chan Gailey’s second sports betting bonus season.
