2022 NFL PREDICTIONS - AFC EAST

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Three teams in the AFC East had winning records in 2021, with the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots being the only teams to make the postseason.

Both of those clubs could be in for some stiffer competition in 2022, with the Miami Dolphins adding considerable offensive speed and Zach Wilson and the New York Jets improving through the draft.

Source (Background Photo): CBS Sports

Here is a look at all four teams in the AFC East and where we predict them to finish.

Buffalo Bills

Key Additions

Von Miller (linebacker), Jamison Crowder (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

Cole Beasley (wide receiver), Emmanuel Sanders (wide receiver).

Biggest Strength

It isn’t easy to pinpoint just one strength from a team projected to win the Super Bowl by many, so I will go with the most apparent strength: Josh Allen at quarterback.

Across the board, the Bills are outstanding, and he is the catalyst of so much for this team.

Allen has put up back-to-back seasons with a 90.0- plus rating, throwing for 36 touchdowns in the 2021 regular season and going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, losing essentially by bad luck and a limited amount of possessions in OT, which was entirely out of his control.

Biggest Weakness

Just like their strengths, there aren’t any major flaws in this team; however, if we were to choose one, the offensive line might be it.

From time to time, Allen did have to use his legs to make some magic happen, and he was sacked 26 times a season ago.

Projection- 1st

The Bills are scary good on all sides of the ball, they have the experience of playing in big games, along with their share of difference makers on offence and defence, and they are hungry, having lost in such heartbreaking fashion last season at Arrowhead.

When you put that all together, it’s hard to see them faltering this season.

Miami Dolphins

Key Additions

Tyreek Hill (wide receiver), Chase Edmonds (running back).

Key Subtractions

DeVante Parker (wide receiver), Will Fuller (wide receiver).

Biggest Strength

The speed and offensive weapons that Tua Tagovialoa has at his disposal this year could be what he needs to rejuvenate his career.

Tyreek Hill and Chase Edmonds could make life a lot simpler for the Dolphins pivot, given their game-changing speed and, in particular, Hill, who is capable of gaining plenty of yards after the catch in short underneath slant patterns.

Biggest Weakness

Unlike Buffalo, Miami’s weakness on the offensive line is much more evident, with the Dolphins allowing a league-leading 235 pressures last season, seven more than Cincinnati’s line allowed even in their Super Bowl run.

Adding Connor Williams and Terron Armstead should help, but Tua will likely have to do a better job of getting the ball out of his hands quicker.

Projection- 2nd

With the changes, they have made on offence expect the playbook to be a lot less complicated for their QB, who will rely heavily on Hill and Edmonds to make plays.

Hill will be a considerable asset for Tua in underneath patterns, and we expect his presence will be able to turn many potential sacks into big plays.

New England Patriots

Key Additions

DeVante Parker (wide receiver), Cole Strange (guard).

Key Subtractions

Josh McDaniels (offensive coordinator), J.C. Jackson (cornerback).

Biggest Strength

There are more than enough capable starters on the offensive line who should be able to protect sophomore QB Mac Jones this season even though they dealt away Shaq Mason.

No line in the league allowed fewer pressures in the NFL in 2021 than the Pats (125), which should give them an excellent platform to succeed when they have the ball.

Biggest Weakness

Losing J.C. Jackson and Stephon Gilmore without quality replacements could be a big blow for Bill Belichick’s secondary.

Rookie Marcus Jones is an exciting prospect, but his small frame at 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds will make it difficult for him to be anything more than a slot option.

Jalen Mills allowed a passer rating of 114.6 in 2021, while Terrance Mitchell allowed a rating of 104.7, not the most encouraging stats if you’re a Pats fan.

Projection- 3rd

New England should be a sharp unit on offence as they added some weapons in that department; however, they have not addressed their problems in pass coverage, so look for opposing teams to burn them through the air.

New York Jets

Key Additions

Garrett Wilson (wide receiver), Sauce Gardner (cornerback).

Key Subtractions

Jamison Crowder (wide receiver).

Biggest Strength

The Jets made some significant strides along the offensive line, which should enable second-year pivot, Zach Wilson, to have more time in the pocket, if he can stay healthy.

There is a lot more depth at those positions, which will help him spread the ball around a lot more effectively.

Biggest Weakness

The linebacking corps could be an issue again this year, as C.J. Mosley has not panned out the way they had hoped.

Robert Saleh’s defence allowed a passer rating of 116.3, mainly due to a lack of help at the linebacking position.

Projection- 4th

There are some good pieces in place with this franchise, although given how much the division has improved and the holes the Jets still have along the d-line and at linebacker, it might take a monumental improvement from Zach Wilson and some big numbers from the likes of Sauce Gardner for this club to contend for a playoff spot.