The Buffalo Bills are the reigning, two-time AFC East champions. They didn’t punt in either of their final two games against the second-place New England Patriots last season, which highlights the gap between the teams.
Can anyone catch the Bills? It’s the top question when assessing the AFC East in 2022.
The Bills, who were 13 seconds from reaching the AFC title game, look as tough as ever. Led by quarterback Josh Allen, they have mostly kept their core together and are the No. 1-ranked team in ESPN’s offseason power rankings.
The Patriots, No. 15 in ESPN’s power rankings, had a low-key offseason after a flurry of free-agent activity in 2021. They are banking on continuity and internal development to close the gap.
The Miami Dolphins threw a firecracker into the AFC East mix when they traded for receiver Tyreek Hill and put their support behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. A coaching change — former San Francisco assistant Mike McDaniel was named head coach in February — further highlights a new look for Miami (No. 18).
And the New York Jets (No. 29) were widely praised for their work in the 2022 NFL draft with three first-round picks (cornerback Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson and pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson II) and a high second-rounder (running back Breece Hall) to support second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. They appear primed to make a jump under second-year coach Robert Saleh, but how big will it be?
NFL Nation reporters Rich Cimini (Jets), Alaina Getzenberg (Bills), Marcel Louis-Jacques (Dolphins) and Mike Reiss (Patriots) take a closer look at each AFC East team.
Most intriguing position battle: Most of the starting jobs are set, but with Tre’Davious White working his way back from a torn ACL in his left knee, cornerback will be a position to watch. First-round pick Kaiir Elam and 2020 seventh-round pick
Source : espn
