This story was originally published by Dead Spin
AFC East division preview
2024 predicted order of finish, record
New York Jets (13-4)
Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers is back to take care of business on one side of the ball while what could end up being the top-rated defense in the league will be going to work on the other.
Miami Dolphins (11-6)
The second-highest scoring team in the league last season essentially brings back the same star-studded offense.
Buffalo Bills (9-8)
Just because Josh Allen is Josh Allen doesn’t mean the offense is going to click with a new receiving corps.
New England Patriots (4-13)
Coach Jerod Mayo only has a few weapons at his disposal in his first year at the helm. A brutal schedule doesn’t make life any easier, either.
Three AFC East MVP candidates
Bills QB Josh Allen
No more Stefon Diggs or Gabe Davis means Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel will be among Allen’s top targets. It’s not the most elegant trio of pass-catchers, but Allen can do just as much damage on the ground as he can through the air.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers already has four of these under his belt, winning the award as recently as 2021. If any 40-year-old can bounce back from a season-ending Achilles injury, it’s Rodgers.
Jets RB Breece Hall
While opposing defenses will have their hands full with Rodgers, Hall could quietly rush for well over 1,000 yards after coming just 6 shy of that mark a season ago. Hall also had the second-most catches for New York (76), making him a massive threat on every snap.
2024 AFC East breakout players
Jets LB Jermaine Johnson II
New York bringing in Haason Reddick should take some attention off Johnson — should Reddick get his contract situation resolved. Johnson most recently totaled 7.5 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl selection in his sophomore season.
Jets WR-RS Xavier Gipson
A rookie in 2023, Gipson has the potential to be a true Swiss Army knife for New York. He hauled in 21 catches last year, and one of his scores came on the ground while the other came on a punt return.
Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith
Once upon a time, Smith was a TD machine – hauling in eight with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 — before a steep drop-off with the Patriots. He showed flashes of his old self with the Atlanta Falcons last season and now joins a Miami team that certainly isn’t afraid to sling the ball.
Dolphins S Jevon Holland
Knee injuries forced Holland to miss five games last year, but if 2022 is any indication of what he can do when he stays healthy, he should be a defensive centerpiece for Miami.
Bills WR Keon Coleman
Quarterback Josh Allen needs a new WR1. Perhaps it’s Coleman, a second-round draft pick who had 11 TDs at Florida State last year.
Bills CB Rasul Douglas
Douglas had four picks in nine games (eight starts) with Buffalo in 2023 after coming over from the Green Bay Packers, so what could a full season with the Bills look like?
Patriots QB Drake Maye
Yes, Jacoby Brissett is going to start the season under center for New England, but it’s safe to assume that Maye takes over at some point. When he does, he could provide the spark the Patriots have been seeking ever since Mac Jones started to taper off.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez
A torn labrum put Gonzalez on the shelf after just four games in 2023, his rookie season. The No. 17 overall pick in last year’s draft will finally get to showcase his talent in full.
Week 1 outlook
Bills vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Buffalo could be challenged defensively right out of the gate, as quarterback Kyler Murray, now healthy, looks to help Arizona rebound from back-to-back 4-13 seasons.
Patriots at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Someone other than Bill Belichick will be coaching New England for the first time since 1999. One of the few reasons making these Patriots worth watching is their strong secondary, which could very well get carved up by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Dolphins vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
A battle of South Florida and North Florida pits two teams that will be in the mix for division titles. Star Miami receivers Tyreek Hill (thumb) and Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) are banged-up, but they should be good to go against Jacksonville.
Jets at 49ers, Monday, Sept. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET
Welcome back, Aaron Rodgers. The 40-year-old quarterback played just four snaps last season and now has to open 2024 against a San Francisco team fresh off a Super Bowl appearance.
–Field Level Media
