Check out the Bills Predictions and Jets Predictions as well!

The Why
The Dolphins main concern was their defensive backfield in 2008. They addressed that deficiency through the draft, picking up Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. You can tell that Bill Parcells is running this team

The Why Not
Miami was pretty reliant on the Wildcat offense last year, using it to win quite a few games on its own. They further bolstered that offense by adding Pat White, but many teams will be ready to combat the Wildcat in 2009. The receivers are average, and Patrick Turner isn’t going to change that. Chad Pennington is always on a thin-line between sublime and sucky. (see playoffs)

The Schedule
The Dolphins, much like all the teams in the AFC East, have a very tough schedule. Escaping their eight road games with a .500 record would be a good feat.

@ATL (L)
@SDC (W)
@NYJ (L)
@NEP (L)
@CAR (W)
@BUF (L)
@JAC (W)
@TEN (W)

Their eight home games aren’t much easier, but they do have the Miami advantage. Landshark Stadium is still a great home-field, even though it has a dumb name.

vs IND (L)
vs BUF (W)
vs NYJ (W)
vs NOS (W)
vs TBB (W)
vs NEP (W)
vs HOU (W)
vs PIT (L)

The Verdict
With this schedule, 10-6 would truly be a great record, and good enough for 2nd place in the AFC East. If they can steal another game on the road, that should be enough to secure a playoff berth.

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Check out our prediction for the New York Jets as well.

The Why
Terrell Eldorado Owens brings something to Buffalo that hasn’t been there since Jim Kelly left town, hope. Pairing TO with a true deep threat like Lee Evans is a great move that should add another dimension to the Bills offense that has looked to break out these last few years – this could be the year.

The Why Not
The offensive line is suddenly looking a bit thin. Aaron Maybin will help bolster the defensive front for the Bills, but losing Jason Peters will be sorely missed. A quarterback can’t accurately pass when his butt is planted on the field.

The Schedule
We’ll see what the Bills have right out of the gate, playing the odds-on favorite to win the Superbowl: the New England Patriots in Foxborough.

@NEP (L)
@MIA (L)
@NYJ (L)
@CAR (W)
@TEN (L)
@JAC (W)
@KCC (W)
@ATL (L)

The eight home games aren’t any easier, but the frigid wasteland of Buffalo is worth a win or two in December.

vs TBB (W)
vs NOS (L)
vs CLE (W)
vs HOU (W)
vs MIA (W)
vs NYJ (W) (Toronto)
vs NEP (L)
vs IND (W)

The Verdict
(9-7)
The Bills aren’t quite ready for primetime with their tough schedule, but if they can get a few lucky breaks they can finish what they started in 2008 and make the playoffs.

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The first in our four part look at the AFC East in 2009 starts at the bottom. Check back during the week for the Dolphins, Bills, and the Patriots.

The Why
The Jets have two decent lines and some astounding playmakers on defense, such as Darrell Revis and the new additions: Bart Scott, Calvin Pace, and Jim Leonhard. Rex Ryan has definitely brought some swagger to the Jets, let’s hope for New York’s sake that he has brought a little more than that.

The Why Not
Mark Sanchez is a rookie, however, he is not Joe Flacco nor Matt Ryan. Eric Mangini, while being a huge ass, wasn’t retarded. The Mangenious picked off a few choice elements from the Jets in the Sanchez trade. By the way, Mark Sanchez is a rookie.

The Schedule
Eight road games will be dificult for the Jets this year, as the AFC East schedules include the NFC South and the AFC South.

@HOU (W)
@NOS (L)
@MIA (L)
@OAK (W)
@NEP (L)
@BUF (L)
@TBB (L)
@IND (L)

The eight home games aren’t much easier, but they should be able to scratch out a few more wins.

vs NEP (L)
vs TEN (W)
VS BUF (W)
VS MIA (L)
vs JAC (W)
vs CAR (L)
vs ATL (L)
vs CIN (W)

The Verdict
(6-10)
While the Jets are sounding like Baltimore Northeast, they don’t quite look like them yet. If the key parts don’t age too much before they get a QB ready, the Jets could be tough for the next few years.

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NFC West / NFC North / NFC South / NFC East

AFC West / AFC North

Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
This is the year that the Colts jump the shark. They still have Peyton Manning, which gives you 7-8 games by itself, but lines are beginning to show some wear and tear.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
If the Jaguars went 2-14, I wouldn’t be surprised. David Garrard doesn’t inspire confidence in anyone but his banker. Fred Taylor made a great decision in coming north.

Tennessee Titans (7-9)
Titan fans gave us lots of crap for our 2008 predictions, and they ended up being right. I don’t see Kerry Collins doing it again this year, and the defense will miss Haynesworth.

Houston Texans (7-9)
This team has loads of talent, but can’t seem to put it all together. While Sage wasn’t a Pro Bowl QB, he tended to stay healthy.

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