The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East each of the last four years, but after trading wide receiver Stefon Diggs and losing numerous key players in free agency, things may be changing.
Former New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz made his prediction for the division on The Carton Show this week, naming the Miami Dolphins as the new favorites to win the AFC East title.
The Dolphins finished second in the division last year, losing to the Bills via the tiebreaker.
Miami actually appeared to be in control of the division for most of the season, but a second-half swoon combined with a late surge by Buffalo cost the Dolphins the crown.
But now, the Bills seem to be on the decline, which has opened things up for Miami.
However, the Dolphins are not the only AFC East club that now has a chance of finishing in first place.
In the above clip, Craig Carton mentions the New York Jets as a potential threat, citing that they now have the most talented roster in the division.
It’s actually hard to argue that the Jets aren’t the most talented ballclub.
Of course, New York’s success depends entirely on the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is making his way back from a torn Achilles. But if Rodgers is able to stay healthy? The Jets will be a problem.
New York already has a stingy defense and bolstered it even further by swinging a trade for edge rusher Haason Reddick. It also added Mike Williams to play alongside of Garrett Wilson in its receiving corps, and it made some key additions along its offensive line.
The fact that the Jets have not made the playoffs in 13 years understandably makes it difficult for anyone to take the franchise seriously, but there is no doubt that this is an impressive group of talent. Whether or not it meshes is anyone’s guess.
Miami didn’t exactly have a great free agency period. The Dolphins lost a bunch of key contributors on the defensive side of the ball, as Carton notes.
We’ll see what happens come September.
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