We wrap up our Divisional Breakdowns with the AFC and NFC East. There is no lack of egos from either the actual players and coaches or the fan bases. Some of it is warranted. The Patriots have won and been to the most super bowls. The Bills are the lovable losers who just can’t quite get over the hump. However, the dolphins have won anything since the 70s and haven’t really been relevant since the 80s. The Jets have been bad even longer. On the NFC side, the Eagles have the current bragging rights after being the first team in 20 years to win back to back divisional titles. They have been to 3 Super Bowls and won 2 of them in the last 10 years. The rest of the division is living on past history but they are the division with the most Super Bowl wins and appearances. I put their egos aside and predict how these teams will fair in the upcoming season.

AFC East

First Place: New England Patriots

Everyone is just penciling in the Bills here and I’m not sure why. The Patriots have the better defense, better coach, better receiver room and a quarterback who can actually make it to the Super Bowl. The schedule is definitely tougher than last year when they had the easiest schedule in the league but acting like they weren’t good last year and can’t repeat as division champs doesn’t make sense to me. There is the Mike Vrabel affair thing hanging over their heads but luckily for them, the press refuses to report on themselves so the story has all but been dropped. My favorite part was when Mike Vrabel skipped day 3 of the draft to prioritize his family. So you put your family ahead of the most useless day of the draft. You’re so great, your wife doesn’t deserve you. Anyway, this team on paper actually got better. They still have some questions on the offensive line but overall this a good roster top to bottom. I expect them to repeat as champs and they could make another deep playoff run. That is as long as AJ Brown gets the ball enough and doesn’t create a whole issue in the locker room.

Final Record: 12-5

Second Place: Buffalo Bills

Everyone’s favorite team is the offseason darlings once again. They “finally” got Josh Allen some help but training for DJ Moore and firing his coach and making his buddy the offensive coordinator the new head coach. We will see how it works out for them. They have the talent offensively to make a run. Josh Allen is very talented and a difference maker…usually in a positive way. But I have some real questions about the defense. The personnel is not impressive and they lost a great defensive coach when they fired their head coach. This defensive issue will be just the thing for all the media pundits to hang their hats on when the Bills ultimately fall short this season. I mean maybe it was the 4 turnovers by Josh Allen…nah, got to get this guy some defensive help. He can’t be Superman all the time. Anyway, the Bills have another solid season, make the playoffs and lose in the divisional round…because that’s what the Bills do.

Final Record: 11-6

Third Place: Miami Dolphins

I know they are sort of trying to lose or whatever, but I think they will actually be a fun watch. Malik Willis has been solid when he’s played the last few years which has been sparingly. Achane is a great back and they got some young receivers who I think will be pretty good. The problem is they may not be able to stop anyone. They will be behind a lot so keep the dolphin players in mind when it comes to fantasy football. I have no idea if their new coach is any good. I have no idea if Willis will be any good. I can’t name a single defensive starter. So why am I picking them 3rd? It’s not that I believe in the Dolphins, it’s just how much I don’t believe in the Jets.

Final Record: 4-13

Fourth Place: New Jersey Jets

On paper the Jets should be better this year. Geno Smith has had some good moments here and there. Their skill guys are pretty good. Their defense should be alright. Maybe they will get one of those coveted interception thingys this year. They actually have some talent. But I just don’t trust this organization. I don’t think their coach is a good head coach. Geno plays bad more than he plays good and their owner is kind of a nut and will probably fire the coach somewhere during the season anyway. I just think the Jets are a disaster and will continue to do dumb things and not win games. Playing the AFC West and the NFC North doesn’t do them any favors. I just don’t see the wins on their schedule.

Final Record: 3-14

NFC East

First Place: Philadelphia Eagles

I debated this one as I do think the Cowboys will be much improved defensively. But since the Eagles broke the 20 year streak of no repeat division winners, I’m going to keep flying with the birds. I think AJ Brown leaving will help the locker room be more united. They still have Devonte Smith who was a true #1 receiver before Brown got there. Jalen Hurts isn’t great but he should be better now that they have a more creative play caller. I don’t trust Siranni as a coach at all but he keeps winning somehow. The main reason I am picking them though is because it seems that every other year the Eagles are really good and go to the Super Bowl. Barkley is usually better every other year too. I don’t expect him to have 2000 yards but I do expect him to be more impactful than he was last year. So even though I like what the Cowboys did in the offseason, I’ll go with the Eagles since it is an even year.

Final Record: 12-5

Second Place: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas already had a great offense. They have two number one receivers, a solid running back and tight end and Dak is quite good in the regular season. Their problem was the defense which did get a little better as the season wore on. They added more defensive help in free agency and the draft and now appear to have a functional defense. If they are even in the middle of the pack, this is a playoff team because this offense can score 25-30 points most games. Like with all teams, they need to stay healthy but I think the improved defense will be enough to keep them in the division race until the end and this should be a playoff team. However, they are the Cowboys so they could easily flop and be terrible. But I think they will break that trend and instead lose in the playoffs in some depressing way as only a Schottenheimer can.

Final Record: 11-6

Third Place: Washington Commanders

Third place really comes down to whether or not Jayden can stay healthy. When he plays this team can compete with anyone. When he isn’t healthy which is often, this team is not very good. They should lean into the run game more this year and I like that they added Stefon Diggs. But I still have big concerns about their offensive line and their defense. The O-line is especially troubling due to Daniels already being fragile. He needs to eat some pizza or something and fatten up a little. The guy is so skinny and it looks like his bones could break at any moment. If he plays 17 games they could end up on the playoff hunt. However, he could also get hurt week 1 and they could win 5 games this year.

Final Record: 9-8

Fourth Place: New York Giants

Everyone is high on the Giants and they are the cool team to pick to improve and make a run at the playoffs. I’m just not seeing it. While I think the Harbaugh hire was a good one and I do think they will be better, their 3 offensive players are all kind idiots and they all get hurt all the time. The trio of Dart, Skattebo and Nabers will be fun to see for the 3 games they play together. But does anyone think these guys will even play 17 games combined much less 17 games each? If they do maybe…and I mean maybe, they could make a run at the playoffs. But I still think they have more questions than answers. So while I expect an improved and much more stable and consistently competitive team, I don’t expect a playoff team…yet.

Final Record: 8-9

Tune in tomorrow for top 10 Thursday when I give you the 10 teams most likely to win the Super Bowl. Then next week I will give my final playoff predictions including who I have winning it all. You don’t want to miss that so you can have gambling success by betting against all my picks.