NFL · 1 year ago

AFC East Bold Predictions: Dolphins Finally Take the Crown?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Bills Miss Playoffs, Sean McDermott Fired
People keep trying to buy into the Buffalo Bills, but I just can’t see it. Where is the talent? Outside of Josh Allen, they have an underwhelming group of skill-position players, an average offense line, and a depleted secondary that cancels out their solid defensive line. Josh Allen can’t do it all alone; unfortunately, it will come at the cost of Sean McDermott’s job. Come Spring, teams will be salivating to bring McDermott on.
Raheem Mostert Gets Traded by Deadline
Raheem Mostert was a game-changer for the Miami Dolphins last season, but De’Von Achane was the clear No. 1 option out of the backfield when healthy. Achane enters 2024 healthy and ready to take a massive leap, but the Dolphins spent a fourth-round pick in Jaylen Wright too, who has had an exceptional training camp and preseason. The Dolphins will want the young legs on the field as much as possible, leaving Mostert out of the rotation. A playoff team with a clear need for a running back like the Dallas Cowboys could quickly swoop in. Still, if Mostert gets traded, that's most importantly a sign that Achane took a leap and Wright is flourishing. A sign they certainly wouldn't mind.
Ja’Lynn Polk-Drake Maye Begin a Long-Term Duo
2024 will mark the beginning of a new era for the New England Patriots, and the foundation is already set with Jerod Mayo as the head coach and Drake Maye drafted to be the franchise quarterback. Nobody expects a miracle this season, but a lot needs to be seen to determine whether or not Maye can be the guy and if their young receivers have what it takes to develop alongside him. We’re confident in second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk, as the duo has shown plenty of potential in limited preseason action, paving the way for him to be the WR1 immediately. It remains to be seen whether or not this duo amounts to too many wins in 2024, but things are heading in the right direction in Foxborough.
Josh Allen Rushes for 15 Touchdowns Again
Everything is riding on Josh Allen on the offensive side of the ball this season in Buffalo, and I envision that we’ll see Josh Allen fully embrace the pressure and look to desperate things to will his team to victory. In the past, we’ve seen Allen opt to use his legs in big situations, and now, without a clear No. 1 wide receiver, we’ll see a lot more endzone attempts from Allen on the ground. For better or worse, Allen will record at least 15 rushing touchdowns. Still, it may ultimately reflect more on the Bills’ lack of offensive continuity rather than Allen himself.
Jets Earn Wild Card Bid
Is saying that the New York Jets will earn a playoff bid bold? Absolutely not, but the thing is, all offseason, we’ve been hearing plenty of bold predictions for the Jets. At the end of the day, we’ll learn that nothing is bold about this Jets team. Aaron Rodgers won’t be able to lead this team into contender status, just as he couldn’t do in his final years on some fairly talented Packer teams, but luckily, the defense alone is darn good enough to win some games. Still, when was Aaron Rodgers last winning a big playoff game? I’ll keep waiting.
Dolphins Finally Win Division
After a couple of seasons of flirting with contender status, this is the year the Miami Dolphins finally put it together. Offensively, they have all the pieces to be one of the league’s top units, as we saw clearly in 2023. Defensively, the unit appears re-invigorated as they enter 2024 much healthier with a new leader at the defensive coordinator position. Eventually, it feels like the Dolphins have to get over the hump at some point, and while the AFC East may be strong, there is undoubtedly no runaway favorite.
Bills Miss Playoffs, Sean McDermott Fired
People keep trying to buy into the Buffalo Bills, but I just can’t see it. Where is the talent? Outside of Josh Allen, they have an underwhelming group of skill-position players, an average offense line, and a depleted secondary that cancels out their solid defensive line. Josh Allen can’t do it all alone; unfortunately, it will come at the cost of Sean McDermott’s job. Come Spring, teams will be salivating to bring McDermott on.
Raheem Mostert Gets Traded by Deadline
Raheem Mostert was a game-changer for the Miami Dolphins last season, but De’Von Achane was the clear No. 1 option out of the backfield when healthy. Achane enters 2024 healthy and ready to take a massive leap, but the Dolphins spent a fourth-round pick in Jaylen Wright too, who has had an exceptional training camp and preseason. The Dolphins will want the young legs on the field as much as possible, leaving Mostert out of the rotation. A playoff team with a clear need for a running back like the Dallas Cowboys could quickly swoop in. Still, if Mostert gets traded, that's most importantly a sign that Achane took a leap and Wright is flourishing. A sign they certainly wouldn't mind.

AFC East Bold Predictions: Dolphins Finally Take the Crown?

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