In Part Three of our four-part series, we are going to take a look at the pre-season chances of eight teams from two of the glamour divisions in the NFL.
The AFC East features a couple of genuine Super Bowl contenders. You can say the same for the NFC East too.
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Here’s our pre-season preview of both divisions, starting with the AFC East.
AFC East Preview
Buffalo Bills
Key Info
- Head Coach – Sean McDermott
- Last Season’s Record – 13-3
- Key Losses – Tremaine Edmunds (ILB), Devin Singletary (RB), Jamison Crowder (WR)
- Key Additions – Connor McGovern (G), Deonte Harty (WR), Leonard Floyd (DE)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Dalton Kincaid (TE), O’Cyrus Torrance (G), Dorian Williams (ILB)
- Top 3 Offense – Josh Allen (QB), Stefon Diggs (WR), Dawson Knox (TE)
- Top 3 Defense – Matt Milano (OLB), Von Miller (OLB), Leonard Floyd (DE)
A roster of players that has fantastic quality throughout, strength in depth and back ups who can step up and make a difference in those key games.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing A, Rushing B+
- Defense – Against Pass A-, Against Rush B+
- Special Teams – B
- Coaching – A-
- Total – A-
Without doubt one of the favourites to win through in the ultra tough AFC East, This Buffalo Bills team has few, if any weaknesses.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 13/10 fav
- Conference Champions – 19/4
- Super Bowl Winners – 17/2
Miami Dolphins
Key Info
- Head Coach – Mike McDaniel
- Last Season’s Record – 9-8
- Key Losses – Mike Gesicki (TE), Elandon Roberts (OLB), Thomas Morstead (P)
- Key Additions – David Long (LB), Mike White (QB), Braxton Berrios (WR)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Cam Smith (CB), Devon Achane (RB)
- Top 3 Offense – Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Tyreek Hill (WR), Jaylen Waddle (WR)
- Top 3 Defense – Christian Wilkins (DE), Xavien Howard (CB), Jalen Ramsey (CB)
There’s so many quality prospects throughout the Dolphins team, but there are some positions where the drop off in skills could be problematic against the better teams.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing A, Rushing C+
- Defense – Against Pass B, Against Rush C-
- Special Teams – B+
- Coaching – C
- Total – B
This Dolphins team was too up and down last season. They need a much stronger, resilient showing this time around. If they can, then the playoffs are possible.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 3/1
- Conference Champions – 11/1
- Super Bowl Winners – 22/1
New England Patriots
Key Info
- Head Coach – Bill Belichick
- Last Season’s Record – 8-9
- Key Losses – Jakobi Meyers (WR), Nelson Agholor (WR), Devin McCourty (S)
- Key Additions – JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), Calvin Anderson (T), Riley Reiff (T)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Christian Gonzalez (CB), Keion White (DE), Marte Mapu (ILB)
- Top 3 Offense – Rhamonder Stevenson (RB), Mike Gesicki (TE), Kendrick Bourne (WR)
- Top 3 Defense – Christian Barmore (DT), Matt Judon (OLB), Jonathan Jones (CB)
There’s been some good additions to the team in the off-season but the quarterback situation is not great and without a leader, this team could struggle.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing D, Rushing B-
- Defense – Against Pass B+, Against Rush B+
- Special Teams – B+
- Coaching – A
- Total – C
This is not Bill Belichick’s best New England team, but he has winning records with similar. However, I feel his opponents are much stronger this year, so it could be a season of struggle.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 15/2
- Conference Champions – 28/1
- Super Bowl Winners – 50/1
New York Jets
Key Info
- Head Coach – Robert Saleh
- Last Season’s Record – 7-10
- Key Losses – Nathan Shepherd (DE), Nate Herbig (G), Braxton Berrios (WR)
- Key Additions – Allen Lazard (WR), Wes Schweitzer (G), Aaron Rodgers (QB)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Will McDonald (OLB), Joe Tippman (C), Carter Warren (T)
- Top 3 Offense – Aaron Rodgers (QB), Breece Hall (RB), Garrett Wlson (WR)
- Top 3 Defense – Qunton Jefferson (DT), Quinnen Williams (DT), Sauce Gardner (C)
Are the Jets ready to make a serious challenge to the Bills? I think they are. Aaron Rodgers gives them a whole new dimension on offense. Albeit for just a year or two.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing A-, Rushing B+
- Defense – Against Pass A-, Against Rush B+
- Special Teams – A-
- Coaching – B+
- Total – B+
Robert Saleh has done a fantastic job with this team and I expect them to make the playoffs and give the Bills a real run for their money in the East.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 12/5
- Conference Champions – 15/2
- Super Bowl Winners – 14/1
NFC East Preview
Dallas Cowboys
Key Info
- Head Coach – Mike McCarthy
- Last Season’s Record – 12-5
- Key Losses – Connor McGovern (H), Dalton Schultz (TE), Ezekiel Elliott (RB)
- Key Additions – Ronald Jones (RB), Trent Sieg (LS)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Mazi Smith (DT), Luke Schoonmaker (TE), DeMarvion Overshown (ILB)
- Top 3 Offense – Tony Pollard (RB), Dak Prescott (QB), CeeDee Lamb (WR)
- Top 3 Defense – Micah Parsons (OLB), Trevon Diggs (CB), Leighton Vander Esch (MLB)
A strange one to let Ezekiel Elliott leave, but Ronald Jones comes in. Not many additions on the offense which could be their undoing as they seek to close the gap on the Eagles.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing B, Rushing B
- Defense – Against Pass A, Against Rush B+
- Special Teams – B-
- Coaching – B+
- Total – B+
The Dallas defense is one of the best in the NFL so they will give this team a fighting chance. The offense is good enough to reach the playoffs, but going any further looks a tall order.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 9/5
- Conference Champions – 6/1
- Super Bowl Winners – 14/1
New York Giants
Key Info
- Head Coach – Brian Daboll
- Last Season’s Record – 9-7-1
- Key Losses – Nick Gates (G), Julian Love (S),
- Key Additions – Bobby Okereke (LB), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DT), Jamison Crowder (WR)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Deonte Banks (CB), John Schmitz (C), Jalin Hyatt (WR)
- Top 3 Offense – Darren Waller (TE), Daniel Jones (QB), Evan Neal (T)
- Top 3 Defense – Dexter Lawrence (NT), Leonard Williams (DE), Kavon Thibodeaux (OLB)
A fantastic defensive line and good cover corners, but the Giants still lack a little in key areas of the offense, notably at RB and WR, where their lack of quality will hurt them in the East.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing C, Rushing B+
- Defense – Against Pass C, Against Rush B
- Special Teams – B-
- Coaching – B+
- Total – B-
Brian Daboll is doing a fantastic job with the Giants, but he is still a couple of top quality players on offense away from being a genuine challenger in this division just yet.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 7/1
- Conference Champions – 16/1
- Super Bowl Winners – 40/1
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Info
- Head Coach – Nick Sirianni
- Last Season’s Record – 14-3
- Key Losses – Javon Hargrave (DT), Miles Sanders (RB), Andre Dillard (T)
- Key Additions – Marcus Mariota (QB), Justin Evans (S), Rashaad Penny (RB)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Jalen Carter (DT), Nolan Smith (OLB), Kelee Ringo (CB)
- Top 3 Offense – Jalen Hurts (QB), AJ Brown (WR), Lane Johnson (T)
- Top 3 Defense – Josh Sweat (DE), Haason Reddick (OLB), James Bradberry (CB)
The Eagles have lost a lot of players to Free Agency, but they have such strength in depth and have signed some talented replacements, including having a stellar draft too. They’ll be strong as ever.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing A, Rushing B+
- Defense – Against Pass A-, Against Rush B
- Special Teams – B-
- Coaching – A
- Total – A
Super Bowl runners up last season, the Eagles look a great bet to win the NFC East and give themselves a real chance at heading back to the big game this season too.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 5/6 fav
- Conference Champions – 3/1 fav
- Super Bowl Winners – 8/1
Washington Commanders
Key Info
- Head Coach – Ron Rivera
- Last Season’s Record – 8-8-1
- Key Losses – Carson Wentz (QB), Cole Holcomb (LB), Taylor Heincke (QB)
- Key Additions – Andrew Wylie (T), Nick Gates (G), Jacoby Brissett (QB)
- Key 2023 Draft Picks – Emmanuel Forbes (CB), Jartavius Martin (S), Ricky Stromberg (C)
- Top 3 Offense – Terry McLaurin (WR), Andrew Wylie (T), Jahan Dotson (WR)
- Top 3 Defense – Jonathan Allen (DT), Jamin Davis (OLB), Daron Payne (DT)
A team with a new identity, but owners still hanging on despite wanting to sell. Until that is sorted, this is a franchise seemingly in limbo and bottom place in the East looks a certainty.
Our Rankings (A to F)
- Offense – Passing C+, Rushing B-
- Defense – Against Pass B-, Against Rush B-
- Special Teams – C
- Coaching – B-
- Total – C+
The Commanders may have an upset win or two, but I think they’ll struggle over the long haul in the tough NFC East.
Latest Betting Odds with bet365
- Divisional Champions – 12/1
- Conference Champions – 28/1
- Super Bowl Winners – 66/1
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing, but may have changed in the meantime.
