Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have sat atop the AFC East for four straight years. Their drive for five could prove to be the toughest task of all.
A ton of roster turnover has provided plenty of questions — and doubts.
Especially with Aaron Rodgers back with the New York Jets and feeling fantastic at 40. And Tua Tagovailoa getting his big payday to be the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback of the present and future.
There’s also a new man in charge of the Patriots, with Jerod Mayo taking over for Bill Belichick in New England.
“It’s not that it’s wide open,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “Buffalo, as long as Josh Allen’s their quarterback and coach (Sean) McDermott’s coaching that defense, they’re going to be a problem for the entire AFC. As long as Tua’s playing quarterback with (coach Mike) McDaniel and all that speed, they’re going to be a problem. And New England has got a tremendous foundation. Their defensive pieces are all still there and they’re rebuilding that offense, so they’re still going to be a problem.
“But I’ll be honest with you: Our focus is us, taking care of our job, taking care of our business.”
The Bills remain a slight favorite to win the division, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. But all the changes around Allen — Buffalo lost six of its eight captains, including wide receiver Stefon Diggs — have many thinking the AFC East is primed for a change at the top.
“This is a new team that will have to define itself,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “Whether people predict us to be 6-11 or 11-6 or whatever it is, it really won’t matter. Once games start, that’s what you guys are going to be writing and reporting about.”
Jolly Rodgers
Saleh and the Jets are back where they were at this time a year ago: banking on Rodgers to deliver them to the playoffs — they have the NFL’s longest active drought at 13 seasons — and perhaps a lot more.
The four-time MVP’s torn Achilles tendon torpedoed those plans last year after just four snaps. Rodgers looked fully healthy throughout training camp and he is highly motivated to stage a big comeback.
“You’ve got to prove it to yourself and once you do that, you don’t worry about the outside opinions,” Rodgers said. “Those take care of themselves.”
The defense should be strong again, led by cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. But the Jets’ once-stagnant offense should improve with a revamped offensive line and Mike Williams teaming with fellow wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall as key playmakers.
Trust in Tua
With the Dolphins looking to win their first playoff game since 2000, they showed confidence in Tagovailoa being the quarterback to deliver that by signing him to a four-year contract extension at the start of training camp.
That came after he stayed healthy and led the NFL with 4,624 yards passing last year. And he could be looking at big numbers again with Tyreek Hill — who also got huge money with a restructured contract — and Jaylen Waddle powering the offense, along with dual-threat running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane.
“What they want their careers to be known for is through the team,” McDaniel said of Tagovailoa and Hill. “I’ve seen even more investment into the team, by all the players that have had new contracts. And I think that goes a long way.”
Miami also has a retooled defense that includes linebackers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips returning from injuries.
Catching up
With Diggs traded to Houston in a draft-day deal and Gabe Davis signing with Jacksonville as a free agent, Allen lost his top two wide receivers in the offseason.
Khalil Shakir is the only wide receiver on the roster to have caught a pass from Allen. Rookie Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will try to build a rapport with Allen — although Samuel (turf toe) and Valdes-Scantling (neck) were dealing with injuries late in camp.
“The guys that we’ve brought in, the energy, the work effort or the work ethic and effort that they bring each and every day,” Allen said, “it’s been easy to get on the same page with these guys.”
The defense took a hit during training camp when linebacker Matt Milano was lost indefinitely with a torn biceps.
Mayo on top
After 24 seasons and six Super Bowl victories with Belichick in charge, New England has a new coach in Mayo — the former Patriots star linebacker — along with a new-look roster and tempered expectations.
Belichick failed to lead the franchise to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons since Tom Brady left. And now the Patriots are trying to rebuild for their future.
They drafted quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick. New England also is banking on Mayo being an energetic breath of fresh air who can oversee the team’s turnaround.
“I’ve learned a lot of principles here from Bill and being smart, tough and dependable is definitely something that I definitely think makes a good team,” Mayo said. “That’s still part of my message to the rest of the guys. But when it’s all said and done, it’s about competition and going out there and beating the men across from you.”
Projected order of finish:
Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Patriots.
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AP Sports Writers Kyle Hightower, Alanis Thames and John Wawrow contributed to this report.
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