Here is the AFC East installment of an eight-part series sharing five predictions for each division in the NFL.
Frank Gore will creep closer to second place on the all-time rushing list
Entering his 16th NFL season, Frank Gore, now a member of the New York Jets, will share the backfield with Le’Veon Bell. While Bell will get the majority of the carries, the future Hall of Famer who spent 2019 with the Bills will impact his share of games with the consistent running he has displayed in his decade and a half in the NFL.
Tagovailoa shines in South Beach, but don’t count Fitzmagic out
Selected at No. 5 in the NFL Draft, Tua Tagovailoa seems to have no lasting effects from the hip injury he suffered last season at Alabama. While it’s uncertain if he will start Week 1, he will have an impact on the field at some point or another this season. As for the wily veteran in Ryan Fitzpatrick, he will also have his usual handful of magical moments for the Dolphins that everyone has grown accustomed to.
Diggs will be Allen’s missing link
Although they made the playoffs in 2018, the Buffalo Bills’ offense was missing that big-play receiving threat in 2019. Now that Stefon Diggs calls upstate New York home, Josh Allen and co. will be able to put up more points in an effort to complement a defense that was quite impressive last season.
The Patriots won’t make the playoffs
What was a presumptive thought by many when the clock struck zero in the Wild Card Round against the Titans has panned out to be coming to fruition: is the dynasty over? Tom Brady is now in Tampa Bay. Many key defensive players are now playing elsewhere (with several in Miami). Bill Belichick and co. seem to be ready to forge ahead with Jarrett Stidham, the Patriots’ fourth-round pick out of Auburn in the 2019 draft. While it worked for the last 20 seasons for this team and Tom Brady, lightning doesn’t always strike twice. The Patriots will have a tough go this season.
A new division winner for the first time in forever
The Buffalo Bills were right on the Patriots’ heels for all of last season and will win the division in 2020. The Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots will be in Wild Card contention for most of the season but will all fail to make the playoffs.
