2013 AFC East Preview

It's been too long since I have been on here, but it's finally time to get back to business, and what better way than to get back into the swing of my NFL previews for 2013. Last year the AFC East showed the Buffalo Bills and Jets struggle, Ryan Tannehill take over the reigns as the Dolphins starting quarterback, and then Tom Brady and New England powering their way through. 

Here's the final standings for the 2012 AFC East:

New England: 12-4

Miami: 7-9

New York Jets: 6-10

Buffalo Bills: 6-10

*Playoff teams in red

This division shouldn't have fooled many people, because it played out very close to most expectations. Brady was Brady, the Dolphins improved, the Jets were their normal overrated selves, and the Bills didn't have a lot to be happy about. Let's look at how I think 2013 will play out.

What will the Patriots do in 2013?

New England Patriots:

Key Additions: WR Danny Amendola, WR Aaron Dobson, WR Josh Boyce

Key Draft Picks: WR Aaron Dobson, WR Josh Boyce

By now, we all know all of the things that happened in the offseason with the Patriots. Aaron Hernandez was in the news all summer for his connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd, and there was also a ton of drama, as always, surrounding Tim Tebow and the Patriots deciding to pick him up and give him a chance to make an NFL squad in 2013. Tebow was just released from the team recently. Anyways, New England should take the AFC East in 2013 without too much difficulty. Even with losing Wes Welker to Denver, Rob Gronkowski to injury, and losing Aaron Hernandez to his off the field issues, this Patriots offense will be very different in 2013. Fortunately, the Patriots still have Tom Brady, and he will make any wide receiving core seem elite. Expect a division title from the Patriots come playoff time.

EJ Manuel provides hope for the future in Buffalo

Buffalo Bills:

Key Additions: QB Kevin Kolb, DT Alan Branch

Key Draft Picks: QB EJ Manuel, WR Robert Woods, LB Kiko Alonso

Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills! Well, 2012 was a struggle, and the Bills decided to part ways with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the Bills got a real steal with EJ Manuel in the 2013 NFL Draft. Manuel, a star quarterback in college, was perhaps undervalued by NFL scouts, and he has proven so far through the preseason until he went down with a knee problem, that he should easily be named the starter of this team over Kevin Kolb. Manuel now, may be back in time to be able to start the season opener, as I personally believe he should. I think the Bills have a strong chance to over achieve to a .500 record or better, but they will be staying at home come playoff time.

Mike Wallace was one of many new players to join the Miami Dolphins in the offseason

Miami Dolphins:

Key Additions: LB Dannell Ellerbe, WR Mike Wallace, K Caleb Sturgis

Key Draft Picks: K Caleb Sturgis

The Dolphins mixed somethings up this offseason and it will definitely show when football is back in action on Sunday. Miami let go of running back Reggie Bush and linebacker Karlos Dansby, but they also added some key guys in Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler. Miami also added a key deep threat for Tannehill, in Mike Wallace. Wallace was a machine in his years with the Steelers, and I see Tannehill being much better than he was last year, and with a big play receiver, I think that the Dolphins may be able to surprise people and be a sleeper team for a wild card spot in 2013.

New York Jets:

Key Additions: CB Dee Milliner, QB Geno Smith

Key Draft Picks: CB Dee Milliner, QB Geno Smith

Rex Ryan lost a lot of weight, and that's not the only thing the Jets have lost lately. This team is just awful. Let me put how the 2012 Jets looked, and how the 2013 Jets will look, just into one play from 2012:

Ahh, It's beautiful isn't it? The well known butt fumble.

Well, to nobody's surprise, here are my 2013 AFC East final standings:

1. New England Patriots

2. Miami Dolphins

3. Buffalo Bills

4. New York Jets

Credits:

AFC East Photo:

http://sportsinvasion.net/2012/08/nfl-feature-afc-east-preview/

Info:

Tom Brady Photo:

http://www.fantasyfootballchallenge.com/articles/sit-and-start-quarterbacks-week-2-487.html/new-england-patriots-quarterback-tom-brady-calls-a-play-during-the-second-half-of-their-nfl-game-against-the-tennessee-titans-in-nashville/

New England Patriots Info:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1646317-the-6-best-and-worst-moves-of-the-new-england-patriots-2013-offseason/page/6
EJ Manuel Photo:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-01/ej-manuel-back-practice-knee-buffalo-bills-opener-vs-new-england-patriots
Bills Info:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1684858-grading-every-buffalo-bills-offseason-move-to-date/page/7
http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/2013-Buffalo-Bills-Draft-Class/01183453-32f1-4b55-a6ee-9d09f0905aa4
Mike Wallace Photo:
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-07-23/sports/sfl-why-has-mike-wallace-gotten-off-to-a-slow-start-20130723_1_mike-wallace-wallace-and-tannehill-cameron-wake
Miami Dolphins info:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1689487-miami-dolphins-most-under-and-overrated-offseason-moves/page/7
The Butt Fumble Gif:
http://pandawhale.com/post/9525/mark-sanchez-butt-fumble-gif-buttfumble
2012 NFL Standings:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/standings/_/year/2012/seasontype/2