AFC East: What Needs Fixing For Each Team in 2021? -

The New England Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Buffalo Bills won the AFC East for the first time since 1995. The Miami Dolphins won at least 10 games for the first time since 2016. And the New York Jets flirted with a 0-16 season. The AFC East was full of ups and downs and more significantly, transition. So what areas do each of these clubs need to address to be better teams in 2021?

NOTE: 2020 win-loss records include playoffs

Buffalo Bills (14-4)

Sean McDermott’s club came within a victory at Kansas City of the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1993. While third-year quarterback Josh Allen made significant strides from his first two seasons, the defense appeared to head in the opposite direction and was taken apart on two separate occasions by the Chiefs. Leslie Frazier’s could use more help on the defensive front when it comes to the run and rushing the passer.

Miami Dolphins (10-6)

The AFC was so loaded this past season that it took at least 11 wins to qualify for the postseason. While Brian Flores’ club doubled its victory total from 2019, the Dolphins lacked consistency. The team led the NFL with 29 takeaways and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (9 sacks) was a boost to the pass rush. Miami parted ways with Kyle Van Noy after one season and GM Chris Grier could be looking for better linebacker play.

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New England Patriots (7-9)

For all of the talk quarterback Cam Newton and the team’s lack of offensive weapons, perhaps the bigger issue when it comes to this team lies on the other side of the ball. Back to the offense. It won’t become official until March 17 but tackle Trent Brown is headed back to Foxborough via a trade with the Raiders. In terms of playmakers, Josh McDaniels’ attack could benefit from a downfield threat at the tight end position.

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New York Jets (2-14)

The team dropped its first 13 games in 2020. And while some speculated that the franchise wasn’t all that interested in winning, the club went out and knocked off the playoff-bound Rams (on the road) and Browns. There’s been plenty of speculation about the future of quarterback Sam Darnold but GM Joe Douglas and new head coach Robert Saleh will be looking for all kinds of help for the NFL’s bottom-ranked offense of 2020.