Biggest Remaining Question For Each AFC East Team -

Keep in mind that the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills are the only teams to win the AFC East in the past 14 seasons dating back to 2009. Bill Belichick’s club captured the top spot in the division a record 11 consecutive times before the Bills broke through in 2020. Sean McDermott’s squad has won the last three AFC East titles.

So, who was the last team other than New England and Buffalo to grab the top spot in this group? That would be the Miami Dolphins in 2008. And in case you’re wondering, the last time the New York Jets won the AFC East was way back in 2002.

All four clubs were busy this offseason. What are the biggest concerns for the Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets?

Buffalo Bills

Will QB Josh Allen cut back on the turnovers?

Buffalo has reached the playoffs four straight years and quarterback Josh Allen has started every game. However, the club keeps on coming up short in the playoffs. One of the issues has been ball security by Allen. In 2022, he gave up the ball 19 times in 16 regular-season outings and had all four of Buffalo’s turnovers in two playoff games. In 2021 (including playoffs), there were 18 turnovers in 19 contests.

Miami Dolphins

Can the running game have a bigger impact?

It certainly needs to. Under first-time NFL head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The offense generated 42 touchdowns, 30 through the air, and just 12 on the ground. Free-agent additions such as running backs Damien Harris and Latavius Murray should help. The Dolphins’ attack has to be more than quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his speedy wide receivers.

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New England Patriots

Does the return of Bill O’Brien bode well for the offense?

It can’t be any worse than this past season when the club utilized one-time defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as an offensive play-caller. The Patriots finished 26th in the league in total yards per game and the offensive unit totaled only 31 touchdowns in 17 contests. Bill O’Brien is on his second tour of duty with the club and should help make life easier for quarterback Mac Jones, who suffered through a rough 2022.

New York Jets

Is the offensive line primed to be a team strength?

If veteran newcomer Aaron Rodgers is to jumpstart Robert Saleh’s offense, the trenches have to be secure. The Jets allowed 42 sacks this past season and the team was in the bottom fourth of the league in rushing yards per game (99.2 average, tied with the Dolphins). The AFC East has its share of standout pass-rushers and the Green and White needs to get some big performances from its younger blockers.