The AFC East

The Patriots need a throwback jersey game, badly

I think one of the understated stories from last year's NFL season was the New England Patriots going 11-5 as their leader was out for the entire season and still missed out on the playoffs.

How is this not being talked about? The Pats played as well as they probably could with an inexperienced quarterback who couldn't possibly utitilize the team's best player (Randy Moss) all of this with no running game and an aging defense.

Still, they got 11 wins and still missed the stinking the playoffs.

Above all that, they couldn't beat out the upstart, Bill Parcells-led Miami Dolphins, who pulled out every trick in the book (wildcat, robo-arm Chad Pennington) to eke out 11 wins.

Just seems like an unfair, crazy year. And everyone wants to talk about the Arizona Cardinals.

New England Patriots -- 13-3
The Pats went defense with their top three picks (all second rounders), so I think a stout squad could get better. Or at least deeper. Their front eight are salty. Offensively, they always get it done and there's little doubt they'll get it done again. Despite having no running backs and no depth at receiver. They have three, maybe four, tough games this year. I doubt they see a lot of trouble along the way.

Miami Dolphins -- 10-6
The Dolphins are one Chad Pennington shoulder injury away from being pretty bad. Still, they added Gibril Wilson and Jason Ferguson, and drafted Vontae Davis and Pat White. I think they drop a little, but not much. I guess we'll see how real this team is.

Buffalo Bills -- 7-9
Fantasy alert: I don't know how good Trent Edwards actually is, but he has little excuse to fail with Lee Evans, Terrell Owens, Josh Reed, James Hardy, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes around him. The offensive line is suspect and the defense is probably marginal. Often, marginal can win you some games. Tough sked kills them.

New York Jets -- 5-11
Is Mark Sanchez that good? Can their best receiver leave and they not miss a beat? Is the defense that great? Was Eric Mangini a Mangenius? Sure, they have a favorable schedule, but if there's too many questions and not enough answers, what do you get?