Caleb Wilfinger
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The 2022 NFL season is almost here. The marathon battle for the Lombardi Trophy begins on September 8 with Thursday Night Football featuring the Bills and Rams. In addition to breaking down all 32 teams, we’ll be diving into each NFL division, plus our best bets.
First up is the AFC East, where the script has flipped in recent years. Instead of the New England Patriots as the favorites, the Buffalo Bills are the odds-on favorites for the second straight season. In fact, it is the Miami Dolphins who are expected to beat out New England for second place in the division this fall. There could be multiple playoff teams to emerge from the AFC East, but oddsmakers are not bullish on that prospect. Both the Dolphins and Patriots are plus-money to make the playoffs, which brings value if you are bullish on either team. Bringing up the rear is the New York Jets, who are expected to spend another year in the basement.
But before we jump in, be sure to read all our 2022 NFL preview content from the NFL tab. This includes our picks for the Super Bowl, AFC, NFC, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.
AFC East teams
The AFC East teams are the Buffalo Bills (current champions), Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.
AFC East odds
FanDuel Sportsbook has the Bills as favorites at -220 odds, with the Dolphins at +450, the Patriots at +500 and the Jets as a longshot at +2400.
Buffalo Bills preview
This feels like the Bills year in the AFC. Buffalo has gradually gotten better each season, much like Josh Allen. In fact, the Bills could have had a Super Bowl appearance already. With a bad taste in their mouths following 2021’s playoff exit, the Bills should play with extra motivation this fall.
The loss of Brian Daboll hurts, but new OC Ken Dorsey should do just fine at the controls. Dorsey and Allen have a strong relationship, and nothing leads me to believe that this will change. Furthermore, the schedule isn’t daunting at all. The Bills should cruise through the rest of the AFC East, as Allen has owned this division of late. And with the AFC North and AFC West profiling as extremely difficult this year, the Bills should hold the No. 1 seed come January. Buffalo should start strong and coast to an AFC East title for the 3rd straight season.
Read our full Buffalo Bills 2022 season preview
Miami Dolphins preview
Miami’s big splash in the offseason was bringing in Tyreek Hill to ignite the offense. The dynamic wide receiver should be able to do just that. In 4 of the last 5 seasons, Hill has gained at least 1,183 receiving yards. Additionally, he’s caught at least 12 touchdown passes in 2 of the previous 4 years. It goes without saying that playing in the Chiefs’ offense helps and playing with Patrick Mahomes is a huge plus for Hill. However, there is no doubt that he is talented enough to reshape the Dolphins offense and provide a new spark for Tua Tagovailoa.
The schedule isn’t easy, but the Dolphins have fare well against the Patriots and Jets of late. Outside of the division, Miami still gets games against the Lions, Bears and Texans to help out their record. If the defense simply remains as consistent as it was last season, this team can improve. This is a confident group with a chance to take the next big step.
Check out our full Miami Dolphins 2022 season preview
New England Patriots preview
The biggest thing holding the Patriots back from success in 2022 is their own division. With Buffalo as the kings of the AFC East and the Dolphins new additions, it could be tough sledding for New England. However, the schedule isn’t bad to start the year.
Since the majority of their tough opponents will come after their Week 10 bye, the Patriots time to strike is early on. It’s possible for the Patriots to be 6-3 by the time they head into their bye, even with games against Baltimore and Green Bay. New England catches a break in getting the Browns during the last week of Deshaun Watson’s suspension, a game that they’ll need to win. The problem is the rest of the schedule. The back half of the campaign is when it gets tough with the Patriots facing the Bills twice, along with the Cardinals, Raiders and Bengals.
This is Mac Jones’ team, for better or worse. Jones will look to lead the Patriots back to the postseason for the second straight season, but the road won’t be easy down the stretch.
Check out our full New England Patriots 2022 season preview
New York Jets preview
It’s rare that the Jets get an easy start to a season, and that won’t change in 2022. The Jets will take on each of the AFC North teams in a row to start the year. New York will then run the gauntlet against the Packers, Broncos, Patriots and Bills. That’s not an ideal start considering New York will be breaking in a lot of new, young talent. The schedule is a bit more manageable toward the end of the year, with games against the Bears, Lions, Jaguars and Seahawks among New York’s final 7 matchups. By that point, the Jets’ promising rookies on both sides of the ball should have firmly settled into the NFL. However, these games against some weaker opponents should only serve as building blocks for the future.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to see the Jets breaking through this season considering the schedule and division. I don’t see this team reaching the playoffs, and it will likely be another year of rebuilding at the Meadowlands.
Read our full New York Jets 2022 season preview
2022 AFC East predictions and best bet: Buffalo Bills to win AFC East (-220)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Bills are overwhelming -220 favorites to win this division, and for good reason. Buffalo is a well-oiled machine and should be poised to wrap this division up early. Those who prefer a little less juice might prefer to take the Bills to win more than 11.5 wins instead.
First, the schedule looks nice for Buffalo and they should be a long way ahead of .500 by the halfway stage. The Bills went 5-1 in the division last season, losing only to New England in a wild game played in terrible conditions. The Patriots did well enough last season but they are not the force of old, and a bigger challenge could emerge from the Dolphins, who have no lack of offensive talent but QB Tua Tagovailoa still has to prove he can maximise its potential. The Jets are not lacking for weapons these days, either, but they look a year or two further away from putting it all together. Barring key injury issues, the Bills should show the way in the East again.
We’ll have NFL picks for EVERY matchup of the 2022 season
AFC East standings 2021
Buffalo Bills, 11-6 (5-1 in division)
New England Patriots, 10-7 (3-3 in division)
Miami Dolphins, 9-8 (4-2 in division)
New York Jets, 4-13 (0-6 in division)
AFC East champions
2021 Buffalo Bills, 11-6
2020 Buffalo Bills, 13-3
2019 New England Patriots 12-4
2018 New England Patriots, 11-5
2017 New England Patriots, 13-3
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