Who finishes 2nd in the AFCE this year?

[julian]

If Maye takes a big year 2 jump they have a chance, but it’s Miami right now.

[Mr. WEO]

smart money is on Miami

[stuvian]

Vrabel will get the Pats to 10 wins

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

4 hours ago, HOUSE said:

Well the Jets fan board truly believes they will win the AFC East, so 2nd must be Buffalo 

Leaded water in Long Island

 

[BillsFooteball]

Miami 10-7

Pats 9-8

Jets 5-12

[warrior9]

23 hours ago, Virgil said:

Patriots.   I think their defense will be good enough to split with the Dolphins.  I could see Maye taking a step forward

I think McDaniel is fired halfway through the year. 

 

They just haven't done enough this off season and I think they've gotten significantly worse. 

19 hours ago, stuvian said:

Vrabel will get the Pats to 10 wins

I'd guess 7-9 this year is realistic and a huge win.

[Taro Nimbus]

Bills 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

Definitely the pats

 

They can get either Carter or Hunter at 3 and will still have 8 picks left.

 

Vrabel is the no nonsense coach they need.

 

I think the gap between 1 and 2 has drastically shrunk

[mannc]

Pats.  Vrabel is a massive upgrade from Mayo and there is going to be a major influx of talent around Drake Maye.  9-8.
 

I think this is the year Miami bottoms out and McDaniel gets fired.  With Tyreek showing his age, the team’s failure to build a strong foundation in the trenches is going to come home to roost.  6-11

[stinky finger]

On 4/5/2025 at 3:55 PM, Billsfed1 said:

 

Personally, I think Miami still.  The Jets are gonna be bad for a bit still, and while the Patriots have made some nice moves, and have promise at the QB position…a contract like the one they just gave Diggs is what bad franchises do.  During our 17 years we made many like that.

 

Miami still has some firepower on offense, a good coach, I think most years they’re a 9 win team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did that little twerp get canned? I think NE finishes 2nd.

[uticaclub]

On 4/5/2025 at 12:55 PM, Billsfed1 said:

 

Personally, I think Miami still.  The Jets are gonna be bad for a bit still, and while the Patriots have made some nice moves, and have promise at the QB position…a contract like the one they just gave Diggs is what bad franchises do.  During our 17 years we made many like that.

 

Miami still has some firepower on offense, a good coach, I think most years they’re a 9 win team.

 

 

 

 

 

Its a one year $18M deal. Pats can get out of it next year for under $2M in dead cap.

 

I think Ashton Jentry could be dangerous if the fish land him in the draft and Aaron Glenn could make something out of the Jets.

 

Bills 13-4

Jets, Pats & Dolphins all 7-10

 

 

[stinky finger]

45 minutes ago, Taro Nimbus said:

Bills 

 

Cute. Who ya got winning the division?

[JerseyBills]

Not the Bills

[transient]

On 4/5/2025 at 4:24 PM, Process said:

Miami with a losing record 

I could see whomever gets 2nd having a losing record. I'm expecting an implosion year from Miami. Time for Hill to go full Antonio Brown, especially if they start slowly. The Jets mortgaged their future for a shot at a SB with Rodgers, then compounded the mistake by bringing in Green Bay's old scraps, and now they'll pay the price (more accurately, more of the price, the last two seasons were a delicious disaster as well). We'll see re the Patriots. Diggs helped Allen grow initially, and he wasn't the distraction that I was expecting in Hou, but I don't think he elevates the Pats*** WR corps in a way that makes things better for Maye, and I think his frustration with injury and father time will show. Vrabel will instill a toughness in that team over time, but I don't think they will be particularly good this year. I'm expecting at best an 8 win season from the #2.

[BigDingus]

Patriots for sure. Maye is a good player & should actually get better in year 2.

 

In recent years, it seems a lot of QBs that had great rookie seasons took a step back their sophomore year, but Maye didn't have a "great" season. I think he'll have more of a Josh trajectory, not in terms of ceiling or anything, but more so in terms of steady progress year over year.

 

That aside, I think Vrabel is just a good coach in general. He got to the AFCCG with Tannehill & riding Derek Henry. Compare that to John Harbaugh who has a 2 x MVP QB, 8 other Pro Bowlers AND riding Derek Henry. With a good D & good run game, I could easily see the Pats going 9-8 or 10-7 if key players stay healthy.

[Success]

Am I the only one who thinks Vrabel is overrated?

 

I've still got Miami in 2nd.

 

[mannc]

2 hours ago, uticaclub said:

 

 

I think Ashton Jentry could be dangerous if the fish land him 

 

 

Never heard of him…

[Rocky Landing]

It's a really good question. If the season started tomorrow, it would probably fall in the same order-- Miami, New Jersey, New England. But, it doesn't, and a lot is going to happen between now, and September, and the order could easily flip.

 

Miami has a culture problem, IMO. It's been reported, numerous times, that there are issues of accountability, and a general lack of respect for McDaniel's authority. But, beyond that, they are stuck with Tua, whose defects are as glaring as his attributes. And they still haven't properly addressed their O-line. Tua behind that O-line reminds me of Trent Edwards running Dick Jauron's no-huddle offense. They have an aging Cheetah, whose frustration, and poor attitude have become quite public. At this point in the offseason, it's easy to imagine the Fish taking another step backwards.

 

The Jets could really really see their trajectory go either way. But, if their rebuild does become a success, it still seems unlikely that they'll turn the franchise around in a season. A first-time HC (former DC) in Aaron Glenn, a relatively inexperienced OC, and Justin Fields trying to reinvent himself could work, I suppose-- but it doesn't seem like it would happen quickly. More than likely, they'll remain a bottom-dwelling team.

 

The Patriots* seem like they'd be the better candidate for one of those crazy breakout seasons. I've always been impressed with Vrabel. Josh McDaniels, and Terrel Williams both strike me as competent coordinators. I also think they were smart to bring in Doug Marrone as their O-line coach. If the Pats* build from the trenches, Drake Maye has a break-out season, and they have a decent draft, they could find some momentum, and make a run for a wild card. Why not?

 

If I had to make a prediction for the AFCE, it would be:

1. Bills
2. Patriots*
3. Dolphins
4. Jets

 

 

Edited yesterday at 12:06 AM by Rocky Landing

[BillsFooteball]

2 hours ago, Success said:

Am I the only one who thinks Vrabel is overrated?

 

I've still got Miami in 2nd.

 

I think it’s that cliche his players play hard for him and the fact he did have success with Titans.  They were the 1 seed who every team wished to face in 2021 (he was named coach of the year)  So he is does have some proven record and success without a good QB (Tannehill) unlike some unknown hires by teams that end up failing miserably. 
 

 

[Greg S]

Dolphins. Both the Jets and Pats have to prove they have turned the corner and are getting better. Until they prove it, I can't pick either one of them so it's the Dolphins for 2nd place for me.