The tide is turning in the AFC East 2024, but one thing remains constant. The Miami Dolphins dominate the regular season, or at least the warmer months.
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In 2023, the AFC East was bisected. On top were the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Each team won 11 games and finished with a point differential over +100. On the bottom were the New York Jets and New England Patriots. This pair each finished under .500 with a differential under -75. The line of demarcation was clear.
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From the outside, it sure seems like that line is going to disappear in 2024, or at least move down a peg. With the player exoduses that took place in Buffalo and Miami, both of those teams could be taking steps back to the pack this season. And with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the Jets should be improving by default. New England is likely still in the basement tier, but it may be by itself in ’24. Who will dominate the AFC East in 2024?
AFC East Division Preview
Todd Salem – Dolphins Dominate
All four of these teams could have really good defenses. The Jets and Patriots would seem to be atop the grouping, but maybe not by much. What will really set NE back is its offense. Unless Drake Maye enters the league like CJ Stroud, this offense is going to struggle. A great defense with a quarterback who cannot elevate those around him is pretty much just the Jets from last season. That would seem to be New England’s absolute ceiling since its skill players are much worse than New York’s.
From there, things get interesting. Buffalo has the best quarterback in the division, Miami has the best group of skill players in the entire AFC, the Jets have the best defense and a Hall of Famer returning behind center. The top three should be fun.
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I would personally grab Miami for the top spot. I think Buffalo has seen too many quality pieces go out the door in recent years to keep up its elite play. Any team with Josh Allen will vie for contention, but the East is too good.
All of a sudden, the Bills look like a ground-bound team looking to run the ball at every opportunity, including with its quarterback. But the defense is no longer elite, so they aren’t winning the field position battle if games become battles of attrition.
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Compare that to the Dolphins. Miami’s weak spot on offense is arguably its quarterback: a man who already has a top-10 MVP finish and a Pro Bowl on his resume. Tua Tagovailoa is no slouch, even if he isn’t among the elite at the position. Pair that with a defense full of stars at each level. There are health concerns with this defense, but if we’re mapping out likely scenarios, this defense is going to be really good most iterations of the 2024 season.
I like that recipe a bit more than the uncertainty in New York. How will Rodgers hold up? How will the offense actually look with Rodgers at the helm? Can the offensive line stay healthy? How does the coaching staff perform with this seemingly being their last chance? It’s hard to be worried about anything on defense, but we know an elite defense on its own is not enough to win anything.
1. Miami
2. New York
3. Buffalo
4. New England
Dan Salem – Miami Dolphins Edge Out New York Jets
I despise the Miami Dolphins and they keep proving me right. Miami is great in September, October and early November. They stink in late November and December. Being a good regular season team is usually enough to win a division, but it ultimately means nothing. They are a warm-weather team with a known ceiling and obvious weaknesses as the season wears on. All that being said, if the Dolphins come out hot like last year, they will win more than ten games and take the AFC East.
The Bills are in a tough spot, because nobody believes in them, but everyone is getting old on that roster. A chip on their shoulder won’t be enough to overcome tough competition from all but the Patriots. Josh Allen will get this team a winning season, but we agree they finish in third place. The AFC East is going to be very good and Buffalo does not have the elite talent that both Miami and New York possess. The downfall of the Bills is upon us.
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New England is rebuilding and will have a bad year, so that leaves my New York Jets. Just how good will the Jets be with Aaron Rodgers? How healthy will they be and can the coaching staff keep out of it’s own way? I say the Jets remain healthy and do keep out of their own way. I’m not sure how good Rodgers will be, but Breece Hall makes it a moot point. He is great and so are Garrett Wilson and his receiving teammates. Less will be more for the Jets. New York will reach double-digit victories this season.
So who wins the AFC East? I’m with you, unfortunately. The Dolphins secure a division title, but only barely. The Jets make the playoffs and Buffalo is the odd man out. Watching New York eliminate the Dolphins in the playoffs will be sweet.
1. Miami
2. New York
3. Buffalo
4. New England
Meet our Writers:
Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.
Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.
Miami Dolphins Photo Credits: starlocalmedia.com and reddit.com via Getty Images
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