The AFC East appears highly unpredictable heading into 2024, rivaled only by the AFC North in terms of uncertainty regarding divisional favorites. Over the past four seasons, the Buffalo Bills have dominated the division, initially cruising through the first two seasons and facing tougher challenges in the last two. However, the upcoming 2024 season poses perhaps their toughest test yet. The roster underwent significant changes with numerous cuts and limited cap space, potentially making it the Bills’ most questionable lineup since 2018.
Nevertheless, Buffalo boasts the most coaching continuity and the division’s top quarterback, making it theirs to win rather than the other three teams’ to seize. Yet, there’s a greater chance than in the past four seasons that Buffalo could fail to clinch the division title.
With the NFL regular season set to kick off in less than two months, Bills fans will gather at Highmark Stadium for Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, marking the beginning of their quest for a fifth consecutive division championship. While optimism abounds among Bills supporters for a successful season, not everyone shares the same outlook.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently published an article predicting each division’s last-place team. While the Bills aren’t projected to finish last (that dubious honor goes to the New England Patriots), Moton anticipates Buffalo losing the division for the first time since 2020.
Here’s how Moton assessed the AFC East:
Moton’s prediction casts doubt on the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the Bills having won 10+ games in each of the last five seasons, projecting them to win nine games this year isn’t outlandish but is seen as improbable. Conversely, placing faith in the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets to finish ahead of the Bills is deemed far-fetched.
The Dolphins face uncertainties regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract extension amid his accuracy but struggles in cold weather games. Despite holding a significant division lead last season, Miami faltered down the stretch due to Tagovailoa’s performances and lost several underrated players during the offseason, although their offense remains largely intact with major defensive changes.
As for the Jets, upgrades have been made, but concerns linger around Aaron Rodgers’ recovery from a previous injury and questions about his commitment on the field amid offseason media scrutiny. The team also seems prone to enduring bouts of misfortune annually.
The upcoming season will undoubtedly test this Bills team, particularly with new additions to the roster. Ultimately, despite the challenges, the AFC East remains Buffalo’s division to lose.