Our 1st quarter grades now take us up to the eastern side of the NFL, specifically with the AFC east. Normally you would think that the New England Patriots would have this division wrapped up. But things seem to be different and a new day could be dawning. Lets take a deeper look.
New York Jets: 1-3, 4th in division
Grade: C-
Now the reason that I chose THAT exact picture to represent the Jets is because that is exactly how I feel when I watch them. For them to have that good a defense( certainly haven't played that way for the past 3 weeks) this team is in desperate need of a culture change. And I can already guess a lot of you think I'm going to say that Mike Vick should be the QB instead of Geno Smith too huh? Well you'd actually be dead wrong. What good would having Vick in for Geno solve? That's like saying I'm trading a indecisive QB in for a walking hospital patient looking for that last great hit to send him out of the league. The issues with the jets aren't the fact that they don't have a QB, thats small on the list. The big thing they are missing is a true number one receiver. And don't try to give me that Eric Decker is the number one, that man is nothing more than a overpaid number 3 receiver currently playing like a number 2. This team offensively is going to have issues and the secondary doesn't make it any better when they are not only depleted but they can't read coverages to save their souls.
Next 4 games: at San Diego, vs Denver, at New England, vs Buffalo
Difficulty: 9/10
New England Patriots: 2-2, Tied for 1st in division
Grade: C
Two words: DYNASTY OVER. Two more words: No offense. This team used to run the AFC East, but a lot of teams now see what to do in order to beat the Patriots, or rather they cracked the "Brady Code": Stop Gronk, and you win. Now I have absolutely nothing to say when it comes to that pass defense, they scare me more than the Legion of Boom does. But if the monday night game vs Kansas City was proof, the Pats need to strengthen that defense, especially in the running department and find a way to get some offensive firepower for Brady or else the teams they face later in the season will be having patriots for breakfast, lunch, dinner and have a doggy bag to take home.
Next 4 games: vs Cincinnati, at Buffalo, vs New York, vs Chicago
Difficulty: 7.5/10
Miami Dolphins: 2-2, Tied for 1st in division
Grade: B
I don't have much to say about the Dolphins that would be bad. The one thing I can say is they need to be more dangerous in the passing department in order to win the division and with an okay schedule it might be possible to do so, especially if the team from week 1 shows up. Now by saying that, it also means trusting Ryan Tannehill to take you to the promise land and have you win a division that is truly for the first time for the taking.
Next 4 games: vs Green Bay, at Chicago, at Jacksonville, vs San Diego
Difficulty: 6.5/10
Buffalo Bills: 2-2, Tied for 1st in division
This is the one team I'm personally pulling for more than my home team of the Detroit Lions, and truthfully it kills me that I have to down what they have done so far knowing that against those same Lions they won't win. This team and its fans have suffered; with the loss of an owner, to Jim Kelly fighting and beating cancer( thank the heavens), this team is the one good story I've been holding onto throughout this season. But back to critiquing this team and my biggest issue with them would have to be the fact that the QB position isn't as good as it should be. I somewhat wish they didnt move up to draft Sammy Watkins because with that they won't be able to go after Mariota or Winston in next years draft. But hopefully after week 5 they will be able to right the ship and get into the playoffs, because this team definitely deserves it.
Next 4 games: at Detroit, vs New England, vs Minnesota, at New York
Difficulty: 6.5/10
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