As tight as the division is projected to look this season, the New England Patriots will finish the year playing in three straight divisional games — Dolphins, Bills, Jets — that could very well determine the outcome of the AFC East.
For the first time in 20 years, Bill Belichick and the Patriots find themselves surrounded by teams that are actually capable of taking the division right out from under them this year. It’s something that has only happened three times during Belichick’s coaching tenure in New England: 2000, 2002, and 2008.
With Tom Brady now out of the AFC East, the playing field is essentially “even,” as all four teams in the division have intentions of utilizing a starting quarterback that is at least 23 years old or younger.