Aaron Rodgers return will push Jets to double-digit wins

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Even with the Jets’ season primarily ending when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the fourth snap in Week 1 final season, the AFC East nonetheless managed to ship two groups to the postseason. 

Now, Rodgers is again with the Jets, and the Payments and Dolphins hope to construct off profitable seasons. The Patriots, in the meantime, seem like within the midst of a whole rebuild. 

Try our AFC East preview and greatest guess, with present win totals and odds through DraftKings. 

Payments: 10.5 wins (+130/-155) 

The Payments have completed first within the division in every of the previous 4 years.

Nevertheless, they’ve had heartbreak after heartbreak within the playoffs, and their path to the Tremendous Bowl received’t get any simpler this season. 

Buffalo misplaced some key expertise this offseason, together with huge receivers Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs.

Including Chase Claypool, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the huge receiver room will maintain the offense afloat, however don’t be stunned in the event that they wrestle at first of the season on that facet of the ball. 

Dolphins: 9.5 wins (-135/+115) 

Despite the fact that the Dolphins had been steamrolled within the playoffs at Arrowhead final season, it’s exhausting to label their season (11-6) as something aside from an total success. 

Tua Tagovailoa threw for essentially the most yards of any NFL quarterback, whereas additionally ending third in completion proportion amongst quarterbacks who performed at the very least 16 video games. 

Tagovailoa was terrific, but it surely definitely helps to have Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. as targets. The well being of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, two of the quickest working backs within the NFL, shall be paramount. 

The Dolphins’ most distinguished query marks shall be their skill to remain wholesome and whether or not or not their defensive replacements for Christian Wilkins and Xavien Howard can bridge the hole. 

Jets: 9.5 wins (-150/+125) 

Although the Jets needs to be considerably higher with the return of Rodgers, that doesn’t imply the offense will hit its ceiling.

Between Rodgers’ minicamp absence and the truth that he’s unlikely to look in any preseason video games, it’s to be decided whether or not or not he could have an acceptable quantity of chemistry together with his offensive weapons. 

Nonetheless, the Jets’ protection, led by cornerback Sauce Gardner, shall be one of many high models within the league and will help the offense overcome a doubtlessly sluggish begin to the season. 

Patriots: 4.5 wins (-150/+125) 

After logging simply 4 wins final 12 months throughout the worst season of Invoice Belichick’s profession, the Patriots parted methods with their future Corridor of Fame coach. Jerod Mayo has a troublesome act to comply with. 

After hiring Mayo as head coach, discovering a quarterback was prioritized. Final season, the Patriots had horrendous quarterback play, partly resulting from personnel but in addition a product of a morbidly poor roster. 

New England traded Mac Jones to Jacksonville in March and snagged North Carolina’s Drake Maye within the draft. Nevertheless, Maye won’t have a lot assist for the reason that workforce parted methods with WR DeVante Parker and TE Mike Gesicki this offseason. Count on one other tough season forward. 

AFC East greatest guess 

If the Jets can win seven video games with Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle below middle, they definitely can string collectively 10 wins with Rodgers on the helm. 

Rodgers threw an uncharacteristic 12 interceptions in 2022, however traditionally, he’s terribly environment friendly and turnover-averse. In reality, he had not thrown greater than eight interceptions for the reason that 2010 season earlier than his final 12 months with the Packers, who had important huge receiver points on the time. 

Between a possible regression by the Payments, a high-octane offense and an overwhelming defensive unit that can inevitably get extra relaxation this season, the Jets ought to simply win 11 or 12 video games. 

Suggestion: Jets over 9.5 wins (-150, DraftKings).