The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThe AFC East saw the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets face off against each other in a battle for supremacy. It would be the Patriots who finished top of the division, ahead of the Jets, Bills and Dolphins.
Patriots (12-4)
Jets (10-6)
Bills (8-8)
Dolphins (6-10)
New England Patriots – 12-4 (#2 seed)
Divisional Weekend – L 20-18 @ Broncos
The Patriots came into 2015 as the reigning Super Bowl Champions, having beaten the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Under Bill Belichick and with Tom Brady at the helm, it looked like they had enough go on to become Champions again this year. They went perfect through the first part of the season, reaching 10-0, but then struggled through games, losing four of their last six to finish at 12-4.
They went through to the playoffs as the #2 seed in the AFC and got the bye in the first round of the playoffs. A win against the Chiefs got them into the AFC Championship Game, but it was there that it ended. A failed two-point conversion was enough to seal their fate, losing 20-18 to Denver.
They will not have a first-round pick in the draft after the ‘Deflategate’ scandal in 2014.
New York Jets – 10-6
Finished #7 seed, missing out on head-to-head with the Steelers
Coming into the season, the Jets were not seen as playoff contenders, and after ten games, they struggled to just 5-5. A run of five straight wins saw them move into a playoff spot at 10-5, but a defeat in Week 17 saw them fall out of the top 6 in the AFC, with the Steelers taking that final playoff spot. With the possibility of Colin Kaepernick at QB for next season, the Jets may push even further in 2016.
The Jets will have the 20th pick in the draft.
Buffalo Bills – 8-8
After a 3-3 start, the Bills were still in contention after seven weeks. However, Buffalo then fell away after Week 10, with four defeats in their next five games leaving them outside of the playoff chances. Despite two wins in their last two games, the Bills could only manage a .500 record and will have work to do in the offseason.
The Bills will pick just before the Jets, with the 19th pick in the draft.
Miami Dolphins – 6-10
The Miami Dolphins struggled in 2015, only winning six games in their season. After opening with a win, three straight defeats saw them fall away. Another couple of defeats followed and from the on, chances of playoff football wained, with the team not able to string wins together. They will be looking to improve for next season.
Miami will take an early pick, with the 8th choice after having the easiest of the schedules of the four teams that recorded a 6-10 season.
2016:
The Patriots will go in as clear favourites for the division title again, but if the Jets get hold of Colin Kaepernick, it could be a two-horse race for the AFC East. The Bills and Dolphins both have much work to do if they are to challenge for a place in the playoffs in January 2017.
