The Patriots have won the last nine straight AFC East title and 16 of the past 18 during their run of dominance. Can the Jets or anyone else finally unseat New England? Here is a look at the rest of the division heading into training camp.
Buffalo Bills
Coach: Sean McDermott (second season)
Biggest newcomers: The biggest change in Buffalo will be under center this year. The Bills drafted Josh Allen with the No. 7-overall pick and signed AJ McCarron to compete with Nathan Peterman for the starting job. That will be the battle to watch in training camp. Allen is expected to take some time to develop. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will be overseeing that development. On defense, Star Lotulelei will be expected to help up front with another first-round pick Tremaine Edmunds manning the middle linebacker spot.
Biggest losses: The Bills shipped quarterback Tyrod Taylor to the Browns for a third-round pick as GM Brandon Beane continues to reshape the roster he inherited. There are major changes along the offensive line — with longtime center Eric Wood retiring, guard Richie Incognito retiring then asking for his release and left tackle Cordy Glenn being traded to the Bengals.
Camp outlook: The Bills snapped a 17-year playoff drought last year in McDermott’s first season in Buffalo. But they did not keep things status quo. They are making a change at quarterback and the drafting of Allen could signal the start of a rebuild.
The offense should run through running back LeSean McCoy as long as legal trouble does not keep him off the field. The situation involving his ex-girlfriend has to be a concern for the Bills as they prepare for training camp. On the field, McCoy made his third straight Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,138 yards last year.
The Bills need wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who is coming off minor knee surgery, to give the offense another threat besides McCoy.
Buffalo’s defense was young last year and should be improved with another year together.
They have a tough open to the year with three of their first four games on the road.
How they fared vs. Jets last season: Spilt the series 1-1: Beat the Jets 21-12 in Buffalo, lost 34-21 at MetLife.
Preseason schedule: Aug. 9 vs. Panthers; Aug. 17 at Browns; Aug. 26 vs. Bengals; Aug. 30 at Bears
Miami Dolphins
Coach: Adam Gase (third season)
Biggest newcomers: The Dolphins underwent major roster changes this offseason, as Gase and football czar Mike Tannenbaum tried to make a culture change in the locker room. The biggest veteran newcomers are wide receiver Danny Amendola, running back Frank Gore, defensive end Robert Quinn and guard Josh Sitton. First-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick should have a major impact at safety or cornerback, too. On the coaching side, Gase hired Dowell Loggains as his new offensive coordinator.
Biggest losses: The Dolphins got rid of their best player on offense and best player on defense. Jarvis Landry and his NFL-best 112 receptions were traded to the Browns for two draft picks. Miami released defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cleared the books of his contract. They also released longtime center Mike Pouncey.
Camp outlook: The Dolphins were a disappointing 6-10 last year after making the playoffs in 2016. That led Gase and Tannenbaum to look closer at their roster and make the sweeping changes they did.
It is hard to see the Dolphins getting better in the short term with the losses they suffered with Landry and Suh gone.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill returns after missing last year following a torn ACL. Tannehill was making improvements before initially injuring his knee in December 2016. This feels like make-or-break time for him.
On defense, Cameron Wake had 10 ½ sacks last year but he will be 36 this season and a drop-off has to come at some point.
The strength of this Dolphins team is its secondary, which only got stronger with the addition of Fitzpatrick.
How they fared vs. Jets last season: Split the series 1-1. Lost 20-6 at MetLife, beat the Jets 31-28 in Miami.
Preseason schedule: Aug. 9 vs. Buccaneers; Aug. 17 at Panthers; Aug. 25 vs. Ravens; Aug. 30 at Falcons
New England Patriots
Coach: Bill Belichick (19th season)
Biggest newcomers: Unlike last year, the Patriots did not make a lot of splashy moves in free agency. Their biggest pickup was defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who had 9.5 sacks for the Falcons last year (six in one game). They also traded for cornerback Jason McCourty, reuniting him with brother Devin in the secondary. On offense, first-round pick Sony Michel could have a big role for the Patriots. They also added veterans RB Jeremy Hill and WR Cordarrelle Patterson.
Rob GronkowskiGetty ImagesBiggest losses: Bill Belichick let a lot of talent walk out the door this year. Gone are tackle Nate Solder, WR Danny Amendola, CB Malcolm Butler, RB Dion Lewis and WR Brandin Cooks. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia also departed to take the head-coaching job with the Lions.
Camp outlook: It was a very strange offseason for the Patriots with lots of talk of unhappy players and people questioning Belichick for his decision not to play Butler in the Super Bowl. Behind-the-scenes tension is fun to talk about, but it is unlikely to affect the machine that is the Patriots.
They still have Tom Brady, who showed no signs of decline last year. He won the MVP at the age of 40 after throwing for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns. Yes, he did not produce enough magic to win the Super Bowl, but he did throw for 505 yards in the game.
Rob Gronkowski is back after some trade rumors. Julian Edelman is coming back from an ACL tear, though he will miss the team’s first four games with a PED suspension.
You can point out holes on defense or at receiver, but do you want to bet against the Patriots winning the division?
How they fared vs. Jets last season: Patriots swept the series 2-0. Won 24-17 at MetLife and 26-6 at home.
Preseason schedule: Aug. 9 vs. Redskins; Aug. 16 vs. Eagles; Aug. 24 at Panthers; Aug. 30 at Giants





