NFL Pre-Season Picks- AFC East and NFC East

A double whammy today as we tackle both the AFC and NFC East divisions. The AFC East has long been dominated by the New England Patriots, under the leadership of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. However, the Patriots might enter the season with the most question marks in a long time. Aaron Hernandez is now out of the NFL, Wes Welker is in Denver, Rob Gronkowski is still recovering from back and wrist injuries, and the defense is still very young. For 2013 this is what I see:

1. New England Patriots 10-6

Yes, the Patriots have tons of question marks. But they can overcome it. For one, this is still a very weak division. They still have by far the best quarterback in Tom Brady. And I believe some younger weapons will emerge, specifically Danny Amendola, Shane Vereen, and Kenbrell Thompkins. Plus, I don't believe that Gronk will miss significant time. And let's not forget this team can RUN the football about as well as anybody. I'll grant you that the defense is still young and experienced, but I do believe that it's talented, and still believe that it will be playing from ahead in more games than not.

2. Miami Dolphins 7-9 

Many people believe that the Dolphins are the sleeper team to watch out for in the AFC East. The positives are that Ryan Tannehill actually looked competent last year at quarterback, and should only continue to grow. They signed Mike Wallace to be Tannehill's deep threat. And personally, I believe that RB Lamar Miller is set up for a breakout season, after the departure of Reggie Bush. But the fact remains, those weapons aren't as good as New England's, and although their defense will be solid, I'm not sure that it will be much better than the Patriots, if at all. This team will make strides, but is still too young to seriously compete.

3. Buffalo Bills 6-10

This is still a team in the rebuilding process. But I'm starting to like the pieces they have put together. EJ Manuel may not be special, but I think he can develop into a quality NFL starter. CJ Spiller broke out last year, and will break out all the way this season, as he is now locked and loaded as the feature RB. Stevie Johnson is a quality WR, but probably more suited to being a number two guy, but the drafting of Robert Woods should open up the coverage for Johnson. I wouldn't be shocked if they actually finished second in this division.

4. New York Jets 4-12

What an absolute mess of a situation. They are still trying to convince themselves that Mark Sanchez is capable quarterback. But Geno Smith will start now that Sanchez is hurt. Either way, this team is void of offensive weapons to help out the young QB. The defense should be alright, but the offense will be so pathetic that it will wear down their defense over the season.



NFC EAST: The Washington Redskins, led by RG3, took the league by storm last season and made an improbable run to the playoffs, winning seven straight games to close the year. The Dallas Cowboys disappointed yet again, and seem to fit the definition of mediocrity perfectly.

1. Dallas Cowboys 10-6

Believe it or not, I'm falling for the Dallas Cowboys this season. I have no reason to, since all they show is self-destruction constantly in the final month of seasons. But a couple of factors to keep in mind. Tony Romo is going to have more control of the offense this year, and before you laugh at that consider that he is an extremely productive regular season quarterback. Perhaps this is the year DeMarco Murray stays healthy? If so, they'll have a respectable ground game. Dez Bryant is a beast, and will challenge Calvin Johnson for the best WR in football this season. And Miles Austin and Jason Witten aren't dead yet. I think the defense will be better than people think. It's just a gut feeling, but I think this is the Cowboys year.

2. Washington Redskins 10-6

I love RG3. I really do. And if there is a team I'd root for in this division it'd be the Redskins because of him. But you have to be at least a tiny bit concerned that he won't come back as the same player. I believe in his passing. But what made it so difficult for defenses was that they had to chase down one of the fastest players in the NFL. I'm not convinced he'll be able to run it like he did a season ago. True, they still have Alfred Morris at RB, and potentially Pierre Garçon back and fully healthy. Plus, if they could ever get Brian Orakpo to stay healthy, then he brings a lethal dimension to this defense. The bottom line is that I think the expectations are way to high on this team, on this quarterback. They'll finish just short.

3. Philadelphia Eagles 7-9

Count me as a slight believer in Chip Kelly and Michael Vick this season. I think Kelly's offense will throw defenses off. Plus, it's not just about the system. It's about who they have running it. Michael Vick will be extremely effective as long as he stays healthy. LeSean McCoy will re-emerge as an elite RB, as will DeSean Jackson to a lesser degree at WR. The defense might be weak, but I think this team is capable of winning a few shootouts.

4. New York Giants 6-10

Something just doesn't smell right this year for the Giants. Perhaps it's the fact that they've lost several quality players to injuries in the pre-season. Perhaps it's the fact that unproven David Wilson is the only quality RB on the depth chart until Andre Brown returns from his broken leg. Perhaps it's the fact that Eli Manning is still wildly inconsistent and has only Victor Cruz as a reliable weapon (Hakeem Nicks is just one of those players who will always be hurt). Maybe I'm wrong. But I got a horrible gut feeling this season is going to go south for the Giants in 2013.