NFL Preseason Predictions: East Divisions

Photo by LM Otero from The Associated Press

Halfway through my college football previews, I realized something.

I preview every team. Every conference. The whole thing.

But when it comes to NFL time, all I do is talk about who I think will make the playoffs, and who might just miss out.

There’s only 32 teams.

Why not discuss all of them?

So, here we go.

I will go division by division, listing where they will rank, and which ones will make the playoffs.

Today, we discuss the East.

AFC East

4. Miami Dolphins (No Playoffs)

The bottom two teams of this division were a tough thing to figure out.

In the end, I landed on the Dolphins finishing last in the division.

All in all, it’s just a talent deficiency here in Miami.

Year one is a tank year for Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan.

Hope that Malik Willis looks like an option and works well with Devon Achane, and then build in the draft.

3. New York Jets (No Playoffs)

But that doesn’t mean the Jets are going to be much better than them.

I doubt the Jets will go another year without getting a single interception, but let’s play a game real quickly.

Who is the New York Jets starting quarterback right now?

It’s Geno Smith.

A trade which I completely forgot happened.

And I don’t think Aaron Glenn is a great head coach.

So even though the Jets have some talent, like Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, and I absolutely loved their draft, I still don’t think they’re going to be great.

2. New England Patriots (No Playoffs)

The first controversial take, among many.

I actually think the Super Bowl runner ups from last year will be a better team this year than they were last year.

Drake Maye should continue to grow, and the whole team will continue to improve in year 2 under Mike Vrabel’s system.

However, last year, the Pats had the easiest schedule of the 21st century.

This year, their schedule looks to be an absolute nightmare in comparison, facing 8 teams that made the playoffs last year, and two of the teams that didn’t were the Chiefs and the Lions, two teams I think will be improved this year.

Add in the historic Super Bowl hangover that comes for everyone, and I have them just barely missing the playoffs.

1. Buffalo Bills (#4 Seed)

I actually don’t love the Bills this year, to be honest.

Josh Allen is absolutely outstanding, obviously. And their run game was dominant. That should continue with Joe Brady taking over as head coach after a few years of being the offensive coordinator.

The issue is, even though they added DJ Moore, I don’t love their weapons, and I’m extremely interested to see what their defense looks like now that Sean McDermott is gone.

Jim Leonard takes over as DC, and is someone who I think is a very good coordinator, but the talent on that side of the ball doesn’t wow me.

And will Joe Brady even be a great head coach? We have seen many hot shot coordinators fail as head coaches. This is by no means a sure fire hit.

They’ll win the division, but I do wonder if last year was their best shot.

NFC East

4. Washington Commanders (No Playoffs)

It’s all dependent on Jayden Daniels.

He was healthy in his rookie year, and the Commanders found their way to the NFC Championship game.

He wasn’t healthy last year, and the roof caved in.

And now, with left tackle Laremy Tunsil out (and an unnecessary off the field lawsuit with LSU), it’s already been a tough training camp for Jayden Daniels.

I’m just not sure he has the frame, or play style, to stay healthy.

And while they added Sonny Styles to improve the defense in the draft, it’s still not an elite defense, and they have some tough offenses to deal with within the division.

3. New York Giants (No Playoffs)

Speaking of QBs who have a play style I don’t like, Jaxson Dart begins his first season as the clear cut starter in New York.

I saw flashes last year of him being super talented.

I also saw flashes of him playing like a wrecking ball and getting banged up.

But now John Harbaugh takes over after an 18 year long stint in Baltimore, and while Ravens fans can say what they want about him, he is a smart coach who can reign in some of Dart’s style and have him play within a system.

Add in a pass rush that should be elite, and I like the Giants going forward.

But not this year.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (#6 Seed)

The story of the Philadelphia Eagles in the Jalen Hurts era is a story of offensive coordinators.

Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore? Two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl title.

Brian Johnson and Kevin Patullo? The offense completely underperforms, as do the Philadelphia Eagles.

But even in those years the Eagles underperformed, they still won 11 games.

So it’s hard to look at this team with the talent they have, and a Vic Fangio led defense, as a team that will flat out miss the playoffs, or underperform.

But there was a weird offseason vibe with Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni is using AI to give team speeches.

Really, really good team.

Weird vibes.

1. Dallas Cowboys (#2 Seed)

Yep. I believe.

The Cowboys offense in year one under Brian Schottenheimer last year was absolutely outstanding.

The only downside was a horrendous defense.

But after the Cowboys traded for Quinnen Williams, the defense improved, and I absolutely loved their offseason.

No drama from Jerry Jones. No issues with George Pickens and the franchise tag. Built the defense through the draft, including my absolute favorite pick of the whole draft in Caleb Downs.

I’m a believer in the Dallas Cowboys.

And when has that ever gone wrong?