With a season-ending injury to New England Patriots’ starting quarterback Tom Brady taking place in the very first game of the 2008 NFL regular season and knocking the three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback out for the entirety of the 2008 season - the new-look Miami Dolphins readily walked through the slightly opened door – to unexpectedly beat out the Patriots and win their first division title since 2000, snapping a five-year reign by the Patriots in the process.

Led by the respected former NFL head coach, turned front office personnel leader Bill Parcells and right-hand man and second-year head coach Tony Sparano, the Dolphins have plans on crashing the postseason again in 2010 and would love nothing better than to beat out the Pats for their second consecutive AFC east division title.

However, with Brady returning and a cast of new additions, the Patriots, who tied Miami with an 11-5 record last season, have plans of their own on getting back their AFC East division title.

Lest anyone forget, the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills will also be trying to climb to the top of the mountain in the AFC East.

Here is a brief look at each AFC East team, followed by my brief analysis on each franchises respective chances of winning the AAFC East in 2010.

AFC East NFL Betting Odds

New England Patriots -400

Analysis: I think the Patriots (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U) had one of the best offseason free agent signing periods of any team in the game, adding veteran running back Fred Taylor, wide receivers Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis, tight ends Chris Baker and Alex Smith as well as cornerback Shawn Springs.

Maybe it’s me, but I’m thinking the Pats are gearing up for another big-time run at the Super Bowl.

New York Jets +700

Analysis: The Jets (9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U) had a solid season in 2008 under former head coach Eric Mangini and single-season quarterback Brett Favre, but fell short of their preseason expectations and flamed out down the stretch of the regular season, losing four of their final five games to miss out on the postseason altogether. Now New York has a new leader in first-time NFL head coach and former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. The team will also have a new starting quarterback this season and it could be rookie Mark Sanchez, the No. 4 overall draft pick this season. While Ryan is an accomplished defensive coach and the Jets have plenty of young talent on their roster, I think the Jets go through a big learning process this season as they likely take a step back with their regular season record in 2009.

Buffalo Bills +800

Analysis: The Buffalo Bills (7-9 SU, 7-9 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U) foolishly and surprisingly added enigmatic wide receiver Terrell Owens to a roster of players that may not come close to sniffing a postseason appearance in 2009, more or less a Super Bowl title. While starting quarterback Trent Edwards completed 65 percent of his passes last season, he has clearly taken a step backwards from the poised young signal caller he looked like two seasons ago, ranking 17th in passer rating while throwing just 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and just 2,699 yards (23rd). Buffalo drafted center Eric Wood in the first round this season, but will have its work more than cut out in trying to record a winning season while staying afloat in the improving AFC East.

Miami Dolphins +800

Analysis: The Miami Dolphins (11-5 SU, 8-8 ATS, 6-10 O/U) surprised the heck out of everyone in Bill Parcells first season as player personnel director and brought back a long-abandoned offensive formation (Wildcat) that focused on the strengths of running back Ronnie Brown being able to create plays and misdirection from under center. Miami also benefited from the steady leadership of veteran quarterback Chad Pennington whom the Dolphins wisely snapped up after the new York Jets parted ways with the efficient signal caller following their courtship of Brett Favre.

Now, with Defensive lineman Jason Taylor back in the fold and another batch of young players joining the team following this year’s NFL Draft, the Dolphins are expecting to be even better and are once again going to win the AFC East according to loud-mouthed All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter. While I will refrain from prematurely naming the Dolphins as AFC East champions, I think they will have an excellent chance to win the division again – but only if the New England Patriots slip up in a big way.

Prediction: I’ve got to go with my head and not my heart as a lifelong Miami Dolphins fans here BetUS NFL betting enthusiasts. I like the New England Patriots to win the AFC East in 2009 with Tom Brady leading the way for the revamped Pats.

The fact of the matter is that, not many teams can still manage to win 11 games like the Patriots did last season after losing their starting quarterback in the first game of the regular season.

Now, with Brady back in the fold and several wily veterans that still have a bit of gas left in the tank, I say the New England Patriots win the AFC East in 2009.


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