Despite some uncertainty through parts of the 2022 NFL season, the AFC East ended the way everyone expected when they kicked off in September. However, will this be the only time the Bills are crowned champs this season? Let’s discuss.
Should we be concerned with Buffalo?
Well that was something. Multiple kickoffs returned for a touchdown, and a great story to end what was an emotional week in Buffalo. However, now the real work begins. Well, maybe not. A Wild Card Weekend date with the Dolphins won’t scare anyone in Bills Mafia, but for the team that opened the season as Super Bowl favorites, now is when the real season starts. Last year was the famous 13 second game against Kansas City, what will this year hold? Will Josh Allen’s arm hold up? Can the Buffalo defense survive without Von Miller? The lack of a dominant, game-wrecking edge rusher could prove to be costly. The Bills have been a great regular season team, but issues along the offensive line is also something to be concerned about. At the end of the day, Allen is still there, giving them a chance to win every game they participate in. However, I’m hesitant to buy the Bills right now, especially with some of these major issues that can be highlighted by a team like the Bengals in the Divisional Round.
The Dolphins’ participation trophy
Congratulations to the Dolphins for getting to play football for one more week this season. The quarterback spot is as shaky as it’s been all season. Tyreek Hill is now nursing an injury. That’s without even mentioning how terrible they’ve been for over a month now, just snapping their losing streak in time to qualify for the postseason. Mike McDaniel’s first season in South Beach has been mostly a success all things considered, but this campaign is destined to end in Western New York on Sunday afternoon. The health of Tua Tagovailoa will make for one interesting offseason in Miami.
Patriots win big
The 2022 Patriots have essentially done the impossible. They won and America won all at the same time. No one wanted to see these Patriots in the playoffs, and now we won’t have to. For New England, they now secured a higher draft pick. Of course by the time April rolls around, Bill Belichick would’ve traded the pick 100 times, just in time to select some player no one has ever heard of. The most interesting thing to watch this offseason is how they handle the offensive coordinator situation. Maybe that person can determine whether or not it’s worth moving forward with Mac Jones. Until then, consider this a win for everyone involved.
Same. Old. Jets.
We spent most of the season trying to explain how the “Same Old Jets” were a thing of the past. Unfortunately for them, there are still plenty of “Same Old Jets” still around in Florham Park. A team that was once destined for postseason football at 7-4, managed to finish the season on a six game losing streak. Jets fans should feel not all hope is lost though. They might be, once again, in the basement of the AFC East, but there could be a quarterback solution coming down the road. With multiple veteran options, next season should come with a playoff mandate for everyone involved with the organization. There are still young building blocks on the team, which is easy to forget with so many injuries. For now though, it’s hard to be optimistic about the team that always seems to disappoint in the end.