J-E-T-S in the E-A-S-T

Two blog posts in one day? Well, it is two-a-days season and my left ankle hasn't been operated on three times, so ...

Let's make some potentially embarrassing bold predictions about the AFC East.

First down:

The Jets will win their first AFC East title since 2002 and Rex Ryan will challenge for coach of the year. You have to love Rex. There's something refreshing about an NFL coach who doesn't act like every day is a trip to the dentist. ... The Jets won't miss Thomas Jones as much as we all think they will. They learned a few years back with Curtis Martin that ditching a running back a year early is probably better than ditching him a year late. Shonn Greene is a good back. L.T. will help if he realizes he's the backup, and not Greene. ... And finally, the Jets won't win the AFC despite being a trendy pick. (We all know trendy picks never come through anyway). This team very well could win the AFC this season, but I don't see QB Mark Sanchez being ready to make it that far in his second season.

Second down:

The Patriots will be a wild card team because their head coach and their quarterback will hold together a team that's a mere shell of the one that dominated the last decade. ... Randy Moss will play hard. Why? Cuz he's 33 and in a contract year. That's why. ... Torry Holt won't make an impact. Why? Think Joey Galloway. ... Laurence Maroney has 2 1/2 strikes against his Patriots career. This is a make-or-break year for the ex-Goph.

Third down:

The Dolphins will finish below .500 again despite all the talent they added in the offseason. Brandon Marshall is a big-time producer, but it's risky to tie your expectations to a guy lacking in character. Assuming Marshall does produce and the Dolphins remain one of the more physical teams in the league, there's a chance to make the playoffs. I think it comes down to Chad Henne at that point. Sorry, not a big believer in Henne and last year's 12-to-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Fourth down:

The Bills will continue their 0-for-the-millennium playoff drought. Wait. That's not bold enough. Even Ralph Wilson has to assume the Bills stink. Hmm. OK, how about the Bills start 0-9, create talk of matching the Lions' record 0-16 mark and then beat Detroit at home to go 1-9? That's kind of bold since it would require Buffalo losing to Jack Del Rio and the Los Angeles Jaguars at home in Week 5. Why no faith in Buffalo? Here's three reasons, for starters: Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm. New coach Chan Gailey is known for his ability to produce offensively. But apparently he's not known for his ability to convince a general manager to acquire a quarterback.