Bold Predictions for the 2013 NFL Season

Dec 16, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby Patch (@Patchz22): “Miami will win the AFC East.”

This prediction is coming from a Jets fan, so there is no Dolphins-bias here. Bobby doesn’t think the Patriots can stay healthy during the season and the potential loss of Gronkowski for a period of time along with the loss of Hernandez will be too much to overcome. While I don’t agree with Bobby, he does have a good point about the Patriots’ health concerns. Everyone knows about Gronk’s medical problems, but Danny Ammendola has yet to play a full season due to injuries, and Julian Edelman (Brady’s lone familiar WR) has been hampered by injuries as well. Last year, the Patriots lost Talib, Jones, Dennard, Dowling, Jones, and Gregory at some point during the season. Although Dowling has turned heads during OTAs and has a lot of potential, he spends more time on IR than he does on the field and has been a complete non-factor since the Patriots drafted him. If all goes wrong this year and Brady’s targets are injured for an extended period of time and the defense suffers multiple big-name injuries, Bobby could be correct in New England falling far enough to allow Miami (easily the next best contender in the AFC East) to take the crown. As a Patriots fan, though, I’m not worried as long as Brady is healthy.