Musket Fire
FanSided

New England Patriots remain supreme in AFC East power rankings

By Marcus Stanois

Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) carries the ball past Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) carries the ball past Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. The Dolphins beat the Bills 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. The Dolphins beat the Bills 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Buffalo Bills

2016 Record: 7-9, 3rd in the AFC East

The Buffalo Bills underwent a change of regime following the 2016 season. After two years of Rex Ryan, the team named former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott head coach. The Panthers’ defense ranked top ten in takeaways for four consecutive seasons under McDermott, from 2013 to 2016. The Bills also hired former Denver offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. In 2015, his Super Bowl winning offense ranked third in the league in yardage differential.

Buffalo finished last season with one win and five losses against their division. Their only victory coming versus New England in Week 4. Of the Bills’ five losses, three were within a touchdown from winning.

In free agency, former starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore left Buffalo for the division rival Patriots. With their first pick in the 2017 draft, the Bills’ addressed the corner position, choosing LSU’s Tre’Davious White. The team also added to their offense with second-round selection, wide receiver Zay Jones, and quarterback Nathan Peterman. Following the draft, Peterman’s football intelligence earned comparisons to Pats quarterback Tom Brady from ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

Despite the Bills’ lackluster record, they housed the league’s top rushing attack in 2016, leading in yards, touchdowns, and yards per attempt. On the contrary, the team’s offense ranked third in turnovers lost. Tyrod Taylor only threw six interceptions last season, although he had four fumbles on top of that. If the Bills’ can reduce their costly giveaways, they’ll have a much better chance at winning games. Buffalo opens their season at home versus the Jets, a game they should win.

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