New England Patriots are unanimous pick to win AFC East
The New England Patriots are expected to run away with the AFC East once again according to Bleacher Report’s expert picks.
The New England Patriots have dominated their division for almost two decades. The Patriots have been kings of the AFC East, winning 15 of the last 17 division titles. No other team in the NFL is close to having that kind of consistency, and it is expected to continue in 2018.
Despite some big changes coming this season to New England, they are still the overwhelming favorites to win the AFC East.
New England lost some key players in free agency this offseason. Left tackle Nate Solder left in free agency, signing with the New York Giants with a record deal. The competition for the starting left tackle spot is a hotly contested one between first-round pick Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers during the draft.
Solder wasn’t the only starter to leave in free agency. Cornerback Malcolm Butler signed with the Tennessee Titans. Running back Dion Lewis also departed for Tennessee. Wide receiver Danny Amendola signed with the rival Miami Dolphins.
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Despite that, New England did a solid job replacing the players that departed. Cordarrelle Patterson and Jordan Matthews were brought in at wide receiver. Stephon Gilmore will take over as the unquestioned No. 1 cornerback and a draft pick was used on Duke Dawson.
New England has arguably their deepest, most talented group of running backs in the Bill Belichick era. The second of their first-round pick’s was used on running back Sony Michel. Rex Burkhead was re-signed, while Jeremy Hill was signed away from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite losing key cogs from last year, the Patriots did a great job replacing those players. Over at Bleacher Report, they believe the Patriots will run their streak up to 10 consecutive AFC East titles.
Bleacher Report predicted the winners of each division in the league. The Patriots were predicted to win the AFC East unanimously. Along with the Patriots in the AFC East, the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West were also unanimous picks.
Here is part of what they had to say about the Patriots being selected to win the AFC East.
"But as NFL Features Lead Writer Tyler Dunne pointed out, there’s still just too much Tom Terrific and not enough…well, everything else.“It’s the Patriots,” Dunne said. “The Bills and Jets are rebooting (again), and while the Dolphins welcome Ryan Tannehill back, head coach Adam Gase has jettisoned a lot of talent in trying to change the culture of his locker room. Not a bad idea, to be sure. But New England will coast to its 15th division title in 16 years.”No one is arguing with him."
Until Tom Brady is no longer under center, the Patriots should be the favorites in the AFC East. While the Patriots have been the epitome of consistency, the rest of the AFC East has put on a display of how not to build a team and roster.
As mentioned in the Bleacher Report piece, half of the AFC East is rebuilding right now. An argument could be made that the Dolphins are going to be doing that as well.
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With three teams not exactly looking to win now, the Patriots should cruise to another division title. Unless something catastrophic occurs, such as an injury, New England should be crowned AFC East champs once again in 2018.