2006 AFC East Preview

There’s a phrase the fans in New England use when talking about decisions made by the Pats’ esteemed coach—Bill Belichick. It’s “in Bill we trust.” And so too, apparently, do a number of owners in the NFL, including the moneymen of the Jets and Miami.

Nick Saban, a former Belichick associate, in entering his second-year as the Dolphins’ head coach, while Belichick protégé Eric Mangini has just taken the top sideline job for the Jets. Only the Buffalo Bills are Belichick-less, with Dick Jauron taking over for the deposed Mike Mularkey.

Miami looks poised to threaten New England’s half-decade of supremacy in the AFC East. Saban has done a good job on and off the field, greatly improving the Dolphins standing in the division.

It would take a miracle for either the Bills or the Jets to be a divisional power in 2006. The Bills have hired octogenarian Marv Levy as their new GM. A move that has many experts perplexed. Levy, a Hall of Fame coach, has been away from the game for a long time but his pedigree includes 4 straight Super Bowl appearances as the Bills’ head coach.

Both Buffalo and New York have quarterback questions and offensive line problems. On defense, neither team has been able to stop the rush lately. These rudimentary needs are sure to keep team executives and coaches occupied throughout 2006.

2006 AFC East Predictions

The Patriots are the chosen ones again this year, with the Dolphins becoming a worthy rival. Miami has closed the gap but 2006 AFC east division still belongs to the Pats.

Predicted order of finish, click on the team name for a more in-depth look at the professional football club.

1) New England Patriots
2) Miami Dolphins
3) New York Jets
4) Buffalo Bills

This season be sure to bookmark our Free Live NFL Odds Page containing up to the minute lines for all of the scheduled NFL games.