The AFC East has been ruled by the New England Patriots for the last eight seasons. Here is a look at each team’s schedule for the 2017 season.
For the last eight seasons, the New England Patriots have been the class of the AFC East, winning the last eight division titles. In 2016, the Patriots were by far the best team in the conference, although the Miami Dolphins came out of nowhere to win a wildcard spot. The division will play against the AFC West and NFC South, and also will take on teams from the AFC South and North based on finish.
The 2017 season is a long ways away, but lets take a look at the schedules for the four AFC East teams.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills had a disappointing year in 2016, as they let their head coach go after two mediocre seasons. Buffalo has a ton of question marks heading into the new year, including what to do with quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The search is on for the next head coach, and for Bills fans, they are just hoping to end their 17-year playoff drought. Buffalo will play host to their three divisional foes as well as the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and either Indianapolis or Tennessee.
Buffalo will hit the road to take on not only the three AFC East teams, but will also head out west for in 2017. The Bills will take on the San Diego Chargers on the road, though no-one knows if that game will be in San Diego, or Los Angeles. Buffalo will also face the Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Cincinnati Bengals. Looks like a pretty rough schedule for a team looking to make the postseason for the first time in a long time.
New York Jets
For as disappointing as the Bills season was, the Jets were an absolute embarrassment. After finishing one game out of the playoffs in 2015, the Jets laid an egg in 2016, as the dysfunction was seen on and off the field. Questions about who will play quarterback, if their head coach will be back, and if they are going to bring back veterans will all be on the table this offseason, as the organization may need a full turnover. In 2017, New York will play host to their three divisional foes and Kansas City, San Diego, Atlanta, Carolina and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Outside of MetLife Stadium, the Jets will battle it out against the teams in their division, as well as Denver, Oakland, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and the Cleveland Browns. Playing against the Browns and Jaguars could net wins, though the Jets do not figure to be any better than the team they were in 2016. It could be another long year for Jets fans, who have seen only one Super Bowl win in franchise history.
New England Patriots
After winning their eighth consecutive AFC East title in 2016, the New England Patriots show no signs of slowing down. Led by veteran Tom Brady, the Patriots won more games than any team in the AFC in 2016, and they did it despite being decimated with injuries throughout the season. In 2017, the Patriots will have a tough schedule, as they will have to take on two division winners as part of their non-division schedule. At home, the Pats will take on the three divisional foes as well as Kansas City, San Diego, Atlanta, Carolina, and AFC South champion Houston Texans.
The Pats will have to hit the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they won the AFC North this season. Also on the Pats road schedule are the three AFC East teams as well as Denver, Oakland, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay. Those are some pretty good teams, as Oakland is also a divisional winner. In total, the Pats will play all three fellow AFC division winners, as well as some of the best teams in the NFC.
Miami Dolphins
First-year head coach Adam Gase did an incredible job in his first year in South Beach, leading the Miami Dolphins to a wildcard berth. Gase should be up for NFL Coach of the Year, as the Dolphins were able to navigate a tough schedule to win nine of ten games in the second half of the season. In 2017, Miami will play host to their divisional foes, as well as Denver, Oakland, Tampa Bay, and either Tennessee or Indianapolis. Their biggest home game will come across the pond, as they will take on New Orleans in London, England.
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The road could be tough to navigate for Miami, as they have to play some tough teams outside of the AFC East. While New England, New York, and Buffalo are tough teams to play on the road, the Dolphins also have to take on Kansas City, travel west to play the Chargers, as well as taking on Atlanta and Carolina. In addition, Miami will have to play the Baltimore Ravens inside M&T Stadium, which can be a daunting task.
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