5 reasons the Bills will win the AFC East

3. The Patriots are vulnerable

Critics of the Bills love to take shots at Josh Allen’s play at quarterback. It would be interesting to know how many of those people would take Jarrett Stidham instead in 2020? The questions about Stidham’s ability to lead the Patriots offense make New England ripe for the taking.

The Patriots would be pleased if Stidham plays like a league-average starter. That still wouldn’t give the team anywhere near the production that Tom Brady gave them a season ago. New England’s offense will clearly suffer due to its downgrade at the quarterback position.

There should also be a real concern in Foxborough as to whether or not the Patriots’ defense can be elite again in 2020. The group still doesn’t have a pass rusher on the roster that’s going to strike fear in the hearts of opposing offensive coordinators. Bill Belichick can scheme pressure, but at some point, the lack of premium edge-rushing talent is going to come back to bite New England.

Expecting the Patriots to fall off a cliff this season is a risky proposition. Expecting them to take a significant step back in the division without the services of Tom Brady is not. New England’s likely regression is a big reason why the Bills can win the AFC East.