New York Jets: 2009 (9-7) The much ballyhooed Jets coming into the 2010 season led by coach Rex Ryan and second year QB Mark Sanchez. After ranking first in the NFL in points allowed last year and first in Football outsiders DVOA the defense remains the crux of the team. Top corner back Darrel Revis had finally shown up and the addition of Antonio Cromartiethe secondary is a force. The superb front seven returns in tact with the addition of vet Jason Taylor. All told the Rex Ryan should guide the defense to the top of the league again. But will the offense step it up. Sanchez performed well in the post season but has a lot of holes in his game. Last years 53.4 completion percentage and 30 turnovers need major improvement. Even still the Jets will have to be a run first team again. Gone from the running game is work horse Thomas Jones who logged 331 carries for 1402 yard and 14 TDs That leaves the bulk to Shonn Greene, another second year player. Greene played well in a limited roll last year but the question of whether he can carry load remains and if the addition of the fading Ladanian Tomlinson will help. Despite the hype this team has far to many question to be counted on for a big year. Considering the Jets only managed a 7-7 record before the Bengals and Colts laid down the last two weeks counting on improvement over last years record his hard to swallow. Diamond Sports has the over/under listed at 9.5, taking the under a -115 or getting under at 9.5 at +110 at the SBR book are the bets to make.
New England Patriots: 2009 (10-6) Bill Belichick and Tom Brady return to seek their tenth consecutive division title in 2010. As always the Passing game will be the engine of the team. Brady posted a 65.7 completion percentage, 28 TD, 4398 yards and a 96.2 QB rating all good for the second best mark in in career. Another year removed from the knee injury that cost him the 2008 season and entering a contract year Brady maybe poised to have an MVP style year. Wes Welker returns from his own knee injury to and with and aging, but still dangerous, Randy Moss, last years breakout reciever Julian Edleman, veteran Torry Holt and rookies Taylor Price and Rob Gronkowski Brady will certainly not lack options. The running game will be pieced together by veterans Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, and Kevin Faulk and look to only be average, but that's all they need in Belichick's passing attack. The defense will once again enter the season as the seeming Achilles heel, but the bell has been rung before. Vince Willfork and Jerrod Mayo are both front seven standout and the the secondary needs to be just good enough once again. Last year the managed to rank 5th in points allowed and 11th in yards and even Football Outsiders had them 16th in DVOA. There's no real reason to think that the defensive unit won't piece together another average season, and with the fire power available on offense that more than good enough. Diamond Sports has the over under pegged at 9.5 and getting the over at even money is the way to go. As the Patriots are once again the class of the AFC east.
New England Patriots: 2009 (10-6) Bill Belichick and Tom Brady return to seek their tenth consecutive division title in 2010. As always the Passing game will be the engine of the team. Brady posted a 65.7 completion percentage, 28 TD, 4398 yards and a 96.2 QB rating all good for the second best mark in in career. Another year removed from the knee injury that cost him the 2008 season and entering a contract year Brady maybe poised to have an MVP style year. Wes Welker returns from his own knee injury to and with and aging, but still dangerous, Randy Moss, last years breakout reciever Julian Edleman, veteran Torry Holt and rookies Taylor Price and Rob Gronkowski Brady will certainly not lack options. The running game will be pieced together by veterans Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, and Kevin Faulk and look to only be average, but that's all they need in Belichick's passing attack. The defense will once again enter the season as the seeming Achilles heel, but the bell has been rung before. Vince Willfork and Jerrod Mayo are both front seven standout and the the secondary needs to be just good enough once again. Last year the managed to rank 5th in points allowed and 11th in yards and even Football Outsiders had them 16th in DVOA. There's no real reason to think that the defensive unit won't piece together another average season, and with the fire power available on offense that more than good enough. Diamond Sports has the over under pegged at 9.5 and getting the over at even money is the way to go. As the Patriots are once again the class of the AFC east.