For the first time in a long time, the AFC East actually looks like it could be competitive.
Tom Brady has moved onto the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which means the New England Patriots have some questions at quarterback. Each team has a different talent level, but another thing that will have an impact on who will win the division is the NFL schedule.
Let's rank the AFC East schedules to see who has the most difficult path.
4. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets have an interesting tidbit with their schedule. The Jets and Dolphins play in Week 10, have a bye in Week 11, and play again in Week 12.
The Dolphins have a tough schedule, but they get to play the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Los Angeles Dolphins at home. It might still be a tough year for the Dolphins but they have the easiest schedule in the AFC East.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets don't have to play the Baltimore Ravens, which puts them in this spot, but this is still a hard schedule.
The Jets play the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs in seven straight weeks.
That is a brutal stretch, it's one that almost moves them up into the second spot.
Article Continues Below2. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots lost Brady, but that doesn't mean they got any gifts from the schedule makers.
After opening the season against the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots go on the road to play the Seattle Seahawks, host the Las Vegas Raiders, go on the road to the play the Kansas City Chiefs, and back at home to play the Denver Broncos. Late in the season, they go on the road to play the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, and Miami Dolphins.
If they are still in contention for the AFC East crown, those games will be a big test.
1. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills got a couple of gifts with their schedule. The schedule is still tough, but they play some of the toughest games on their home field.
The Chiefs and Ravens are both on their schedule, but Buffalo gets to play both of them at home. They also get the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at home. Avoiding Arrowhead Stadium, Century Link Field, and Heinz field is quite the gift. They also don't really have back to back games against “elite” teams, and that's not something that everyone can say.
The Bills looks to be the favorites to win the AFC East, and the schedule makers gave them some gifts to get it done.