Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Breaking down the league’s toughest divisions

By Peter Panacy

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 9
Next
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the huddle during the first half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the huddle during the first half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

A few years ago, the AFC East boasted at least two teams that could respectably challenge the New England Patriots for a divisional crown.

Well, make things interesting, at least.

That’s not the case in 2017. If it weren’t for the Pats, the AFC East would be the worst division in all of football. The New York Jets are doing everything in their power to tank for the upcoming season. And the Buffalo Bills’ offload of talent suggests they’re on the same trajectory.

It’s going to be a long year in New York and Buffalo.

The storyline with the Miami Dolphins is a bit more interesting. Head coach Adam Gase has his team on the right path. And it’s weird to think quarterback Jay Cutler might actually find some success under Gase’s tutelage.

Is any of that enough to challenge the Patriots? No. They’re still miles ahead of anyone else in the NFL.