Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Breaking down each division heading into 2018

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands at the line of scrimmage before taking a snap against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands at the line of scrimmage before taking a snap against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

The New England Patriots are going to win the AFC East until proven otherwise. And even though quarterback Tom Brady will turn 41 years old before the regular season begins, why should we expect anything else?

Head coach Bill Belichick’s ability to turn over the roster, successfully, year after year should continue again into 2018.

And it helps the rest of the division is either stagnant or trending in the wrong direction.

The Miami Dolphins jettisoned away talent this offseason, and they’ll likely bring up the rear of the AFC East. And while the New York Jets appear to have found their quarterback of the future, USC’s Sam Darnold, they’re at least a few years away from legitimately contending.

Perhaps the only threat to the Pats’ dominance in the division is the Buffalo Bills, who also grabbed a quarterback in this year’s draft. Wyoming’s Josh Allen might not be a day-one starter, and we’ll see if his accuracy woes carry over into the NFL. But Buffalo’s defense is still good, and head coach Sean McDermott will need that to be his feature this season.

The Patriots are the lone reason the AFC East ranks this high in our divisional NFL power rankings. If New England was without Brady or Belichick, this would be the No. 8 ranked division heading into 2018.