2020 NFL Win Total Plays - AFC East
The 2020 NFL season is still expected to start on time, which is September 10th. Let’s all hope that it plays out as expected. There could be fans in the stands but the NFL is currently considering the idea of having fans sign a COVID-19 waiver in order to get into the stadiums. That would prevent the Owners from getting sued should any fans get sick.
The NFL Schedule was released a couple of months ago and so I have been going over the Win Totals for each team, by division. Today I will tackle the AFC East and below you can find the other win total previews I have done so far.
All Win Totals & Odds Are Courtesy Of Betonline.ag
Buffalo Bills
Win Total - Over 9 (-115), Under 9 (-115)
The Buffalo Bills have been building their team up the last few years and this could be the year that they put it all together. Buffalo went 10-6 last year and they made it to the postseason where they lost to Houston by a score of 22-19 in OT. The Bills will look to make amends for that tough loss. The offense was a problem, but Josh Allen is gaining confidence and Buffalo got him a new toy to play with, in WR Stefon Diggs, who had 1130 yards receiving for the Vikings last year. The Runnin game is in very good hand with Devin Singeltary and this offense will clearly top the 19.6 ppg they put up last year. The defense was among the best in the league last year and it did nothing to hurt in the offseason. They grabbed DE A.J. Epenesa from Iowa with the 22nd pick in the draft and he will make this defense even better. This is a more complete team than they were a year ago, so now let’s look at the schedule. At home, the Bulls will face the Jets, LA Rams, Kansas City, New England, Seattle, LA Chargers, Pittsburgh, and Miami. That schedule screams at least a 6-2 home mark. The road slate consists of games at Miami, Las Vegas, Tennessee, the Jets, Cardinals, Niners, Broncos, and Patriots. I see at least four wins in those games. The Patriots are better now that they have Cam Newton, but I still see Buffalo winning this division with at least 10 wins. The improved offense is the difference between last year and this year. Prediction: Buffalo Over 9 (-115)
Miami Dolphins
Win Total - Over 6.5 (+105), Under 6.5 (-135)
The Miami Dolphins had a rough season last year as they finished with a 5-11 mark and in the Basement of the AFC East. Let’s take a look at how they stack up this year. Miami scored big in the draft by selecting Tua Tagovailoa with the 5th pick overall. He may not start right away, especially with the shortened preseason but we should see him at some point. The running game got a boost with the addition of Matt Brieda and they took a couple of offensive linemen in the first 39 picks of the draft. Devante Parker will leed a less than inspiring WR corps. Still, overall the offense is better than last year. The defense had all sorts of problems as they finished last in the league in points allowed a season ago. Miami did use five of their first nine draft picks on that side of the ball and they will be improved this year. Now, let’s take a peek at that schedule. At home, the Fish will be facing Buffalo, Seattle, LA Chargers, LA Rams, NY Jets, Cincinnati, Kansas City, and New England. It’s hard to see more than three wins from that slate. On the road, they have games at New England, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Denver, Arizona, the Jets, Las Vegas, and Buffalo. It’s hard to see more than two wins in those games. That adds up to no more than 5 wins from the Fish this year. Prediction: Miami Under 6.5 (-135)
New England Patriots
Win Total - Over 9 (-130), Under 9 (+110)
The New England Patriots won 12 games last year and they have now won at least 10 games in a season, 17 years in a row, but still, the win total has been set at nine. Yes, they just signed Cam Newton, but the Pats still don’t have a good wide receiver corps and they also don’t have Tom Brady. You can see why their win total is the lowest it has been in a very long time. The Battle between Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham will be an interesting one to watch, especially with a shortened preseason. Also, the Pats may look to run the ball more and the ground game is in solid hands with Sony Michel. Just like last year, it looks as if the Pats will have to win games with their defense and it was the best in the league last year. Still, the Pats did lose their two sack leaders in linebackers Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy. The defense could take a slight step back this year. The schedule is not kind to the Pats. they have home games against Miami, Las Vegas, Denver, San Francisco, Baltimore, Arizona, Buffalo, and the Jets. There are some potholes there and without a dominating home-field advantage, due to having fewer fans in the stands, I see about five wins against that slate. On the road, they have games against Seattle, Kansas City, Buffalo, the Jets, Houston, the Chargers, the Rams, and Miami. I see them going 4-4 at best in those games. I can’t see 10 wins or eight wins from the Pats, so I will say they will finish with nine exact. Prediction: New England 9 Wins (Push)
New York Jets
Win Total - Over 6.5 (-115), Under 6.5 (-115)
The New York Jets were a bit of a surprise last year as they finished with a 7-9 record. It may have been better, had Sam Darnold not missed a few games because of mono. Darnold is healthy to start the year but he is missing a big weapon in Robby Anderson, who is now in Carolina. Jamison Crowder led the team in receiving last year and he is back but the Jets are still very thin at that position. The ground game is in good hands with Le’Veon Bell and Frank Gore, plus they added Florida running back La'Mical Perine in the draft. This is not a spectacular offense overall, so the Jets will need to win with their defense. Last year, the defense was 7th in total yards allowed but they were 16th in points allowed. Still, this is a solid defense, especially with the return of LB CJ Mosely. The one weak spot will be the secondary, which does not have any top-flight talent. Now the schedule. The Jets have home games against San Francisco, Denver, Arizona, Buffalo, New England, Miami, Cleveland, and the Raiders. I am seeing three, maybe four wins at home. On the road, they have games against Buffalo, Indianapolis, LA Chargers, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, the Rams, and the Patriots. I see no more than two wins against that slate. The Jets are in for another long year. Prediction: New York Under 6.5 (-115).