2024 NFL Season: AFC East Preview and Odds
Buffalo, New York, Miami All In The Mix
There’s a real chance that the 2024 NFL season will see the AFC East produce three playoff teams, excluding the Patriots. The Buffalo Bills, who have won the division four times in a row, the Dolphins, and the Jets are expected to be highly competitive. The 2024 AFC East preview must also include the Patriots, who are widely predicted to finish last.
The Dolphins finished the 2023 season with an identical 11-6 record to the Bills, but both were eliminated by the Chiefs. The Chiefs, who routinely crush other AFC teams’ dreams, ended both teams’ playoff runs.
Miami will return its offensive core, while New York, which won seven games last year despite losing Aaron Rodgers early, has one of the NFL’s best defenses. They also boast a young duo with Garrett Wilson at wide receiver and Breece Hall at running back.
With Rodgers healthy the NFL odds this week like the Jets.
With the preseason just getting started, now is a good time to review the division odds as the regular season is a month or so away.
Buffalo Bills: Division Favorites Despite Diggs Trade, Allen’s Turnover Woes
Things look to be pretty tight in the AFC East which has the chance to be a true three-team race for the first time in awhile. In terms of quarterback play, there may not be a better division in the NFL right now when every team is at full strength.
Buffalo Bills
- 10.5 o/u (over +130/under -120); +170 division
Any 2024 AFC East preview needs to mention just how flat the odds are across the division. The Bills, despite trading star receiver Stefon Diggs to Houston, remain favorites to win the division by a small margin over the Jets and Dolphins.
Expectations are tight in the AFC East. The Bills added Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins to offset the losses of Diggs and Gabe Davis, but replacing a top pass-catcher is difficult.
Buffalo boasts one of the NFL’s best defenses, anchored by Matt Milano and Ed Oliver, but their success depends on Josh Allen’s performance.
Allen was solid in 2023, finishing fifth in MVP voting. However, his 18 interceptions and six lost fumbles are major issues he needs to address. Despite his ability to rack up yards and scores, turnovers in crucial moments negate his efforts.
New York Jets
- 9.5 o/u (over -160/under +130); +180 division
For the Jets, the NFL preseason stats may matter less than any other NFL team. What’s important for Gang Green is that Aaron Rodgers stays healthy and makes it past the first regular-season series. Additionally, the Haason Reddick contract situation needs to be resolved soon. Last year, New York went 7-10 without Rodgers, and their success hinges on getting his top-tier performance.
The Jets already have one of the league’s best defenses, and they traded for elite pass-rusher Reddick to strengthen their front seven. However, contract negotiations have turned ugly, and he hasn’t reported to training camp or preseason practices. With Reddick, the defense could be unstoppable; without him, it’s still very good.
At +180, the Jets are a tough call. Talent-wise, they may be the division’s best team, but significant question marks threaten their true potential.
Miami Dolphins
- 9.5 o/u (over -125/under -105); +200 division
The Dolphins are the third team in this 2024 AFC East preview to have +200 odds or better to win the division which really underscores how bunched up the top of the AFC East is supposed to be.
Miami is a strong team despite having the third-best odds to win the division after an ugly playoff loss to the Chiefs. Tua Tagovailoa has been extended, and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are arguably the NFL’s most dynamic wideout duo. Odell Beckham Jr. now joins them, and defensive pickups have strengthened a somewhat shaky unit.
The biggest question for Miami is whether Tagovailoa can stay healthy for another full season like he did in 2023. It was the first year he played more than 13 games. He led the NFL in passing yards and can repeat that with such an explosive group around him. However, his first NFL playoff experience was rough, and only a strong return can change that perception.
It’s not easy, though, because the Bills are still very good, and the Jets should be much improved. At +200, Miami’s odds might be a bit low to offer good value, even though it’s reasonable to expect the Dolphins to win 10 or more games.
New England Patriots
- 4.5 o/u (over -160/under +130); +2500 division
Ah, the Patriots. How the mighty have fallen. With NFL games this week, even in the preseason, it’s unclear whether New England will start Brissett, Maye, or Milton at quarterback. New coach Jerod Mayo needs to decide soon if the Patriots are to improve their terrible 2023 offensive performance.
They had the second-worst scoring offense, averaging fewer than 14 points per game, leading to a 4-13 record in Belichick’s final season. They’ve added offensive talent through the draft but failed to land a true No. 1 wideout like Brandon Aiyuk.
In such a tough division, the Patriots are likely to finish last. The defense is solid, but the offense needs significant improvement, and the rebuild might take longer than fans hope.
