2024 NFL Odds: Will the Buffalo Bills win a fifth straight AFC East crown?
It’s time to break some tables in Buffalo because the NFL futures board has the Bills as the favourites to win the AFC East for a fifth straight season in 2024. It’s predicted to be a tight race, however, with the Jets and Dolphins also sporting short odds to win the division, while the Patriots are heavy underdogs.
With NFL training camps about to kick off, let’s take a look at the AFC East division.
Buffalo Bills
After almost two decades of dominance by the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills have been kings of the AFC East for the last four seasons. Buffalo is once again the favourite to win the AFC East in 2024 despite the off-season losses of some key players, particularly Stefon Diggs.
Still, Buffalo boasts an elite offensive unit led by quarterback Josh Allen, who finished fourth in passing yards last season (4,302), fifth in passing touchdowns (29) and tied for second in rushing touchdowns (15). Running back James Cook is poised to take another step forward in his third NFL season, while the addition of Curtis Samuel and rookie Keon Coleman should help offset the loss of Diggs.
Buffalo Bills 2024 season best bet: Buffalo finally gets past Kansas City and wins the AFC.
New York Jets
The Jets’ sky-high hopes last season were dashed four snaps into the campaign when four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Rodgers is reportedly 100 per cent healthy and New York is banking on him staying that way after upgrading their offensive line with three new starters (Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, John Simpson).
The Jets will have a competition at wide receiver in training camp, which is always a positive. Garrett Wilson will be the top target and free agent addition Mike Williams is likely the No. 2 option, but it’s wide open after that, with Allen Lazard, rookie Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson all vying for reps.
New York Jets 2024 season best bet: Aaron Rodgers wins Comeback Player of the Year.
Miami Dolphins
Led by Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle, Miami has one of the most explosive offences in the NFL. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards (4,624) last season, Hill was first in receiving yards (1,799) and receiving TDs (13), Mostert had an NFL-best 18 rushing touchdowns and Waddle is only a year removed from leading the league in average yards per reception (18.1).
The defensive side of the ball is the main question mark for the Dolphins. The additions of Jordyn Brooks, Kendall Fuller and Jordan Poyer should help elevate Miami to a middle-of-the-pack defence, while the Dolphins’ elite offence will be what wins games.
Miami Dolphins 2024 season best bet: Tyreek Hill wins Offensive Player of the Year.
New England Patriots
With Jerod Mayo replacing Bill Belichick, it’s officially a new era in New England. The Patriots are very much a team in transition with either journeyman Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye poised to take over as QB1. The offence struggled heavily last year and Brissett has proven he’s not an elite quarterback, so Maye needs to burst on the scene and live up to the hype to give this team a shot to at least not embarrass themselves. That will be tough to do with almost no legit receiving threats to target.
To put it more bluntly, New England will be one of the worst teams in football next season. The offence is nowhere near where it needs to be to be competitive and the defence isn’t much better. You’re throwing your money away if you think the Patriots will even sniff the playoffs in 2024.
New England Patriots 2024 season best bet: Drake Maye to lead the league in interceptions.
