As owners invest more money into star skill position players, teams are more reluctant to put those players on the field during the preseason. The Jests were but one of the exceptions to this new unwritten rule.
In the offseason, the Jests effectively swapped quarterbacks with Pittsburgh, with past-his-prime Aaron Rodgers and his pathetic conspiracy theories being sent off to the Steelers, while Justin Fields, who apparently peaked too soon in Chicago, and lasted just a year in Pittsburgh, comes east. The Jests also welcomed back kicker Nick Folk, who spent the last few years in New England. The Jests went 1-2 in the preseason, losing to the Giants & Eagles, a harbinger of things to come.
Over in Buffalo, defensive lineman Von Miller is gone, replaced by Joey Bosa (LA Chargers). The Bills rested Josh Allen, who otherwise was spending the summer doing commercials (i.e. Snickers).
Otherwise, Buffalo stood pat. Which might not be a good thing, after all.
After former star linebacker Jerod Mayo crashed & burned, New England turned to Mike Vrabel to bring the Patriots back to the promised land. Everything seemed to be going well in the preseason until a 2nd half meltdown vs. the Giants. The Pats signed Joshua Dobbs (San Francisco) to back up Drake Maye, and ex-Bill Stefon Diggs (Houston) to give Maye & Dobbs an impact receiver to throw to. Harold Landry, who played for Vrabel in Tennessee, joins the Patriot defense to give them some help.
Miami drafted Quinn Ewers (Texas) to back up Tua Tagovailoa, and Zach Wilson comes over from Denver for depth. The Dolphins still have one of the best receiving duos in the league in Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle, and lured Darren Waller out of retirement after he spent a year with the Giants in 2023.
It just isn't going to be enough.
Projected order of finish:
1. Buffalo.
2. New England.
3. Miami.
3 (tie). Jests.
Of course, I could be wrong.
Part 3 focuses on the North, coming Friday.
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