2013 AFC East: The Good, The Bad & The UGLY

With the New England Patriots season starting in just under 2 weeks, it's a good time to preview the competition in the AFC East.

Here are the teams the Pats will need to go through to claim a fifth straight AFC East title:

THE GOOD: Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

OLD FRIENDS: Ryan Tannehill, Brian Hartline, Cameron Wake

NEW FACES: Mike Wallace, Dustin Keller

KEY LOSSES: Jake Long, Sean Smith

RISING: Lamar Miller

3 QUESTIONS:

• Can Ryan Tannehill improve enough to lead the Dolphins to their first playoff appearance in 5 years? Can he get them their first win playoff win since December 2000?
• Is Mike Wallace the playmaking deep threat that he was signed to be? 
• With the loss of Dustin Keller (to a gruesome knee injury), who else will step up as a solid receiving target for Tannehill?

THE BAD: Buffalo Bills

Bills QB EJ Manuel

OLD FRIENDS: Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson, Mario Williams

NEW FACES: E.J. Manuel, Kevin Kolb, Matt Leinart, Robert Woods

KEY LOSSES: Ryan Fitzpatrick

RISING: C.J. Spiller

3 QUESTIONS:

• With Kevin Kolb's concussions and E.J. Manuel's balky knee, is Matt Leinart now the favorite to start Week 1? 
• UPDATE: Nope, it will be UDFA rookie Jeff Tuel. (WHO?)
• Can gifted C.J. Spiller make the leap to elite RB status and put the Bills' offense on his back?
• Is Syracuse grad & former coach Doug Marrone cut out to be a successful NFL head coach or is he there because he's a Cuse guy?

THE UGLY: New York Jets

Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez

OLD FRIENDS: Mark Sanchez, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Nick Mangold

NEW FACES: Geno Smith

KEY LOSSES: Darrelle Revis

RISING: Bilal Powell

3 QUESTIONS: 

• Whether it's Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith at QB, do they stand a chance with either guy under center?
• How do they make up for the loss of shutdown corner and defensive stalwart Darrelle Revis?
• If Jets get off to a slow start, does Rex Ryan make it to the end of the season?