I don't understand why some people think it's out of the question for the Patriots to miss the playoffs. Some people are acting like just because we've won 3 out of the last 5 super bowls we're invincible. That's not true. Sure, we have the greatest minds in the game, arguable the best quarterback in the game, and a still solid defense with Harrison coming back and our injuries subsiding, but if last year is any indication of how this team is going to perform this year, it's not out of the question. The Dolphins are back to being threats in the AL East, although at this point I will still take the Pats atop the East, with the Dolphins close behind, then the Jets and Bills. I'm just not sold on Culpepper yet. We all saw how he began the '05 season without Moss. He'll have Chambers, but Chambers isn't Moss by a long shot. He has a lot more to live up to before he can be seen as a big difference maker. Sure, he'll be MUCH better than Frerotte but he could also be a huge flop going from the NFC North to the AFC East.
Bottom line is, the AFC East will be a lot more competitive this year than during the Pats' domination years.