AFC East will be the toughest division of the 2023 NFL season

The AFC East was closely fought in the 2022 season, but the division will turn things up a notch in 2023 and be the toughest division in the entire league.

The Buffalo Bills secured a third-consecutive AFC East title in the 2022 campaign, posting a 13-3 record to beat out the Miami Dolphins (9-8), New England Patriots (8-9) and New York Jets (7-10) in regular season play, before overcoming the Dolphins in the wild card round of the playoffs.

Had the Jets not suffered through a six-game losing skid to end the campaign, there’s a chance they could have even battled the Dolphins and Patriots for a wild card spot, and the 2023 season could very well see all four teams fighting for the post-season.

AFC East Upgraded For 2023 NFL season

The NFL’s Instant Debate named some of the reigning divisional champions most vulnerable to losing their place atop the standings in 2023, with the Bills selected twice, by former players Emmanuel Sanders and David Carr.

While the Bills have not regressed, it is the rest of the AFC East that has taken strides to strengthen that has the division looking to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with no clear-cut favourite to win the division.

Last year’s runners-up, the Dolphins, have taken steps to improve this season in a big way. On defense, they landed top defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who will transform a unit that struggled at times in 2022, while also making a big splash to grab star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

With a new-look defense, which already has Xavien Howard, Jevon Holland and Jaelen Phillips in the mix, along with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, a slightly altered offensive line, and a running back group including Raheem Mostert and new weapon Devon Achane, the Dolphins hope to maintain their progress towards being a playoff regular.

The New England Patriots performed better than some expected last season, despite posting a losing record. This year, there were questions over Mac Jones’ future as the team’s starting QB, but it looks as if Bill Belichick has reaffirmed his commitment to him and should have the team competing closely once again this year.

Free agent signings Juju Smith-Schuster, Mike Gesicki and Riley Reiff should have the offense in a much healthier position, giving Jones some weapons in the passing game while also strengthening his protection along the line.

These additions allowed the Patriots to focus on bolstering the defense with their early draft picks, with Christian Gonzalez (CB, Oregon), Keion White (DE, Georgia Tech) and Marte Mapu (LB, Sacramento State) all taken in the first three rounds.

Then there’s the New York Jets, who made a big splash in free agency to strengthen their offensive game. Of course, there’s Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to give them a much-need jolt in the passing game, but along with him came receivers Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman, as well as running back James Robinson.

The Jets could have been much more in 2022, save for their poor end-of-season stretch, but with these additions to the roster, it will make for some tough matchups and battles throughout the season.

It’s likely that divisional games will truly shape the makeup of the AFC East in 2023, with any team gaining the upper hand in those tilts likely to edge out ahead in the race for the title.

This will be doubly important as the Bills, Dolphins, and Patriots rank in the top-five hardest schedules overall in the league, while the Jets sit at seventh.

2023 will be an interesting NFL season, but with how teams have shaped up this off-season, the AFC East will be the division to watch.