Buffalo Bills have better roster, but Cam Newton changes AFC East
The Buffalo Bills were the favorites in most minds a week ago in the AFC East. Things have shifted.
The New England Patriots signed quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal on Sunday night. With that, they officially declared game-on with the Bills. Buffalo appeared to finally be in the proverbial driver’s seat after watching Tom Brady and Bill Belichick dominate the division for 20 years.
Now, there’s a chance the Buffalo Bills will be playing second-fiddle once again.
Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?
Still, this is where reality needs to be introduced. Newton hasn’t been healthy in two seasons, dealign with a pair of shoulder surgeries and a foot injury which cost him the preseason and final 14 games of the 2019 regular season. When he did play in the early going, he wasn’t the man we saw win the 2015 NFL MVP with the Carolina Panthers.
Does any of this suggest Newton is washed up? Not necessarily. Newton is only 31 years old and is basically coming off a year away from the game. He should be well-rested and in good shape. There’s also no reason to believe Newton isn’t a major upgrade over second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who was projected to be New England’s starter only four days ago.
Read: LeBron James Gives You The Edge In The Bubble – Draymond Green
Yet Buffalo has the better roster, even if Newton is healthy. The Bills have a phenomenal defense anchored by a litany of young studs including defensive tackle Ed Oliver, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, and cornerback Tre’Davious White. There are other significant talents as well such as defensive ends Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes, and safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.
Buffalo also has far better weapons than the Patriots. Bills general manager Brandon Beane was aggressive this offseason, He added wide receiver Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. Diggs will pair with John Brown to form a nice perimeter tandem, with Cole Beasley working the slot. Buffalo also has a pair of second-year youngsters in tight end Dawson Knox and running back Devin Singletary.
New England has slot receiver Julian Edelman and pass-catching running back James White but little else in terms of known quantities.
The biggest takeaway from Newton signing in New England is the competition for first place it potentially creates. If the former MVP is healthy, the Patriots go from afterthought to contender. Buffalo now has to earn its first division title since 1995, going through an old bully with a new star.
