AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

Last season: 8-8 (4th in AFC East)

Coach: Gregg Williams (first season)

Key losses: QB Doug Flutie, DE Marcellus Wiley, LB Sam Rogers (San Diego), DT Ted Washington (Chicago)

Key acquisitions: RB Larry Centers (Washington)

Offense: Now is the time for Rob Johnson to fulfill his potential as a bona fide NFL quarterback. With Doug Flutie no longer breathing down his neck, Johnson, 28, has the offense all to himself. Travis Henry, Shawn Bryson or Sammy Morris front the youthful running attack, with the rookie Henry looking as if he has won the starting nod. None will make Bills fans forget Thurman Thomas. Johnson has the weapons for a dangerous passing attack, as Eric Moulds is an All-Pro receiver and Peerless Price is said to be vastly improved on the other side. Larry Centers is a reliable safety valve, and Jay Riemersma remains a dependable pass-catching tight end. Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown and tackle John Fina are the only solid veterans on a line is inexperienced and has injury problems.

Defense: Four starters are gone from a defense that was third best in the NFL last season. Most affected by these departures will be the defensive line and linebacking units. With the Bills going to the 4-3, tackle Pat Williams and veteran end Phil Hansen are the only two linemen with any seasoning. Buffalo needs youngsters Erik Flowers and Aaron Schobel to step up and mature ahead of schedule. If middle linebacker Sam Cowart keeps playing at his current level, he may supplant Ray Lewis as the best middle linebacker in the NFL. Keith Newman and Jay Foreman are the outside linebackers. First round draft choice Nate Clements joins a defensive backfield full of talent and athleticism.

Special teams: Steve Christie remains one of the NFL’s most accurate placekickers. The rest of the special team units are a mess.

The skinny: New head coach Gregg Williams brings in 12 assistants and a bevy of players to Buffalo this season. Despite talent on both sides of the ball, there is simply too much youth and not enough depth. A 7-9 record would be quite an achievement.

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Indianapolis Colts

Last season: 10-6 (2nd in AFC East) A superb offense couldn’t make up for sub-par defense as Jim Mora lost another playoff game.

Coach: Jim Mora (26-24-0 with the Colts)

Key losses: LB Cornelius Bennett (released), CB Tyrone Poole (released).

Key acquisitions: DT Christian Peter (N.Y. Giants), DT Mike Wells (Chicago).

Offense: Peyton Manning has become everything the Colts could have ever hoped for when they drafted him first overall in 1998. He is smart, strong, tough and a team leader. Edgerrin James accounted for 2,303 yards from scrimmage last season, adding receiving skill to his running prowess. At wide receiver Marvin Harrison has put up Pro-Bowl numbers despite being constantly double-covered. The Colts hope that first-round draft choice Reggie Wayne can develop quickly as the other starter. Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard may be the best tight end duo in the NFL. Tackle Tarik Glenn leads a steady and underrated offensive line that has seven players who have been starters.

Defense: The Colts signed tackles Mike Wells and Christian Peter to shore up a line that got pushed around too much last season. They join Ellis Johnson who is vastly underrated in the middle. What the Colts really need are some talented defensive ends, as Chad Bratzke is the only starter of note. The linebacker corps long on athletic ability but short on experience. While Mike Peterson and Marcus Washington are getting better on the outside, but the Colts were dealt a major blow with the injury to middle backer Rob Morris. Chad Cota and Jeff Burris are savvy, intelligent players in the secondary.

Special teams: Mike Vanderjagt missed a potential game-winning field goal in the playoffs against Miami, but should remain one of the best kickers in the league. Kick returner Drew Hatted was impressive in the preseason.

The skinny: The Colts are obviously talented, but depth at certain key positions remains a potential problem. Should the injury bug stay away, they will challenge the Dolphins for the AFC East crown.

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Miami Dolphins

Last season: 11-5 (1st in AFC East).

Coach: Dave Wannstedt (11-5-0 with Miami).

Key losses: DE Trace Armstrong (Oakland), OT Richmond Webb (Cincinnati), G Kevin Donnalley (Carolina).

Key acquisitions: WR James McKnight (Dallas), QB Ray Lucas (N.Y. Jets).

Offense: The Dolphins are counting on Jay Fiedler to continue improve. While Fiedler will never be a passer in the Dan Marino mold, he does possess the smarts to make up for his lack of arm strength. Backup Ray Lucas is a running threat and Cade McNown looks to resurrect his career. With over 1,100 yards, Lamar Smith was a pleasant surprise for a team that had lacked a consistent running game for years. At wide receiver, Orande Gadsden has great hands and James McKnight is reliable. Rookie Chris Chambers will push them for playing time. The offensive line suffered a major blow when tackle Richmond Webb and guard Kevin Donnalley were lost to free agency.

Defense: The Dolphins return 10 starters to a defense that was one the league’s best in 2000. Defensive tackles Daryl Gardener and Tim Bowens are superb at playing the run and taking double teams. All-Pro Jason Taylor is at one end position while Kenny Mixon will try to replace the departed Trace Armstrong on the other side. Miami needs team leader Zach Thomas to be fully recovered from ankle problems, as a lack of depth is a severe at linebacker. Derrick Rogers is the only other linebacker of repute. Miami has the most revered secondary in the league, with both Sam Madison and Brock Marion being Pro Bowl selections. Brian Walker and Patrick Surtain are Pro Bowl caliber.

Special teams: Olindo Mare continues to be a deadly accurate field goal kicker. Punter Matt Turk must put his defense in better situations with more consistency than he did last season.

The skinny: The Dolphins have been a playoff team for three consecutive seasons, but that hasn’t led to a Super Bowl appearance. Pencil them in for another playoff visit with little success after that.

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New England Patriots

Last season: 5-11 (5th in AFC East).

Coach: Bill Belichick (5-11-0 with New England).

Key losses: DT Chad Eaton (Seattle), DT Henry Thomas (retired).

Key acquisitions: WR Charles Johnson, WR Torrance Small (Philadelphia), RB Antowain Smith (Buffalo), G Mike Compton (Detroit).

Offense: New England’s hopes rest upon the arm of Drew Bledsoe. In the prime of his career, Bledsoe deserves to be surrounded by talent. Instead he must survive on the table scraps of other NFL rosters. Kevin Faulk, J.R. Redmond and Antowain Smith bring various talents to the running back position but none is the complete back the Patriots have sorely missed since Robert Edwards suffered a career-ending knee injury after the 1999 season. With favorite target Terry Glenn suspended for the season, Bledsoe must depend on Troy Brown. Retreads Bert Emanuel, Charles Johnson, Torrance Small, David Patten fill out the other receiving spots. New England hasn’t had a pass catching tight end since Ben Coates’ departure. The Patriots tried to bulk up an awful offensive line by drafting Matt Light and Kenyatta Jones and signing Mike Compton, but count on Bledsoe spending a lot of time on the ground.

Defense: If you think the offensive line is bad, the defensive line might be even worse. Willie McGinest is the only lineman opposing offenses will worry about now that tackles Chad Eaton and Henry Thomas have departed. With Ted Johnson battling injuries and Andy Katzenmoyer out for the season with a ruptured disc, Belichick brought in old hands Bryan Cox and Roman Phifer at linebacker. Teddy Bruschi is the only linebacker still in his prime. New England has one half of a Pro Bowl secondary in Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law.

Special teams: Adam Vinatieri and Owen Pochman are competing for the kicking job. Punter Lee Johnson is on his last leg. Troy Brown is a capable kick returner.

The skinny: The suspension of star receiver Glenn, injuries to key players, and 21 free agents are likely going to add up to the worst record in the AFC.

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NEW York Jets

Last season: 9-7 (3rd in AFC East)

Coach: Herman Edwards (first season)

Key losses: LB Bryan Cox (New England) QB Ray Lucas (Miami).

Key acquisitions: WR Matthew Hachette (Minnesota), RB Chad Morton (New Orleans).

Offense: You couldn’t ask for a better mentor for young quarterback Chad Pennington than Vinnie Testaverde, who has experienced both highs and lows in his long career. Look for the rejuvenated Testaverde to have a rebound season in offensive coordinator Paul Hackett’s West Coast scheme. Expect another 1,000-yard season for workhorse back Curtis Martin. Fullback Richie Anderson led the team with 88 catches and went to his first Pro Bowl. There isn’t much name recognition among Jet wide receivers beyond Wayne Chrebet, though Laveranues Coles looks to be maturing into a good one. Rookie Santana Moss should be back from a knee injury by midseason. On the offensive line, tackles Jason Fabini and Ryan Young are great at keeping the immobile Testaverde upright while center Kevin Mawae is an All-Pro.

Defense: Look for second-year defensive end John Abraham to become a pass rushing terror. Abraham had four and a half sacks in six games before suffering to an injury last season. Losing nose tackle Jason Ferguson to a season-ending shoulder injury will hurt a run defense that is subpar at best. Steve Martin and Shaun Ellis are being counted on to fill the hole. The linebacking unit is in great hands with defensive leader Mo Lewis on the outside and Marvin Jones in the middle. Damien Robinson and Victor Green form a smash-mouth safety duo and corners Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman are ballhawks.

Special teams: Tom Tupa is great punter as well as a capable third-string quarterback. Inconsistent kicker John Hall will be on a short leash.

The skinny: After the dictatorial regimes of Bill Parcells and Al Groh, the Jets will operate in a looser environment under new head coach Herman Edwards. Still, the Jets and Edwards will be under pressure to make the playoffs.