AFC East Rushing Attack Arms Race

The AFC East appears to be gearing up their rushing attacks

The NFL is still a passing league, but sure does feel like the rushing attack is slowly crawling it’s way back up the hill of importance. Either way, there’s no doubt with all the moves over the last couple of years by the Bills, Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins that there is a running game arms race building in the AFC East. This means as the rushing attacks improve the run defense will grow as key elements to winning the division.

AFC East run game moves

Last season the New England Patriots went all in on the rushing attack basing the offense on their running backs rushing behind their talented offensive line. Now the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins have all followed suit to different degrees.

1. Bills: This season they signed two slightly old in the tooth, but very talented Titans offensive linemen David Quessenberry and Rodger Saffold. They also add former Dolphins running back Duke Johnson and drafted electric James Cook in the 3rd Round. Clearly with the departure of ‘fun-ball’ OC Brian Daboll they are headed to a balanced attack with a healthy does of rushing from someone not named Josh Allen.
2. Patriots: While Tom Brady keep the Patriots a passing team with the run game sprinkled in, now the Patriots are full tilt on running the football. They were 8th in the league in rushing last season behind Damien Harris and rookie 250lbs bruiser Rhamondre Stevenson. Even though they moved off Shaq Mason, they brought back mammoth tackle (6’8” 350lbs) Trent Brown and drafted guard Cole Strange with their top pick. Some see Strange going that early as a reach, but this was clearly a move to bolster the OL and rush attack. They also added blazing (4.37 forty yard dash) RB Pierre Strong Jr., RB and physical runner RB Kevin Harris in the draft.
3. Jets: New York had giant 6’7” 369lbs T Mekhi Becton, added talented run blocker Alijah Vera-Tucker and running back Michael Carter last draft, and then in this draft brought on rookie running back Breece Hall, the best blocking Tight End in the draft in Jeremy Ruckert, a good blocking tight end in Free Agency, CJ Uzomah along with excellent guard Laken Tomlinson.
4. Dolphins: Despite adding Tyrek Hill, head coach Mike McDaniel is all about the running game and will certainly use the rush attack as the foundation to the offense. Miami added star T Terron Armstead and talented guard Connor Williams to one of the worst Phins O-lines in recent memory. Their additions will be huge on many fronts, but none more impactful than getting the Phins rushing attack back on track.

AFC East is rife with sloppy weather conditions

Whether it’s cold and nasty Buffalo, New England or New York or windy and rainy Miami, you can bet with the best pay per head that critical games late in the season or in the postseason have a very good chance of being sloppy. The Bills learned the hard way from the Patriots in their Week 13 loss how bad weather can affect a pass happy offense. Also, a strong rushing attack will boost time of possession, which is critical to keeping a defense rested from game to game and over the course of this longer 17 game season. The Bills experienced more and more defensive lapses as the season progressed and their TOP diminished. They made a strong move towards offensive balance to compensate and make their 2021 6th ranked rushing attack more about the running backs than Josh Allen.

But, they aren’t the only ones, the Dolphins and Jets seem to have learned this lesson and adjusted accordingly. The good news for Phins fans is Miami has a strong edge over the Patriots and Jets in run defense. Miami ranked 14th in run defense last season, only one spot behind 13th ranked Buffalo. So, they are on par with the Bills. The Jets and Patriots though were an abysmal at 29th and 22nd, respectively.

Phins success has to be built on a good rushing attack

The downside is the Patriots, Bills, and Jets have what appears to be an edge in their offensive lines.

This is why the development of Michael Dieter, Liam Eichenberg, and Austin Jackson is so critical. If the Dolphins can get their O-line blocking a way for their competent rushing attack that ranked 30th in 2021 into respectability and pair it with Waddle and Hill and this run defense, they can put both the Jet and Pats firmly in their rear-view mirror. If they can do this, they’ll be ready to take on the giant task of unseating the 2021 AFC East champs Buffalo Bills in 2022! Go Phins!!!