There is a saying, “there is no ‘I’ in team.” This may be the case but there are certainly players whose impact looms a bit larger than the rest and could ultimately make or break their team’s season. Each week we’ll reveal “make or breaks” for two divisions. This week we start with the AFC East and AFC North.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Tyrod Taylor, QB
The 2015 season was Taylor’s coming out party, now 2016 will be his time to prove that it was no fluke. Seen by many as a game manager with limited play making ability, Taylor will have to remove that label and show he truly can lead a team to the promised land. This team will only go as far as Taylor is able to carry them; his continued progression must be top priority for the Bills.
Miami Dolphins: Byron Maxwell, CB
After being shipped off to Miami following an uneventful season with the Eagles, if Maxwell can be that shutdown corner he was with the Seahawks, then the Dolphins defense can be scary. A duo of Suh and Maxwell both playing to their potential can give opposing offenses nightmares. This comes down to Maxwell being present, as he has shown plenty of Jekyll and Hyde play in past seasons.
New England Patriots: Jonathan Cooper, OL
One of the newest Patriots, Jonathan Cooper came over in a trade from Arizona. Brought over to help assure the offensive line in front of Brady, Coopers’ play is of even more importance. If Cooper can’t shore up the line then this deal not only hurts the Patriots on the offensive side of the ball but defensively as well, as they lose one of their top playmakers in Chandler Jones.
New York Jets: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
Not even technically signed, as he is still a free agent Fitzpatrick has already put the Jets in a bad situation before the season has even begun. If he does return, the trust instilled in him by his teammates would have greatly diminished. Ultimately if he decides to depart leaving the team in the hands of Geno Smith is almost as disastrous.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: Terrell Suggs, OLB
Injuries plagued no team in 2015 worse than the Baltimore Ravens. Although Terrell’s play has slipped in recent seasons he remains the heart and soul of this defense. His impact goes far beyond his play on the field. Having their leader back in the huddle changes the way this team as a whole approaches every down.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert, TE
Following an off-season that saw the Bengals lose their number two and three receivers Marvin Jones and Mohammad Sanu, Cincinnati looks to rely heavily on their proven talent. The league has an eye out for A.J. Green, which is why Eifert needs a solid number two to help avoid the double teams. If Eifert can replicate his 2015 season and tally another 11 touchdowns then this offense won’t miss a beat. That’s a big “if”. If Eifert begins to falter, Green might be facing constant double teams all season long.
Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB
Robert Griffin III can make or break the Browns season for multiple reasons. The biggest impact would be if RGIII ends up having no impact at all. If he were to lose the quarterback competition to Josh McCown it would ultimately leave the Browns in a purgatory of mediocrity. RGIII holds the most upside for this team and ultimately can provide much more than anyone else on the roster at the position. If he were to lose the battle then he could break the season before it even began.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell, RB
As dangerous as the Steelers were last season they will only become harder to defend with the healthy return of Leveon Bell. Perhaps a top two running back in the league, Bell gives this team a dynamic in the run game it is otherwise missing. Deangelo Williams did a very good job in Bell’s absence but ultimately he is no Bell. Without Bell defenses are able to focus on Big Ben and the passing game as the offensive dynamic is changed drastically.
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