In a Division Full of Suspects, You Have To Trust a Criminal

The AFC East is one giant mess right now.

Last week, Ryan Tannehill was put on notice in the most passive way possible. Then on Sunday, Geno Smith was booed so much he apparently forgot news cameras exist. 

On Monday, EJ Manuel, yes, the once 2-0 EJ Manuel, was benched. And today, in the aftermath of Monday night's debacle, Bill Belichick made it very clear that his Patriots, well, they've moved on to Cincinnati.

Think about that for a second.

In seven days we've had three quarterback controversies, an FCC no-no, one benching, and one blowout on national TV.

All in one week!

Four teams. All 2-2. All with black eyes. All suspects.

Really. Who can you trust?

For years it was the Patriots. It was New England, and then everyone else. Tom Brady was elite, Bill Belichick was a genius, and "The Patriot way" was about as sacred and coveted as a spot in Playboy Mansion. 

Today they have the worst offense, with the worst receivers, and the worst line in all of football.

Tom Brady looks older than ever; Bill Belichick looks to have all but wrapped up a spot in the "worst GM's of all time" hall of fame; Rob Gronkowski appears to be a part time employee.

The once most dominant team in football may not even be the most dominant team in the division anymore. 

How about the Jets? Can you trust them with Geno Smith throwing around F-bombs like he does interceptions? Have you seen their schedule?

What about Buffalo, where 35 year old Kyle Orton has taken over at quarterback. Sound enticing? Scary? Intimidating?

Don't think so.

Here's my point:

The door is WIDE open, folks. Last year it started to budge, the Dolphins gave New England a mini run towards the end of the season. But today? Right now? This season?

It's so open that it damn well may come off the hinges.

If ever the Miami Dolphins were going to win the East, wouldn't it be now? With all the distractions up North, isn't NOW the time to bring the crown back South? 

That's not to say the Dolphins don't have their own baggage. Far from it, actually. Remember, they started all of this last week.

But what if the offense begins to click every week like they did against Oakland?

What if the defense continues to play at their current 7th ranked level?

What if Lamar Miller has really turned the corner?

Can you really look at this team, in this division, and not give them the upper hand right now? It's not going to take 12 wins. Maybe not even 10. 

But if I told you at the beginning of the year that nine wins would win the division, would you not give Miami a good chance?

Everybody has a black eye. From Miami to upstate New York, hands are bloody, egos have been bruised, and reputations have begun to scar. The entire division is one big police lineup right now.

For the idle Miami Dolphins, after seeing the events of the past few days unfold, the goal should now be simple, and clear:

In a division full of suspects, it's no longer about being the best team.

It's just about being the best criminal.