Which AFC East QB Will Have the Better Season vs the Patriots in 2014?

One thing I've been wondering, as much as I'd like to downplay the QB play in the Division, this is a group that actually played relatively well against the Patriots last season, which has me wondering which one will cause the most problems for them this season.

Here's what I wrote from yesterday's Huddle entry:

"Every season winning the AFC East is always the first step in setting themselves up for success in the postseason, but the last couple of seasons that task has certainly gotten a little more difficult within the Division for the Patriots.

Last season what has traditionally been an easy win against the Bills was more difficult than expected. In fact, things actually came down to the wire in the opening week, requiring a last second 35-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski to allow New England to escape with a 23-21 victory.

Just four days later it didn’t get any easier, as the offense struggled against a tough Jets defense but managed to do enough to win that game 13-10. That night the weather and the fact the Patriots offense struggled themselves kept New York in the game, but New England made just enough plays to ultimately come away with the win.

However, when the two teams met again in week 7, it ended up being a different story. Quarterback Geno Smith played better in front of the home crowd and the Patriots found themselves on the wrong side of a 30-27 loss at the Meadowlands.

Against Miami the next week, the Patriots beat the Dolphins 27-17, but Miami got even in the rematch in week 15 after beating them 24-20 in a game that squandered the chance at the number one seed in the postseason for New England. Brady was beyond frustrated after the game, finishing off his brief press conference with an expletive before walking away.

Two weeks later to finish out the season, they beat the Bills by 14 points with a 34-20 win at home, ending the season with a 4-2 record overall in the division on the year.

That 4-2 record obviously looks good on paper, but we’re seeing a gradual improvement at the quarterback position across the division. With training camp just over a month away, here’s a closer look at how each of the quarterbacks from each team within the division stacked up last season as we start pondering what we may expect to see this year from each of them:

MIAMI DOLPHINS:

Ryan Tannehill:

Game 1: 22-of-42 (52%) for 192 yards 2 TD’s 2 INT’s
Game 2: 25-of-37 (68%) for 312yds 3TD’s 0 INT’s

Overall: 47-of-79 (59%) 504 yards, 5 TD’s, 2 INT’s

NOTES:

Tannehill’s best performance during the two meetings came in their second one on December 15th where he finished 25-of-37 for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Their first match-up didn’t go quite as smoothly, as the Patriots defense made him miserable after sacking him six times along with 10 recorded quarterback hits.

Overall Tannehill struggled throwing the football on first down, finishing 12-of-26 (46%) for 116 yards along with an interception. However, he was much better on second down where he completed 20-of-29 (69%) for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The more disturbing number was his success on third down, where he finished 14-of-22 (64%) passing for 176 yards and three touchdowns. With the Patriots improvement in the secondary, that should be an area that we’ll hopefully see some improvement the next time these two teams meet.

BUFFALO BILLS:

EJ Manuel:
Game 1: 18-of-27 150 yards, 2 TD’s

NOTES:

Manuel played reasonably well against the Patriots in week one, finishing 18-of-27 (67%) for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including 2-of-2 passing down in the red zone. Looking closer, a lot of his success in that game came on early downs, with the quarterback finishing 6-of-8 (75%) for 63 yards and a touchdown on first down, and 6-of-8 (75%) for 37 yards and a touchdown on second down. On third down he was just 6-of-11 (55%), including 1-of-4 down in the red zone.

A lot has changed since they last faced him considering that match-up took place all the way back in Week 1. Now the question for the Bills will be whether or not he can build on what he did the first time against them. It’s been a long time since Buffalo has reached the postseason, and having success against the Patriots is something they’ll need to be able to do in order to get there.

Tad Lewis:Game 2: 16-of-29 for 247 yards, 1 TD

Lewis’ overall numbers weren’t terrible, but one of the stats that sticks out is the fact New England held him to just 5-of-11 (45%) on first down last season, but from there he was 7-of-8 (88%) on second down including a touchdown, and like Manuel dropped off again on third down while completing 4-of-8 (50%) for 99 yards.

Looking closer, his quarter-by-quarter numbers are interesting:
1st QTR: 2-of-5 (40%) 49 yards
2nd QTR: 1-of-3 (33%) 13 yards
3rd QTR: 4-of-7 (57%) 81 yards 1 TD
4th QTR: 9-of-14 (64%) 104 yards

One would have to believe the Patriots won’t face Lewis again should Manuel stay healthy.
NY JETS:

Geno Smith:

Game 1: 15-of-35 (43%) 214 yards, 0 TD’s, 3 INT’s
Game 2: 17-of-33 (52%) 233 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Overall: 32-of-68 (47%) 447 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT’s

NOTES: Game one against the Patriots didn’t exactly go well for Smith, and had it not been for a sub par performance in the rain that night by the Patriots’ offense, it may have been worse for him. He struggled to complete passes that night, especially on third down where he completed just 4-of-12 (33%) attempts for 71 yards and two interceptions.

Game two was a different story, and Smith performed better. New England did a reasonably good job on early downs after holding him to 3-of-12 (25%) passing on second down for just 34-yards, which left the Jets facing 3rd-and-7 or more 11 times with four conversions.

But on third down overall in that game, Smith had a decent success throwing the football after finishing 10-of-15 (67%) passing with eight first downs including a touchdown. Overall he completed 14-of-27 (52%) on third down in 2013, and that will likely be an area they’ll want to focus on should Smith be on the field when the two teams meet again this season.

While the performances weren’t necessarily stellar for any of these players, they were good enough to at least be a concern in 2014 as competition in the AFC East appears to rising. Hopefully with some of the moves we’ve seen this offseason the Patriots will be ready for it."

- See more at: http://www.patsfans.com/ian/blog/20...0-spotlighting-qbs-division-easley-practices/

I voted for Tannehill. His OL should be much improved, and if our pass rush doesn't improve, then
he's going to carve us to pieces. That loss down there cost us a trip to the SB, because there was
no way that PayaTon was winning in Foxborough in January.
GeeNo & AJ have better chances beating us with their feet than with their arms, but I'm hoping that Jamie Collins & Mister Anderson are better at chasing them than the rhinoceros that is Hightower.

I think Tannehill is the best QB of the 3, but voted for Manuel because I think the Bills will be the most successful of those 3 teams.

I said Ryan Tannehill cause his the only QB that can throw out of that list but if mike vick is starting for the jets it will be him who has the best 2 games vs the pats

Tannehill is clearly improving, and I expect him to continue to do so in his 3rd upcoming year. But he's not the one I'm focused on. It's Michael Vick, who I assume will be starting for the Jests, not Geno. Despite reports about Vick underperforming in practice, I think he could give us problems during regular season.

Vick = Turnover Machine. Matt Simms & Tajh Boyd > GeeNo & the Dog Killer.

I said Tannehill as he seems to have the best experience and team.

My prediction for Geno Smith....Pain! and he'll fill in for Vick who will get injured (though Vick will be filling in for Geno -- will be injured first).

I'll vote Tannehill because he can mis-throw interceptions for touchdowns.

Tannehill is the best of the 3..so i say him

EJ Manuel seems to be the best of the rest for me.

I vote Smith. Better O-line than the other three. Better running back than the other three. In the same system for the 2nd year so the play book should come to him much easier. Like the TE they drafted even though from the Jets web page I watched he came in very much out of shape for OTA's.

Who the heck is this teenage OP and what does he know squat about football? JK. I went with EJ. The Bills haven't given us a hard time in forever and me thinks Watkins and the passing of Wilson and an underestimated talented roster could pose a significant problem this year. Don't sleep on the Bills.

The people of western NY want to keep that team right where it is. What better way would there be than challenging the Patriots dominance of the division. Buffalo worries me more than Mia or NJ. There due to step up and Wilson's passing could be just the impetus they need.

They WERE good last season. Tannehill has the most weapons and the most talent so I'll go w him but 3 words:

REVIS AND BROWNER.

All QBs are going to struggle

I think all three QB listed can play the position. However, I feel Ryan Tannehill is by far the best QB of the 3 listed in this poll. In addition, Miami's offense is improving all a round as a team which is alarming for other NFL teams. The Pats should be able to beat the Dolphins and easily win AFC east because Tom Brady is a way better QB than any of the 3 listed and the offense/defense is shaping up nice in NE. Thus, I see big things for the Patriots this year(fingers crossed).

I'll go with Vick. I believe he'll be the starter by the time the Pats face the Jetes and I think he can hurt them with his mobility. He'll be good for a few turnovers, though. I don't think Miami has done enough along the O-line or offensively in general. I don't know if Manuel is the real deal or he can even stay on the field. That's just my humble opinion.