Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

AFC East Q&A: Will rivals exploit Patriots' cornerbacks?

Today's question: How might opponents be able to capitalize on the New England Patriots' uncertainty at cornerback?

Mike Rodak, Buffalo Bills: Even with EJ Manuel and Kyle Orton at the helm the past two seasons, the Bills have already been above average passing against the Patriots' defense, posting a 59.4 QBR in four games. Part of that -- especially in 2013, when the Bills' running game was stronger -- might have been a focus on Bill Belichick's part to stop the Bills' backfield and make Manuel or Orton beat his defense, which they couldn't do until Week 17 of this past season. This year, I could see Belichick putting a heavier focus on Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay, not allowing his weaker cornerback group to be beaten by the Bills' playmakers. The Bills' best strategy could be to let Belichick set up his defense to protect his cornerbacks and then use LeSean McCoy to put stress on the front seven.

James Walker, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have to be one of the league's happiest teams that Darrelle Revis is out of New England. The future Hall of Famer has spent his career terrorizing the Dolphins, no matter what jersey he's wearing. Miami still must see him twice this season with the Jets, but at least that team is rebuilding, which makes things more manageable. I like what the Dolphins did at wide receiver this offseason. They added size, quickness and athleticism with first-round pick DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and veteran Greg Jennings. Former Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace is a speedy deep threat who simply did not mesh with Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Brian Hartline also didn't mesh with Miami's offense under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The new group of receivers in Miami has the potential to give New England's secondary problems.

Rich Cimini, New York Jets: If I didn't know better, I'd think John Idzik was making the personnel decisions for the Patriots at cornerback. Belichick has made a mess of the position, as if trying to prove he can win without quality cornerbacks. News flash: The Jets tried it last season and it didn't work. I don't know if the Jets will be able to exploit the Patriots' new weakness, but I believe they will be in a better position to succeed than in recent years. New coordinator Chan Gailey likes to run a spread attack, which will test the Patriots' depth by forcing them to put more cornerbacks on the field. In his previous coaching job, Gailey's Bills offense used more four-receiver packages than any team in the league from 2010-12. The Jets have their best receiving corps since 2010, adding Brandon Marshall and rookie Devin Smith. As always, it will come down to quarterback play. That's the wild card.

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