The NFL Season is set to get underway Sept. 12, and we will begin the season preview by taking a look at the AFC East, which features two teams that could end up in the Super Bowl in late January.

New York Jets

Considered by most as the surprise team of the AFC a year ago, the Jets will look to take their season a step farther than last year, when it ended in the AFC Championship to the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

The Jets will be led by Vinny Testeverde, who was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL a season ago. However, the Jets are without a tested backup QB, unless you count Rick Mirer, so if Vinny goes down, New York could be in big trouble.

The Jets have one of the best three-headed monsters in the NFL in QB Testeverde, running back Curtis Martin, and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. That core, along with WR Wayne Cherbet and FB Keith Byars should make a lot of noise offensively.

On the defensive side, the Jets will feature controversial linebacker Brian Cox and free agent acquisition safety Steve Atwater. If Testeverde stays healthy and the defense plays like the veteran unit it is, it could be a Super season for the Jets.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are next in line for a spot in sport’s ultimate one-game showcase. The obvious weakness of their squad has been the lack of a running game that has been a staple since Dan Marino got there in 1983.

Well, he’s still there, and there’s still question marks in the Miami backfield. Incumbent Kareem Abdul-Jabar figures to win the job again, even though the Fins have spent several draft picks on the spot in the last two years.

Marino will have two very good receivers in O.J. McDuffie and newly acquired Tony Martin to throw to. If they can get a consistent running attack, they will be tough to stop.

Defensively, Zach Thomas has blossomed from a fifth-round draft pick to a legitimate star in the NFL. Cornerbacks Terrell Buckley and Sam Madison anchor a defensive backfield that makes big plays but is prone to breakdowns.

Jimmy Johnson is building this team much like he did the Dallas Cowboys. He has most of the pieces in place. Now all he needs is another Emmitt Smith.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills were another team that surprised a lot of people last year. Prior to the season, they acquired Rob Johnson to be the franchise quarterback. Then Doug Flutie came on and stole the show, leading the Bills to a playoff season.

Now Flutie is making as much as Johnson and will be the starter. Eric Moulds came out of nowhere to burn secondaries throughout the league, catching 72 passes, including nine touchdowns. And, of course, Andre Reed will still be there as a threat and a link to past successes.

Antowain Smith had a great year in just his second season and will return as a feature back for the team.

When you say Buffalo Bills, you think Bruce Smith, and the All-Pro defensive end will return for another year of terrorizing quarterbacks.

To help him will be three rookies looking to be in prominent roles.

Linebackers Jay Foreman and Keith Newman expect to play right away, while cornerback Antonio Winfield will also help.

The Bills have depth in key areas, and if Flutie can produce another magical year, the Bills should find themselves in contention for a playoff bid.

New England Patriots

The Patriots are the fourth team in the East that have a very decent chance at making the postseason. Last year, they were beset by key injuries, and if they can stay healthy it could be a good year.

As always, Drew Bledsoe will hold New England’s fate in his hands.

The Pro Bowl quarterback will have Terry Glenn to throw to again, and Ben Coates has been a rock of stability at the tight end spot.

Last year Robert Edwards surpassed everybody by rushing for over 1,000 yards in his rookie year.

However, in one of the saddest stories of the off-season, Edwards tore up his knee at a flag football game in Hawaii and will miss the season.

Trying to fill his shoes will be Kevin Faulk, a rookie from LSU, and newly signed veteran Terry Allen.

Another key injury already sustained is that of Ted Johnson.

The solid middle linebacker tore his bicep during training camp, and could be lost for the year.

Highly touted rookie Andy Katzenmoyer will be asked to fill in, but has been inconsistent so far in the preseason.

Ty Law and Lawyer Milloy combine to give New England one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will be by far the worst team in the division, but they should be improved.

QB Payton Manning has another year under his belt, and rookie RB Edgerrin James has been impressive so far.

The rest of the offense could struggle, so the fate of the unit will rest on the two youngsters shoulders.

On the other side of the ball, the Colts opened up their pocketbooks and signed five players that will all contribute. Corneilius Bennett, Chad Bratzke and Shawn King will all start, as will Chad Cota.

Still, the Colts are a young team that will consider a good year if they get six wins.