Number 3: New England Patriots
If the New England Patriots had Cam Newton still under center, then they likely would have been number two in the rankings. However, a rookie quarterback is going to go through growing pains and this will likely result in a few losses that would have been wins, especially early in the season.
Long-term, it probably was the right move to get Mac Jones onto the field but that is going to have a negative effect on their success this season. In addition to the change at quarterback, the Patriots are going to be without one of the top cornerbacks in the league, Stephon Gilmore, for the first six weeks of the season.
The Patriots were aggressive this offseason by adding players like Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matthew Judon, and Kyle Van Noy. The change at quarterback, combined with the absence of Gilmore, will keep New England in third place in the AFC East this year.