AFC Preview
AFC East
1. 1. New York Jets(11-5)- If Sanchez had a couple more years under his belt, I would have them at 12-4 or 13-3. But I think his inexperience will cost them a couple games. But with the combination of this nasty defense and a solid offense, they should take this division. If Revis signs, bump them up to 13-3.
2. 2. New England Patriots(10-6)- I think this is another time where a team with double digit victories will miss the playoffs. I feel that this season more than others there are about 10 reallllly good teams and then the rest of the league. The Pats are just on the border of that list, and with the injury to Welker limiting his effectiveness in the slot, I see the Pats just missing out on the playoffs this year.
3. 3. Miami Dolphins(7-9)- The Dolphins would have a decent shot at a winning season if they were in another division I think. They have some solid players on offense, but they’ve lost the star players that made their defense great in years past. Give them a couple more years and they could be back on top of the East.
4.4. Buffalo Bills(3-13)- They just have very little going for them. CJ Spiller could be a greattttt player, and they have some good young talent on defense. But they are a handful of drafts and good free agents away from being a threat in this league again.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens(11-5)- The years of another super bowl might be running out in Baltimore. They have turned from a defensive juggernaut to now a formidable offense. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are winding down their hall of fame careers, and Terrell Suggs is an absolute beast. The Ravens are my dark horse to make a super bowl run this year.
2. Cincinnati Bengals(11-5)- I have really high expectations for the “Batman and Robin” combo of TO and Ochocinco. TO will have to find something new to complain about. In the past, he has complained about either not having a good quarterback: he’s got Carson Palmer, good wide receiver help: he’s got 85, or being on a good team: Bengals are good. Combine this good offense with an up and coming defense, and the Bengals should be playing in January.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers(9-7)- Even though Big Ben is only suspended for 4 games now instead of 6, his absence will be too much to overcome in this tough division. The defense mite be able to get them into the playoffs, but my guess is that they will fall to 1-3 and not be able to recover.
4. Cleveland Browns(3-13)- This team actually has some promise, but considering they will likely go 0-6 in their division, I don’t like their chances to get much done.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts(13-3): Same ole story here. The Colts are virtually unstoppable when they are clicking on all cylinders, and they are the odds on favorite to get back to the Super bowl this year, and rightly so.
2. Houston Texans(10-6)- I think this is finally the year that the Texans break through and make the playoffs. They will really miss Brian Cushing his first 4 games, but he won’t be as much of a game changer as the absence of Big Ben. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson might be the best QB-WR combo in the league, and their young defense is maturing very fast.
3. Tennessee Titans(6-10)- Another case of a somewhat talented team stuck in a tough division. If the Titans could get some better receivers, their offense would be unbeatable with CJ in the backfield.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars(5-11)- The Jaguars are the 2nd longshot in Vegas for the Super bowl after the Lions, which seems a bit ridiculous to me. I mean they aren’t that good, but I don’t think they are that bad. MJD is a freak of nature, and Garrard will be fighting for his job.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers(12-4)- Another team that is on repeat. They will be 7-4, then rile off 5 games in a row and be the hottest team going into the playoffs before fizzling out in the playoffs. There are too many teams in the AFC that are better than they are, and without Vincent Jackson, their offense won’t be able to cut it.
2. Denver Broncos(8-8)- The rest of this division pretty much sucks, to be blunt. The Broncos are the 2nd best team, but in other divisions they could be the worst. They have a decent defense but Kyle Orton isn’t a franchise QB.
3. Oakland Raiders(6-10)- I reallllllly feel for Jason Campbell. Campbell might be the best quarterback in the worst situations ever. At his time in Washington, he had a different Offensive coordinator every year he was there, meaning he had to learn a new offense every year. Now, he’s in Oakland. The good thing for Oakland is he’s the best field general they’ve had since Rich Gannon. He should be able to snag them a few wins.
4. Kansas City Chiefs(3-13)- Yeah they are no good. That’s about all here.
Playoff Seeds
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. San Diego Chargers
3. New York Jets
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Houston Texans
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