AFC Preview

The NFL season kicks off Thursday night with a great matchup between the Saints/ Vikings. I wanted to give my predictions for each division with an estimated guess on each team’s final record:


AFC East

1. Patriots (12-4): The Patriots will have a completely healthy Tom Brady this season with the return of Wes Welker coming off his knee surgery. As long as Brady is at the helm the Patriots are a constant contender.

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2. Dolphins (10-6): The Dolphins made an unexpected run two seasons ago and this teams is far superior in talent. Chad Henne will be under center for his second season and as an All-Pro receiver now at his dispense in Brandon Marshall. Marshall may have been one of the biggest off season acquisitions in the NFL.

3. Jets (9-7): The Jets added several new pieces with Braylon Edwards now around for a full season. Along with the trade for Santonio Holmes from the Steelers and Antonio Cromartie from the Chargers. Landanian Tomlinson joins a loaded backfield. I’m just not buying Mark Sanchez in season two. This team made the playoffs on a dramatic comeback in San Diego and the Colts laying down in Week 17.

4. Bills (3-13): What can we say about the Bills? This team’s in a brutal division and really has no offensive threats besides Lee Evans. Trent Edwards steps back under center to prove he can be the leader that the Bills need. Rookie C.J. Spiller should be exciting to watch for the first couple of weeks.

AFC North

1. Ravens (12-4): This team continues to get stronger as they added both Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The Ravens may have one of the most under rated RBs in the NFL in Ray Rice. As always the defense is led by Ray Lewis who continues to be an impressive presence in the middle of the Ravens D. The loss of Ed Reed could slow their defense down early.

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2. Bengals (10-6): My biggest question for the Bengals is which Carson Palmer shows up? Palmer needs to get back to his Pro-Bowl abilities in order for this team to make a run into the playoffs. The addition of Terrell Owens should free up space for Chad Ochocinco on the outside. Whatever ball is left will go to Cedric Benson the leading rusher for the Bengals last season. The defense is extremely physical up front and in the linebacking core. Corners Leon Hall and Jonathon Joseph may be the best combination in the AFC.

3. Steelers (8-8): The suspension of Ben Roethlisberger in the first games could put the Steelers behind the eight ball early. It will be up to Dennis Dixon to hold the team together in a very tough division. The defense will be dictated as always by the health of Toy Polamalu. The Steelers need their fearless safety to stay on the field to get their defense back to the 2008-09 team and not 2009-10 team.

4. Browns (5-11): I love the Browns but this will be another tough season in Northeast Ohio. Jack Delhomme comes in from the Panthers to lead a struggling offensive unit. The Browns ended last season with four straight wins behind a rushing attack led by Jerome Harrison. The Browns still have a young WR crew and the right side of their offensive line is a mess. Defensively is supposed to be improved by the acquisitions of Scott Fujita, Chris Kocong and Sheldon Brown. The Browns face a brutal schedule after the first two weeks. Anything past five wins is an amazing season for my Brownies.

AFC WEST

1. Chargers (12-4): The Chargers have one of the most undervalued QBs in the league in Phillip Rivers. Rivers continues to be a fiery leader out west and is at the top of most offensive categories. The Chargers are going to rely heavily on rookie running back Ryan Mathews from Fresno State after letting L.T. head east to New York. The holdout of Vincent Jackson will slow the Chargers down early in the season. Rivers still will find his weapons with TE Antonio Gates, WR Patrick Crayton and WR Malcolm Flyod.

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2. Raiders (8-8): The addition of QB Jason Campbell should help solidify a position that has been a weakness for the Raiders since Rich Gannon graced the sidelines. The Raiders are in a very weak division and have a favorable schedule to navigate through. Could this finally be the year the RB Darren McFadden proves his worth as a first round draft pick? I’m thinking so!

3. Broncos (7-9): The Broncos lose the only true playmaker on their team from a season ago in Brandon Marshall. This will surely bring down Kyle Ortons big play chances. The Broncos will rely heavily on RB Knowhson Mareno this year to stay healthy and control the ball. I fully expect rookie QB Tim Tebow to be playing by mid-season under center.

4. Chiefs (4-12): The Chiefs are still going to be young this season and may be a year away from really competing. Matt Cassell returns at QB and if the Chiefs want to have any success they need a healthy season. WR Dwayne Bowe will be a favorite target of the Cassell and could have a breakout season.

AFC South

1. Colts (13-3): Peyton Manning enough said. Once again the Colts will be a well oiled machine led by Manning. The Colts will bring back a healthy WR Anthony Gonzalez and veteran receiver Reggie Wayne among others. RB Donald Brown could be a big factor out of the backfield and give the Colts a legitimate running game. Defensively the speed ends are back with Mathis and Freeney off the edges. Rookie LB Jerry Hughes from TCU could be the AFC Rookie of the Year.

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2. Texans (10-6): QB Matt Schaub has got to stay healthy in order for the Texans to breakthrough the 8-8 barrier. This team has an All-Pro WR in Andre Johnson and legitimate scat back in Steve Slaton. The defense has been a strength of the Texans the last couple seasons led by LB DeMarco Ryans and DE Mario Williams. Will this finally be the year the Texans get past the Colts?

3. Titans (8-8): QB Vince Young is the key to the season for the Titans. Which version of the former first round pick will we get? If Young continues to play like he did in the final 12 weeks last season this could be a playoff caliber team. Obviously this team is led by RB Chris Johnson he tries to reach consecutive 2,000 yard rushing seasons.

4. Jaguars (4-12): The Jaguars are a team in disarray as the questions surrounding Head Coach Jack Del Rio continue to mount. Also the team’s location in Jacksonville. David Garrard needs to bounce back from one of his worst years as a pro. This will be a tough season for the Jags in a very competitive division.