AFC Predictions

The NFL Season opener is four months away, but its never too early to get some pre-season predictions in. Here is the way things are going to shape up in the AFC in 2008. 

AFC East

1) New England Patriots* - Is there any doubt that the combo of Brady to Moss won't terrorize the league for years to come? Don't expect the Super Bowl loss to de-rail the reigning AFC champs.

2) Buffalo Bills - The Bills finished off last season strong, but not strong enough to reach the playoffs. Second year players Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch will be relied on heavily if the Bills want to return to the playoffs and erase memories of the Music City Miracle.

3) New York Jets - The Jets shoveled out over $130 million in new players like Alan Faneca, Calvin Pace, and Bubba Franks but we'll see if these newbies can turn around a Jets team that only won four games last year, two against Miami.

4) Miami Dolphins - They'll win more than one game but not too many more. Bill Parcells has the team going in the right direction however, if dancing star Jason Taylor goes somewhere else the Dolphins will only dig themselves a deeper hole. 

AFC North 

1) Cleveland Browns* - They were the leagues biggest surprise last year, but it wasn't enough to make the playoffs. Phil Savage made marvelous off-season transactions that                        

could put this team over the edge, if Derek Anderson plays like last year nothing can stop Cleveland from getting 10+ wins.

2) Pittsburgh Steelers* - Willie Parker is the real deal but when he went down last season so did Pittsburgh. The addition of Rashard Mendenhal will solidify the backfield, and Limas Sweed gives Big Ben that tall receiving target to compliment Hines Ward. 

3) Baltimore Ravens - Two years ago Baltimore was 13-3 last season they were 5-11, it's anyones guess which team will show up this year. The defense is always strong but can Joe Flacco bring the Ravens their long awaited savior on offense?

4) Cincinnati Bengals - Since 2001 only Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison/Reggie Wayne have connected on more passes than Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. With Johnson sitting out the entire team will struggle. 

AFC West

1) San Diego Chargers* - Last season started off rocky but the Chargers survived, and finished one game away from the Super Bowl. Norv Turner proved he can win in the playoffs and he did it without a healthy Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates, OR LaDanian Tomlinson. This team is ready to make it to the next level.

2) Oakland Raiders - I might lose all my credentials with this pick but I'm going out on a limb here. DeAngello Hall and Gibril Wilson solidify a defense that has finished in the top five the last three years. JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, and Darren McFadden will need to step up big for Oakland to succeed.

3) Denver Broncos - Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall flashed signs as the next great pass and catch duo, but off season issues have put the two at odds. If the Broncos look to stop their two year playoff drought their once powerful defense will have to drastically improve from their mediocre 2007 performance.

4) Kansas City Chiefs - When they traded Jared Allen they gave up on this season; however, their fantastic draft gave the Chiefs the building blocks for many winning seasons to come.

AFC South 

1) Indianapolis Colts* - Don't let the Marvin Harrison off-season debacle fool you the Colts are still the cream of the crop of the AFC South.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars* - Of all teams in the AFC South the Jaguars are the most poised to overtake the Colts. David Garrard is a bona-fide star ready to lead his team back to the playoffs. In my opinion the most underrated off-season move is Greg Williams leaving Washington and taking over the defensive reins in Jacksonville.

 

3) Houston Texans - The team finished 8-8 for the first time in the franchises history and controversial 2006 first overall pick Mario Williams has come in to his own, look for the Texans to leave the basement of the AFC South for the first time since joining the NFL. 

4) Tennessee Titans - Their defense was nearly flawless in the first half of last season but struggled down the stretch. The Titans failed to get Vince Young any play-makers in the draft but look for first round bust Mike Williams to come back to life and quite possible re-energize the Titans flat offense. 

*Denotes playoff bound team