AFC Preview 2010
With the start of the season just around the corner, there’s no better time to dust off my prediction hat and see what the upcoming NFL year has in store.
As opposed to giving a full season preview for every team (who honestly hasn’t already read at least half a dozen of those?), I’ll be handing out a single note (and maybe a bonus here and there) for fans of each team to keep their eye on. Are you ready for some football?!
AFC NORTH
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Starting off with a surprise here, but the Bengals are a great team. Their improving defence gets little to no respect, especially considering they have arguably the top pair of corners in the league (Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall). Oh yeah, and they signed Terrell Owens to add to an already impressive offence. Now who could’ve called that?
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have amassed one of the deepest rosters in the entire league, but I can’t help but be frightened by the secondary. Corner Dominique Foxworth was lost for the season, and fellow cornerbacks Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington are both coming back from injuries. Add in All-Pro safety Ed Reed’s hip problem and this team could get torched by the pass.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Everyone has been clamoring for Dennis Dixon to get a shot at the helm, but honestly, let’s not kid ourselves. The Steelers need Ben Roethlisberger to hit the ground running when he returns from suspension, or else it’s going to be a long, long season for Steeler Nation.
4. Cleveland Browns
The Browns roster sums up the term “Mistake by the Lake.” It’s incredibly weak at almost every position, but at least Mike Holmgren and company seem to have a plan for the team. It’ll just take a couple of years to get there.
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AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots
Randy Moss is going to have a monster season for the Pats, and the reason is simple – it’s a contract year. Moss is supremely talented to begin with, and the added motivation to secure a final lucrative contract will surely result in big numbers. Enjoy it while it lasts Tom Brady.
2. Miami Dolphins
Yes, I’m higher on the Miami Dolphins than most. The additions of Brandon Marshall via trade and Karlos Dansby in free agency, combined with a strong draft, make the Fish a formidable team. They’ll be good this year, and I think they’ll be “Super” in the very near future.
3. New York Jets
Sorry, I’m not buying it. This is possibly the best team on paper, but can they gel? Darrelle Revis is holding out, and they have more attention-craving divas than a reality television show (including coach Rex Ryan). It’s Super Bowl or bust for the J-E-T-S, but I get the feeling they’re going to be in for a crash landing.
4. Buffalo Bills
I have optimism for the Bills – this may finally be the year they’re bad enough to secure a top draft pick. Let’s go back over the last eleven drafts and look at the Bills first draft position; 26, 21, 4, 23, 13, 55, 8, 12, 11, 11, 9. Buffalo’s consistently bad, just not bad enough to grab the elite players (and yes, I’m aware you can get elite players at any point in the draft). Securing a top draft pick, possibly in the top three, will generate a lot of buzz for the franchise, and give the fans a new face of the franchise.
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis Colts
I spent hours in my lab and came up with an astonishing scientific equation: Peyton Manning = division title. As long as he’s in Indy, the Colts will win at least 11 games and the AFC South. News flash: Bob Sanders says he’s healthy. I give him four games.
2. Tennessee Titans
Tough call between the Titans and the Texans, but I’m giving the edge to Jeff Fisher. I expect the Titans to implement a more advanced passing game this season to ease the load on Chris Johnson. And you can never overlook a Tennessee defence.
3. Houston Texans
The offence is outstanding (is there anything Andre Johnson can’t do?), but the Texans will find a way to stumble. I expect it to be in the secondary, and it will also be interesting to see how much they miss suspended linebacker Brian Cushing. They’re going to be good, just not good enough.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
A while ago I wrote that it takes some time to see what the Jags are doing, and I still think it’s going to take awhile. This year’s all about finding out which players can develop into legitimate weapons, most notably wide receiver Mike Thomas and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu.
AFC WEST
1. San Diego Chargers
With LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie gone, and Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson holding out, the Chargers seem primed to suffer a setback. But they won’t. San Diego is still easily the class of the division, and I believe the team will get McNeill signed to man the blind side. They’re better off without Cromartie anyways – even his best friend on the team, corner Quentin Jammer, says it’s a bonus that the malcontent defensive back is off the roster.
2. Denver Broncos
With the rest of the West, the Broncos are the best of a bad situation. I can’t say I see an improvement after two offseasons of the Josh McDaniels era, but I also didn’t think they’d start last season 6-0. Tim Tebow will be given every chance to develop, and there are plenty of other young players who will get major roles. I still think a .500 season would be a huge success.
3. Oakland Raiders
When Jason Campbell is supposed to be the game-changing piece, your team’s in trouble. Granted, he’s far superior to JaMarcus Russell, but the Raiders still need a draft or two to round out their roster. If only New England didn’t have their 1st round pick next year On the plus side, maybe they’ll realize that Darren McFadden shouldn’t be a starter and give more carries to Michael Bush.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
They’re slowly but surely getting there. The last couple of drafts have yielded some talent (Dwayne Bowe, Eric Berry), but the Chiefs need their top-5 picks from 2008 and 2009, Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson respectfully, to step up in a big way. No team can afford to miss on back-to-back top-5 picks. Keep an eye on 2010 third round pick Tony Moeaki. KC’s banking on him to replace legend Tony Gonzalez at tight end, and he’s definitely got the tools to do it.
TWO POINT CONVERSION
Every year there are players who finally get the respect they’re due. It starts as a slow build in the preseason, and by the end of the year, everyone will know who they are. My first pick for this year: Baltimore defensive end/tackle Haloti Ngata. Just wait for it.
Playoff shakedown:
Wild Cards: Baltimore, Miami
AFC Wild Card Weekend: Dolphins over Bengals, Ravens over Patriots
AFC Divisional Weekend: Chargers over Dolphins, Ravens over Colts
AFC Championship: Chargers over Ravens
There you have it; the San Diego Chargers are my pick to win the AFC this season. Stay tuned for a preview of the NFL’s “other half”, the NFC.
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