AFC Preview

Well, I'm back after a little more than a month off.  Here we are with the first game of the season underway and I'm particularly siked, I'm getting the chills for the first time in a while.  It comes at a particularly good time for myself as I, and I'm sure a few others, need something to be happy about.  So without further ado and given the time constraints with this game here's my 2011 AFC Preview... (teams listed according to last season's standings)

AFC


North:


Pittsburgh Steelers (last season 12-4, 1st Place)

Yet again the Yellow and Black is the team to beat in the north.  The Ravens will be pesky as usual and be right in the hunt until the final week of the season, I'm sure, but the defending AFC Champs are back and I look for Mike Wallace to further develop into an elite WR in this league.
*Prediction: 11-5; 1st Place

Baltimore Ravens (last season 12-4, 2nd Place)

The Ravens are the team that could probably win 5 other divisions in the NFL, but they are in the same one as the Steelers, and it will cost them.  I think they do take a small step back as the defense growing another year older starts to show.
*Prediction: 10-6; 2nd Place

Cleveland Browns (last season 5-11, 3rd Place)

The Browns are a team that I like.  I like their quarterback as Colt McCoy has looked great in the preseason and looks like he is poised to develop into a viable starter in this league, and Cleveland's QB of the future, something they haven't had in quite sometime.  They made good strides, but aren't quite there yet.
*Prediction 7-9; 3rd Place

Cincinnati Bengals (last season 4-12, 4th Place)

The Bungals.  Well, to put it bluntly, they're in for a long year.  With a rookie QB, Andy Dalton, at the helm it is always difficult to compete.  I like his prospects long term, but the team is going to be tough to watch this year without Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco.  AJ Green will be a very good WR in this league, but he fell into a mess of a situation.
*Prediction: 3-13; 4th Place

East:


New England Patriots (last season 14-2, 1st Place)

Wow.  What to say about the Pats.  They were 14-2 last year, 14-2!  But couldn't do it in the Playoffs.  But,  with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick you can never neglect to mention them as Super Bowl contenders, and that doesn't change this year.
*Prediction: 13-3, 1st Place

New York Jets (last season 11-5, 2nd Place)

Well, if you ask Rex Ryan they'll win the Super Bowl.  But then again they would be the 2-time defending champs if Rex was always right.  The Jets are a very, very good defensive team and their classic "ground and pound" style will be prevalent again this year, but maybe with Shonn Greene leading the way this year.  Still New England's baby brother.
*Prediction: 11-5, 2nd Place

Miami Dolphins (last season 7-9, 3rd Place)

The Dolphins, I think, lost more than people realize on offense with the loss of both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, and only gaining rookie Daniel Thomas, who I think has a bright future, and Reggie Bush, who no matter what Tony Sparano says, is not a future back.  Trust me, as a Saint fan, I know.  Miami's defense isn't enough to do it and Chad Henne isn't the guy.
*Prediction: 5-11, 4th Place

Buffalo Bills (last year 4-12, 4th Place)

The Bills are just a miserable franchise and they need to move.  I'm sorry to the Bills fans, if there are any, but they aren't very good.  On the bright side though, I think they do take a step forward this year out of the basement with stability at the quarterback position with Harvard alum Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Also Stevie Johnson proves himself this year with a repeat season.
*Prediciton: 6-10, 3rd Place

South


Indianapolis Colts (last season 10-6, 1st Place)

Wow, what a difference a day makes.  Yesterday, Peyton was only out Week 1, and today he's out at least 2-3 months.  This is a surgery my dad has had 3 or 4 times and I don't see him coming back this year.  Without Manning, this is not going to be a good football team.  I don't care how many weapons they have catching the ball, without someone to throw to them and without a decent run game, they're in trouble.
*Prediction: 6-10; 3rd Place

Jacksonville Jaguars (last season 8-8, 2nd Place)

In a stunning move, yesterday the Jags released starting QB David Garrard and will start Luke McCown in preparation for the Blaine Gabbert era.  This will seriously hinder their chances this year even with the additions of LBs Paul Posluszny and Matt Roth.  Without a QB, they aren't going anywhere.
*Prediction: 5-11; 4th Place

Houston Texans (last season 6-10, 3rd place)

The Texans definitely disappointed last year after some higher expectations, but without Peyton Manning in their division, they should skate to a division title.  In maybe the weakest division now, and an improved defense with the addition of CB Jonathan Joseph formerly of the Bengals, the Texans should be in line for their first division title.
*Prediction: 11-5, 1st Place

Tennessee Titans (last season 6-10, 4th place)

The Titans added veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck to take over their offense as a stopgap until rookie Jake Locker is ready.  In this division without Manning now, he should be enough to get them second place.
*Prediction: 7-9; 2nd Place

West


Kansas City Chiefs (last year 10-6, 1st place)

The Chiefs came out of right field last year to win the AFC West with a great ground game behind Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, and Dwayne Bowe catching TDs, they can still be competitive.  Matt Cassel is a viable QB and their defense can hold its own with Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers, and Eric Berry.  However, I think they take a step back.
*Prediction: 8-8; 2nd Place

San Diego Chargers (last year 9-7, 2nd Place)

With Vincent Jackson here for the full year, and Philip Rivers coming into his prime, and who I think is without a doubt an elite QB in this league, the Chargers should win this division.  They have a solid RB tandem in 2nd-year pro Ryan Mathews and the dougie-ing tank Mike Tolbert.  Their defense will be solid again.
*Prediction: 10-6; 1st Place

Oakland Raiders (last year 8-8, 3rd place)

With a perfect divisional record last year at 6-0, the Raiders still finished a mediocre 8-8, and weren't able to make the playoffs.  They will be average again with the loss of CB Nnamdi Asomugha, although Run DMC Darren McFadden is here to stay.
*Prediction: 7-9, 3rd Place

Denver Broncos (last year 4-12, 4th place)

With all the talk of Tim Tebow surrounding the Broncos, they made the smart move and went with the proven Kyle Orton.  They have Brandon Lloyd on the outside who had a breakout year last year, but without much of a defense and it remains to be seen if Knowshon Moreno can be the guy they drafted him to be.  They're in for a long year as well.
*Prediction: 4-12; 4th place

In short:

North: Steelers 11-5
East: Pats 13-3
South: Texans 11-5
West: Chargers 10-6

Wild Cards:
Jets 11-5
Ravens 10-6

AFC Championship: Patriots over Chargers

Look out for my NFC Preview coming tomorrow or Saturday!