The NFC predictions are done, now for the other half of the NFL in the AFC. The AFC isn't as strong as the NFC, but there are some very good teams. The AFC will have great battles in between divisions just like the NFC has.
AFC East:
1. New England Patriots: 10-6
The window is beginning to close on the Patriots to win now. The many offseason distractions further hurts the team. The team will be without Aaron Hernandez after he was charged with murder and later released by the team. Rob Gronkowski is also likely done for the year with constant health concerns after undergoing multiple surgeries. So with those two issues and the offseason departure of Wes Welker, that leaves very few legitimate options receiving the ball from Tom Brady. The offensive line will give him more than enough time that it probably won't matter though. The defense is feast or famine, they can either be lights out or will give up yards in bunches. The development of the young talent on the defense is the true key for the Patriots to win another division title
2. Miami Dolphins: 9-7
It seemed like there wasn't a day in the offseason that include a move made by the Dolphins. The Dolphins made a ton of moves, including signing WR Mike Wallace and LB Dannell Ellerbe and then moving up to the third pick in the draft to select Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan. Question is now, will the Dolphins find immediate success? Well, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins have both proved that you cannot build a team through free agency. The Dolphins might find a little success with their acquisitions. The division is very weak and second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill has weapons around him, so only time will tell whether this group of men can come together and play as one unit.
3. Buffalo Bills: 6-10
Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs in over a decade, and that streak will probably continue, as the team looks to start over again. Quarterback will be between rookie EJ Manuel and veteran Kevin Kolb. Neither are expected to be outstanding this season, so that gives the team a hit in that regard. Offensive line is very weak and there are very few offensive weapons other than running back CJ Spiller and receiver Stevie Johnson, so both quarterbacks will receive very little help around them. The defense had high hopes last year after all the moves the team made to improve that unit. The Bills though finished last in most defensive categories. If the team can make all those moves and still finish last on defense, it will be hard to predict the Bills will finish better the next season. Buffalo fans have had a long time waiting to see their team succeed again, and that will unfortunately continue.
4. New York Jets: 3-13
Last year got so bad for the Jets that their famous fan "Fireman Ed" gave up on the team and sold the rest of his season tickets. This season, he might as well not even buy season tickets. This team was very bad last season, and now the roster has been gutted up and down. The problems begin with a lot of dissension brewing at the quarterback after drafting West Virginia's Geno Smith to compete with former fifth overall pick Mark Sanchez. Sanchez has had back-to-back terrible seasons, leading to the selection of Smith. Other than Santonio Holmes, the receivers won't help either of the quarterbacks. The offensive line has some bright spots with left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold, but there is a huge hole on the right side of the line. The defense has nobody that will stand out, as the Jets will depend on two rookies to make a huge impact. Needless to say the Jets will be in on the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes for next April.
AFC North:
1. Cincinnati Bengals: 12-4
The Rams are my darkhorse team of the NFC, and the Bengals are my darkhorse team of the AFC. Difference is is that the Bengals will make the playoffs. Not just that, but the Bengals may have a good chance to make a Super Bowl run. The key, like every other team, is the quarterback position. Andy Dalton now needs to go from a good quarterback to a great one. There are plenty of weapons around him in receiver AJ Green, tight end Jermaine Gresham and rookie running back Giovanni Bernard. Add them with a solid offensive line, and this is a very good offense. The defense is just as good as the offense too. When a defensive tackle has over 12 sacks, which Geno Atkins did do last season, that sets a very good tone for the rest of the defense. Even with the defending champions in the same division, expect the Bengals to begin a reign of dominance.
2. Baltimore Ravens: 10-6*
For a defending Super Bowl champion, the Ravens underwent a lot of changes this offseason. Gone are future hall of famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, along with key starters Matt Birk, Anquan Boldin, Bernard Pollard, Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger. Needless to say there will be a lot of new starters. A great draft and a couple key free agent signings do help replace all the departures, but it may take some time for all the new pieces to gel with the players already there. The Ravens will still be good though, as it should be expected that Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco should continue to prove himself as he did on that playoff run.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-9
The Steelers are in a sort of a rebuild mode as they continue to get younger. Ben Roethlisberger continues to play hard-nosed and takes a lot of hits in the process. Big Ben is now 31 and has a lot of tread on his tires, so to be more efficient is key. The receiving corps is very weak around him, but Roethlisberger cannot afford to stand in the pocket for very long and take the amount of hits he has taken in his career. Le'Veon Bell will bring back a toughness factor to the running game that has lacked for a while. If healthy, Jarvis Jones will be the steal of the draft and can bring youth to the pass rush. Other than that, the defense needs to stay healthy if Pittsburgh will find any success in 2013.
4. Cleveland Browns: 5-11
The Browns are starting over, again. They have a new head coach, but that isn't even the best hire they made. Rob Chudzinski might be the head coach, but hiring Ray Horton as defensive coordinator is even better. Horton learned under Dick Lebeau and put together a very good defense out in Arizona and should do the same in Cleveland. The problem is is the offense. Trent Richardson is a very good running back, but beyond him, there isn't much that will scare defensive coordinators. Brandon Weeden is going into his second season in the NFL, but will turn 30 in the middle of the season, so he has no room for development in his career. But Weeden is one of many Browns that are in a make or break year on the roster, and the offense will hold this team back. The Browns may be good, but may continue to be bad, so officially this prediction will be a "prove me wrong" pick.
AFC South:
1. Houston Texans: 11-5
The pressure is on in Houston. The last two seasons have seen the franchise win their first two division titles and playoff appearances. Now the Texans are looking to get past the divisional round of the playoffs (and to beat a playoff team other than just the Cincinnati Bengals). I have never been too certain if Matt Schaub can be the quarterback that can lead the team on a long playoff run. The window is slowly closing on star receiver Andre Johnson. Surprisingly, it took the team up til this year to draft a receiver to compliment Johnson, but it might be too late. The running game is still perhaps the best in the NFL, so there is no problem there. The defense will again be led by JJ Watt, who looks to continue on his unbelievable 2012 season. There are question marks to the rest of the defense, starting with the linebacking corps. Brian Cushing is very solid, if he stays on the field. The Texans need to find others to stand out along with Watt and Cushing to take the next step for this franchise.
2. Indianapolis Colts: 8-8
Last season's Colts team was perhaps the best Cinderella story the in the last few years. Rookie quarterback replacing a first ballot hall of famer with a young team around him, playing hard for their head coach who underwent a life changing chemotherapy to battle leukemia. Now how does Chuck Pagano, Andrew Luck and company follow that up? There should be some doubt as to the Colts making the postseason this year because the motivation the team played with last season to continue this season. Andrew Luck led the league in turnovers last year but the team still managed to win 11 games. Can't expect that total if the turnovers continue. The defense is still a work in progress as the "in with the new, out with the old" continues as former playmakers like Dwight Freeney departs and is replaced by others such as first round pick Bjoern Werner. A lot went right last year in Indianapolis, but a repeat of that will be tough.
3. Tennessee Titans: 8-8
I am not getting a good read on the Titans as a team. Last year I picked them to make the postseason, but they obviously disappointed. There are no more excuses for Chris Johnson to get going with the running game. The Titans spent the offseason building the offensive line on the interior, so Johnson needs to return to an elite level as a runner. Another Titan in need of improvement is quarterback Jake Locker. The former eighth overall pick is entering his third season in the league and has only earned four wins as a starter. Tennessee needs Locker to become more fluid and consistent to find any success. The defense has good potential, but it hasn't come together yet. The defense gave up 30 points or more eight times. Obviously a pretty unacceptable number. No way the Titans will win many games unless the defense stops the opponent from scoring that many times.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-14
It has been a long couple of years for Jaguars fans. Unfortunately, this year won't change any emotions for Jaguars fans. When the starting quarterback battle is between Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne, that is the first indicator of what is to come. The team had a very nice draft, getting good players such as tackle Luke Joeckel, safety Jonathan Cyprien and "offensive weapon" Denard Robinson. The rebuilding process gets a nice start, but that is all it is, a start. There is really nothing more to say about this team.
AFC West:
1. Denver Broncos: 13-3
By far the best team in the AFC. Should be the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning showed little to no signs of rust or age as he added onto his hall of fame career. Pretty weird how Demariyus Thomas and Eric Decker's receiving numbers went up when Manning took over at quarterback over Tim Tebow, isn't it? The defense takes a hit with the potential loss of Von Miller the first four games, but Peyton Manning never had a great defense in Indianapolis and won games. The Broncos have a well-oiled machine on offense and should finish top five on offense again and have plenty of talent on defense that Denver fans will have fun again this season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: 9-7*
Not very often does the team that selects first overall makes the playoffs the very next year, but the Chiefs has too much talent to be 2-14. 2012 was an example of how important quarterback play is in the NFL. The Chiefs only had eight touchdown passes. Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne both had at least nine touchdown passes for the Jaguars, who also finished 2-14. Alex Smith isn't exactly going to cut opposing defenses up, but is much more competent as a quarterback and won't make throws that can lose games. But with a lack of explosive plays, the Chiefs may be held back again by the quarterback position. But the talent in the running game and on defense, along with bringing in a good coaching staff, will put this team in the playoffs.
3. San Diego Chargers: 7-9
A new regime enters in San Diego as there are finally replacements at general manager and head coach. San Diego had perhaps the best draft, able to snag three potential all-pros with their first three selections in tackle DJ Fluker, linebacker Manti Teo and receiver Keenan Allen. But even with those additions, there are still big holes among those position groups. Quarterback Phillip Rivers has little time to throw behind a porous line and has little options to throw to. This is an evaluation year for Rivers as the starting quarterback, which is pretty unfair given the circumstances. It will be a tough year in San Diego, but the Chargers are moving in the right direction.
4. Oakland Raiders: 1-15
Finally, we get to the Raiders. The Raiders have been among the worst teams in the NFL for over a decade, and it is about to get worse for fans out by the bay. It is hard for myself to pick a team to only win one lone game, but looking at the roster, there is no way I can predict any more than that. Starting with the quarterback, it is between Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor. I don't see many defensive coordinators cringing in fear over them. If Darren McFadden can stay healthy, he very well might be the best running back in the league, but that is a big if. I was about to say the offensive line is a bright spot for this team, but in the middle of me writing this, left tackle Jared Veldheer is out for a substantial amount of time, so there is even question marks there. There is really nothing more I can say about this team, because most of the players won't be making much of an impact anyways.
*denotes wildcard team
Playoff seedings:
1. Denver Broncos
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Houston Texans
4. New England Patriots
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Kansas City Chiefs
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