AFC East
1.
New York Jets
2.
New England Patriots
3.
Buffalo Bills
4.
Miami Dolphins
Analysis: This division struggled last year. Mightily. At one point it looked like the
New York Jets would run away with it, but even they faltered down the stretch. I don't expect a massive season from them this year either, but I think it'll be enough to win the division, though the
New England Patriots may be breathing down their neck. The Patriots were much better than their record last season and had a good offseason. The last two teams are in rebuilds, but I give a slight edge to the
Buffalo Bills at this point, as the
Miami Dolphins are still retooling.
AFC North
1.
Cincinnati Bengals
2.
Pittsburgh Steelers
3.
Cleveland Browns
4.
Baltimore Ravens
Analysis: This division has four young quarterbacks that could take the reigns at any point, so it's hard to predict, because whoever starts their veterans is most likely to win. Looking at rosters, I think that the
Cincinnati Bengals are most likely to come out on top. They're most likely to play their veteran (Stanback), but also have the best young quarterback. Their team is also the most complete. I do have to say that the
Pittsburgh Steelers could surprise a lot of people. They're slowly been stockpiling resources and building up the roster. We can't discount the defending division champ
Cleveland Browns, however. They're still good and while I think they overperformed a bit last year, have to be considered contenders. Last place seems likely to be the
Baltimore Ravens as their rebuild is officially in place.
AFC South
1.
Indianapolis Colts
2.
Tennessee Titans
3.
Houston Texans
4.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Analysis: This won't be popular, but I like the
Indianapolis Colts to win this division. The "SFL All Stars" may be the reigning champs, but I still view their team as boom or bust, even with Bradford at quarterback. The Colts are a solid team and should beat the
Tennessee Titans as they're going to be looking to get too many players playing time. I also think the
Houston Texans could be good. I was a big fan of theirs last season and feel that new GM Brandon Lindgren has only improved the roster. Last place is still the
Jacksonville Jaguars who suffer being in a very tough division.
AFC West
1.
Kansas City Chiefs
2.
Denver Broncos
3.
Oakland Raiders
4.
San Diego Chargers
Analysis: This division is loaded. Trust me, I know. I'm still convinced how I made the playoffs last year, but the
Kansas City Chiefs are for real and it seems like beating GM Rodany Mendez and his team during the regular season will be impossible. But the
Denver Broncos look poised to be much more consistent as well. GM Tom Collins is ready to win. We've said a lot about the
Oakland Raiders being a different team last year if they had Chad Henne, and while that's true, I do think there are still enough holes on the roster to make them underperform. And I'm putting myself in last place -- the
San Diego Chargers got lucky last year, but are still growing.
AFC Playoff Seedings
1.
Cincinnati Bengals
2.
Kansas City Chiefs
3.
Indianapolis Colts
4.
New York Jets
5.
Denver Broncos
6.
Pittsburgh Steelers
