AFC East
1.
New England Patriots
2.
Buffalo Bills
3.
New York Jets
4.
Miami Dolphins
Analysis: The
New England Patriots have to be worried that Derek Carr may end up doing absolutely nothing for them as he starts to move toward 30 years old, but I think this is the season where they finally turn it around. Second place seems like the
Buffalo Bills should be decent again, but I'm not 100% confident they return to the playoffs. The
New York Jets seem destined for another .500 season and I think the
Miami Dolphins will be a last place team with a decent record (something like 7-9).
AFC North
1.
Baltimore Ravens
2.
Cleveland Browns
3.
Cincinnati Bengals
4.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: I think that the
Baltimore Ravens are the most complete team in this division and that should easily drive them toward winning the division. Second place seems like it should be the
Cleveland Browns, but they are coming off a quite underwhelming campaign. The
Cincinnati Bengals could surprise some people, but I just don't feel it this season (maybe it's the massive Waller contract). I've got the
Pittsburgh Steelers in last place, because the team still has a lot of holes to fill (prediction solidified before the week 1 injuries, but now it's even more true).
AFC South
1.
Tennessee Titans
2.
Houston Texans
3.
Indianapolis Colts
4.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Analysis: There might be a new GM with the
Tennessee Titans, but I think once he gets rolling, they will be a team to be reckoned with. Second place should still be the
Houston Texans, but their window is running out. The last two teams are still in massive rebuilds, but I think the
Indianapolis Colts are a bit more refined right now than the
Jacksonville Jaguars.
AFC West
1.
Oakland Raiders
2.
San Diego Chargers
3.
Kansas City Chiefs
4.
Denver Broncos
Analysis: I still think this is one of the best divisions in football, and I like new GM Phil Mellon to figure out this
Oakland Raiders team and be dominant for the entire season. The
San Diego Chargers should be good, but they seem to have replaced consistency with "sexy" which usually doesn't bode well. The
Kansas City Chiefs may be the best third-place team in the league. I still have the
Denver Broncos in last place, but I think they are massively improved and if they stay away from Lamar, they may turn some heads.
AFC Playoff Seedings
1.
Tennessee Titans
2.
New England Patriots
3.
Oakland Raiders
4.
Baltimore Ravens
5.
Houston Texans
6.
San Diego Chargers
