Smashmouth Football League Articles

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills
2. Miami Dolphins
3. New England Patriots
4. New York Jets

Analysis: Last year the Buffalo Bills surprised everyone, despite a difficult end of season and I think they do it again. Their time is now and they will be pulling out all the stops. The Miami Dolphins got a lot of attention for having a great draft, and while I think some of the moves (mostly Portis) help immediately, their team still has a bit of development to go before they win the division again. It seems odd putting the New England Patriots third, but we saw them struggle last season and I expect that to continue a little this year. In last place, it feels even worse putting the New York Jets, but while I believe in the team GM Kevin Mullendore is putting on the field, my gut says it's one more year until they're contending and back on top (though they likely get 7-8 wins still).

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Cleveland Browns

Analysis: Okay, this pick is probably more to upset and troll the other GMs in the division (watch for triggered comments), but I'm picking the Baltimore Ravens to win the division behind their rookie draft gem QB, Tyler Thigpen. Behind them, I think that GM Tim Miller and the Pittsburgh Steelers will surprise a few people this year with their unique gameplanning strategy. The Cincinnati Bengals will still be a good team, but they are regressing and I expect them to be below the mean this year. Last, we have the Cleveland Browns who will instantly regret trading Drew Bledsoe for Philip Rivers, as they fall back into irrelevancy.

AFC South

1. Tennessee Titans
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Houston Texans

Analysis: The Tennessee Titans have done it again, trading off assets for studs to get them off the hot seat. I think it works again, but we have to ask ourselves if they will keep the players this time around. Right behind them are the Jacksonville Jaguars who should only continue to improve. I want to put the Indianapolis Colts higher, but they continue to flounder and I feel their roster got worse instead of better this offseason. They're still better than the Houston Texans though, who made some excellent moves, but are relying on David Carr to save their GM's job. Not a good plan.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Oakland Raiders
4. Denver Broncos

Analysis: A season after trashing the San Diego Chargers (and being proved right, for the record), I think they made excellent strides in improving their team. I think they are ready to jump back to the playoffs behind rookie quarterback Brady Quinn. I also think the Kansas City Chiefs are better than we're talking. Byron Leftwich seems ready for a stellar campaign. I expect the Oakland Raiders to have some Super Bowl hangover, but they still may push for a playoff spot. In last place is the Denver Broncos who have been silent since trading for Ben Roethlisberger. But take it from me, he won't win them games.

AFC Playoff Seedings

1. Tennessee Titans
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. San Diego Chargers
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Miami Dolphins