AFC Predictions

AFC

This looks to be the slightly stronger conference and at least two of the divisions should be quite competitive. The following is what I expect from each division.

AFC North

This looks like a two team race again this year with the reigning champions Pittsburgh and Baltimore likely to fight it out literally for the divisional title. Last year Baltimore were my Dark Horse tip and they duly obliged going mighty close before showing their lack of experience in the AFC Championship game. With Joe Flacco another year wiser and the team still looking formidable on defence I think they will run the Steelers close again and make it deep into the post season with The Super Bowl not being out of the question. Overall predictions:

1^st Baltimore Ravens

2^nd Pittsburgh Steelers

3^rd Cincinnati Bengals

4^th Cleveland Browns

AFC South

This looks like being a tough division to get out of again and it is hard not to feel sorry for The Texans who are still looking for their 1^st trip to the post season. You get the feeling that if they were in almost any other division they would be in with a chance. Anyway they are not and once again they will miss out as both The Colts and Titans look like they will battle it out for top spot. It is possible the Texans could sneak a wild card but I think it’s going to be at least next year before they make the grade. Overall Predictions:

1^st Indianapolis Colts

2^nd Tennessee Titans

3^rd Houston Texans

4^th Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC East

What a change we saw last season with the previous 1-15 Dolphins coming through to snatch the division and inflict a rare early season close on the Patriots. The Jets also played well until Favre’s arm gave out and the Bills showed some small sparks of promise. However The Patriots have Tom Brady back and it would be a brave person who bet against them regaining the divisional title this year. The Jets look to have improved all round and they should be good enough to snatch second. The Dolphins will probably get the wooden spoon although I don’t expect them to be 1-15 again in a hurry.  Overall Predictions:

1^st New England Patriots

2^nd New York Jets

3^rd Buffalo Bills

4^th Miami Dolphins

AFC West

Definitely not a case of saving the best for last although the Chargers are real contenders this year despite staggering into the playoffs last year following The Broncos late collapse. Of the rest possibly Oakland will come through for second. They have had so many early draft picks of late that something is bound to work for them. The Broncos made a big mistake in my opinion in releasing Jay Cutler and although the draft picks will come in useful in the future it is not going to help this year. Kansas have picked up some good players and Matt Cassel looks a useful quarterback – however how he will perform without all the Patriots stars around him remains to be seen.  Overall Predictions:

1^st San Diego Chargers

2^nd Oakland Raiders

3^rd Denver Broncos

4^th Kansas City Chiefs