AFC Predicitions 2008

The AFC is the stronger conference. The Big 3 of Indy, NE and San Diego are the three best teams in the league. On paper teams like Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Tennessee seem to be ready to take the next step. The problem with those four teams is that there are stuck in a very bad division. Also, their schedule is a mine field. I went against the grain a little bit and picked some real sleepers in the AFC.

AFC EAST
1- New England (12-4) Too much talent for NE to suffer a Super Bowl hangover.
2- New York Jets (10-6) The Jets were much improved before they got Favre. Brett leads them back into the playoffs as a wild card.
3-Buffalo (5-11) The Bills don't have a real threat at QB and struggle all year long.
4- Miami (4-12) Year 1 of the Sparano/Parcells rebuilding project shows some promise.

AFC NORTH
1-Cincinnatti (10-6) The Bengals suprise everyone and take the division. Palmer, TJ and Chad lead the way.
2-Pittsburgh (9-7) A brutal schedule catches up with the Steelers and they fall short of the playoffs.
3- Cleveland (8-8) Everyone's bandwagon team disappoints and finishes .500.
4- Baltimore (6-10) They will win some games early but won't be able to sustain it throughout the year.

AFC SOUTH
1-Indianapolis (11-5) Indy won't get to the 12 win mark for the 6th straight year, but they have Peyton Manning and that is all you need.
2-Jacksonville (9-7) Jax falls short of playoffs despite being a strong team.
3-Houston (8-8) A possible sleeper that is maybe 1 year away.
4- Tennessee (6-10) Their defense can only do so much. Vince Young will struggle.

AFC WEST
1-San Diego (12-4) The class of the division. Can hang with any team on any Sunday.
2-Denver (10-6) I'm a Bronco fan and I never pick Denver to make the playoffs. Why not Denver? Maybe Cutler puts them on his back and gets them in as a wild card.
3-Oakland (6-10) Raiders are explosive but I think 2009 may be when they really return.
4- Kansas City (3-13) A young team in a rebuiliding situation. Herm will have them play hard every week.

AFC Playoffs:
1- San Diego
2- New England
3-Indy
4- Cincy
5- New York Jets
6- Denver

AFC TITLE GAME: San Diego over Indy