After previewing the NFC, here is the preview and the predictions for the AFC....
AFC East
1) New York Jets:
What I Like: They were able to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick right before training camp started, and that was the move they needed to make. Fitzpatrick had his best year ever as a Jet in 2015, and you can tell how important he was to this team and his teammates, so the fact that he was able to come back this year was enormous. With WRs Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker and RB Matt Forte, the Jets have plenty of pieces in place to help Fitzpatrick once again on offense. If they can get a healthy Ryan Clady to play to his potential, then their offensive line should be solid. Their defense has plenty of key pieces to be solid once again. Muhammad Wilkerson is signed long term, and with Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams on that defensive line, they can be a dominant group. I like the addition of DT Steve McClendon to that group as well. CB Darrelle Revis is still a top player in the secondary, and overall the defense should be a very good group. They are right there with the other teams in their division as far as talent goes, and with Tom Brady missing the first four games due to suspension, the door might be open for them to break through and win the division. If they can get through their murderous first 7 games, then they could be in line for a playoff berth.
What I Don't Like: I just hate their schedule to start the season. They host Cincy in Week 1, then they travel to Buffalo on a short week for a Thursday night game, then go to KC in Week 3. They host Seattle in Week 4, then they have back-to-back road games at Pitt and at Arizona in Weeks 5 and 6. They then have to host the Ravens in Week 7. You can make the case that they could start 1-6 or 2-5. If that happens, then they are done. They also have a back end to their schedule that features 2 games against the Pats (Weeks 12 and 16) and home games against Indy, Miami, and Buffalo. Plus, can you count on Fitzpatrick playing as well as he did in 2015? Also, although they went 10-6 in 2015, they beat up on a lot of weak teams and the schedule broke well for them last year. I'm still not sold on HC Todd Bowles as well. I don't know if he is a good enough coach to help them make the playoffs in 2016.
2) New England Patriots:
What I Like: They are the Patriots and they still have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady (after serving a four game suspension to start the year). I love the addition of TE Martellus Bennett, and I think he will provide a solid 1-2 punch with Rob Gronkowski. They also added WR Chris Hope and I could see him doing a lot of damage in this offense with Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. If they can stay healthy on the offensive line, then they will be fine down the stretch when Brady comes back. I love the addition of DE Chris Long. You know he will have a really good year under Belichick. Their defense was good last year, and they should be good again this year. Plus, the motivation they will have with the Brady suspension will be off the charts. This team doesn't need to have a chip on their shoulder, but they will have a big one considering Brady is out for the first four games. They will have an "Us against the World" mentality, and I think that will be very dangerous for the rest of the AFC. If they can stay afloat with Jimmy Garoppolo at QB while Brady is out, then there is no doubt they can rip off a lot of wins in a row when #12 comes back.
What I Don't Like: You can't just lose Tom Brady, one of the greatest QBs of all time, for the first four games of the season and expect everything to be just fine. There is no way to replace Brady, and I don't think people are really understanding how important he is to this franchise. He is missing a quarter of the season. They have injuries on the offensive line to start the year again, and RB Dion Lewis is out for an undetermined amount of time. Rob Ninkovich is also going to miss the first four games due to a suspension. I don't think it will be business as usual for the Pats to start the year. They travel to Arizona, and then they host Miami, Houston, and Buffalo in Weeks 2-4. All those teams have defenses that can get after the QB, and those will not be easy games to win-even at home. Even after Brady comes back, the schedule doesn't get easy. They have Cincy, at Pitt, at Buffalo, and Seattle in Weeks 6-9, then a trip to the Jets in Week 11, and a trip to Miami in Week 17. They are going to have to win a lot of tough games after Brady comes back if they start off slow without him.
Prediction: 10-6 and a wild card berth
3) Buffalo Bills:
What I Like: The Bills were very close to breaking through and making the playoffs last year in Rex Ryan's first year as head coach. They can finally break down that wall this year because I like the energy that Ryan brings to this franchise. They had nothing to play for in Week 17 last year and they still knocked the Jets out of the playoffs by beating them. I like Tyrod Taylor at QB. I'm not saying he is a franchise QB, but he played solid enough to be a winning quarterback for this team. They have plenty of weapons around him. Sammy Watkins, LeSean McCoy, Charles Clay and Robert Woods all can provide enough firepower to give the Bills a chance to be a very good offensive team. Now that Rex Ryan has had a year with this team, I expect him to build a better defense than they had in 2015. They still have DT Kyle Williams, OLB Jerry Hughes, CB Stephon Gilmore, and CB Ronald Darby on that unit. You have to think that Rex will find a way to get this defense molded into his favor. Their schedule is favorable on the back end. They have four out of their last six games at home (Jax, Pitt, Cleve, Miami) and they have a three game homestand in that stretch in Weeks 14-16. They also get the Jets in Week 2 at home on a short week for Thursday Night Football. Their biggest break is the fact that Tom Brady is suspended for the first four weeks, and they get the Pats on the road in Week 4 when Brady is still out. Even if they get off to a slow start, the division won't be out of reach.
What I Don't Like: They have had a pretty awful and disastrous offseason and training camp. They had to release promising running back Karlos Williams. Their best defensive player, Marcel Dareus, left the team to enter rehab. If he comes back from that, he is facing a 4 game suspension. They drafted DE Shaq Lawson in the first round of the draft, but he will miss most of the year due to shoulder surgery. ILB Reggie Ragland was drafted in the 2nd round, but he will miss the entire season due to an ACL injury. You worry about the fact that if Taylor regresses at QB, then they are in deep trouble. It is so hard to break through in their division because of the dominance of the Patriots, but the Jets and Dolphins are right there with them as far as talent is concerned. Their schedule could give them fits in Weeks 7-10 when they travel to Miami, host NE, go to Seattle, and travel to Cincy. A trip to the Jets in Week 17 could also be problematic. For a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999, nothing will be easy for them to get back into the playoffs this year.
Prediction: 8-8 and third place in the AFC East
4) Miami Dolphins:
What I Like: The talent is there for this team. They have Ryan Tannehill, Mike Pouncey, and Jarvis Landry on offense, and Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, and Reshad Jones on defense. They added Mario Williams, Kiko Alonso, and Byron Maxwell in free agency, and they had OT Laremy Tunsil fall to them at #13 in the first round of the draft. There are pieces in place for this team to finally take the next step. They got rid of one of the worst head coaches in the NFL when they fired Joe Philbin last year, and new head coach Adam Gase comes in and he is highly regarded around the league as the next big thing as far as head coaches is concerned. Perhaps that was all that this team needed to finally get over the hump, and if Gase can get Tannehill to take the next step in his career, then this team can make a move to the playoffs this year. They get a break since they travel to NE in Week 2 and Tom Brady will be suspended for that game. They also have a three game homestand in Weeks 5-7 when they host Tenn, Pitt, and Buffalo, and then they have a bye in Week 8 and host the Jets in Week 9. That is essentially a four game home stretch and they will spend the entire month of October in South Florida.
What I Don't Like: Outside of Jarvis Landry, who really scares you on this Dolphins offense? Maybe Jordan Cameron can be effective. Maybe Devante Parker can step up in his second year. They lost Lamar Miller to free agency. They really don't have another big time weapon to compliment Landry. Also, I know that Gase comes in very heralded as a QB guru and offensive mind, but he has never been a head coach before. It is one thing to be a good offensive coordinator, but it is another thing to be a first time head coach. Let's not paint this guy as the next Bill Belichick just yet. Also, they lost Olivier Vernon and Brent Grimes on that defense as well. The back end of their schedule does them no favors at all. They travel to Baltimore in Week 13, host Arizona in Week 14, travel to the Jets and Buffalo in Weeks 15 and 16 and they host Tom Brady and the Pats in Week 17. That is a rough stretch to end the year. I could see the bottom falling out on them in December. Every year I think the Dolphins are going to be a breakout team and make the playoffs and every year they disappoint me. I just won't buy into them until I actually see it.
Prediction: 7-9 and last place in the AFC East.
AFC North
1) Pittsburgh Steelers:
What I Like: When you have Ben Roethlisberger at QB, and Mike Tomlin as your Head Coach, then your team has a really good chance to be a Super Bowl contender. They are paired with Antonio Brown, who is one of the best players in the NFL, and Le'veon Bell, and the Steelers offense will be explosive once again. Even with the yearlong suspension of WR Martavis Bryant and the four game suspension of Bell, the Steelers should be able to replace them with DeAngelo Williams and Markus Wheaton respectively. I also love the addition of TE Ladarius Green in free agency. Defensively, their secondary was pretty bad last year, but they drafted two CBs in the first two rounds of the draft, and their front seven was coming along last year too. I think they will be able to score with anyone in the league. Their schedule is friendly. A lot of their tough non-division games are at home: KC in Week 4, the Jets in Week 5, the Pats in Week 7, Dallas in Week 10, and the Giants in Week 13. They also finish with back-to-back home games to finish the season with Baltimore and Cleveland in Weeks 16 and 17. This is a team that should be primed to make a run at a Super Bowl from the AFC.
What I Don't Like: You can't be happy to see an emerging talent like Bryant miss the entire season due to a substance abuse violation. It will also hurt them to see Bell miss the first three games as well. Bell and Bryant add to that explosive nature to that offense. You still have to worry about their secondary, and overall this team seems to always battle health and injury concerns. Big Ben takes a beating every week, and if he goes down for a period of time once again, then the Steelers are in trouble. They are in a tough division and the battles with the Bengals and Ravens could take a toll on them as the year goes on.
Prediction: 11-5 and Winners of the AFC North
2) Baltimore Ravens:
What I Don't Like: If there is a clear cut candidate for a bounce back team this year, then the Ravens fit that mold. They got completely ravaged by injuries last season, and they stumbled to an uncharacteristic 5-11 season, while losing nine games by eight points or less. They can easily return to form this year. Joe Flacco comes back from injury, and I still consider him a big-time QB in the league. I like Kamar Aiken at WR, and Steve Smith comes back from injury as well. If they can get something out of Mike Wallace, then Flacco will have some solid weapons on the outside. I like the selection of OT Ronnie Stanley in the first round of the draft. I think their defense will be better this year and Terrell Suggs will be back from a season-ending injury last year, and he will once again team up with Elvis Dumervil to form a solid pass rush. Also, they added Eric Weddle to come in at safety in free agency, and he seems like he will be a perfect fit in Baltimore. Their schedule gives them a chance to get off to a good start. Here are their first five games: vs. Buffalo, at Cleve, at Jax, vs. Oak, and vs. Washington. That looks like a 4-1 start to me. Head Coach John Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the league, and I expect him to right the ship and get the Ravens back to the playoffs in 2016.
What I Don't Like: Their offensive line is still a bit of a question, and if Stanley struggles as a rookie the loss of Kelechi Osemele will grow larger for this group. If Steve Smith, Mike Wallace, and Breshad Perriman don't return to form from injuries, then they might struggle to put up enough points. Don't forget newly acquired TE Ben Watson tore his Achilles in the first preseason game and is out for the year. The same can be said about Terrell Suggs on defense. Although their schedule is favorable in the beginning of the year, it gets pretty tough down the stretch. From Weeks 11-17 they go to Dallas, host Cincy and Miami, head to NE, host Philly, and go to Pittsburgh and Cincy. That is a rough way to end the season. I'm also concerned that they don't match up in talent with the Steelers and the Bengals in their division.
Prediction: 10-6 and a wild card berth
3) Cincinnati Bengals:
What I Like: Before Andy Dalton went down to injury last year in Week 14, they were probably the most complete team in the AFC and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. When you look at their roster, they still have a very talented group of young players. Dalton was on fire last year before he got hurt, and he still has A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, Jeremy Hill, Giovanni Bernard to go along with that solid offensive line. Their defense still features Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson, Adam Jones, and George Iloka. They added Karlos Dansby in free agency to provide some veteran leadership to that defense. They have made the playoffs five years in a row and six out of the last seven seasons, but they have failed to win a playoff game each time, and last year they suffered about as brutal of a loss as possible when they got beat by Pittsburgh 18-16. If there was ever a team that was due to breakthrough and win a playoff game, this Bengals team fits the bill. Maybe it is finally their time.
What I Don't Like: It has nothing to do with anything on the field because I think that the Bengals are still a talented team, but I think this is all mental for them at this point. The way that they lost that playoff game to the Steelers last year was just insane. They had the game won, Jeremy Hill fumbled, and then Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones melted down. I just can't see them overcoming that this season. They have been to the playoff five years in a row and six of the last seven seasons and they have 0 playoff wins to show for it. I just don't think they will recover from that this season. Throw in the losses of Marvin Jones and Mohammad Sanu on offense, and there is a chance Andy Dalton won't be the same player he was last year. Their schedule is tough early on. They go to the Jets and Pitt in Weeks 1 and 2. They host Denver in Week 3, and then they have to go to Dallas and NE in Weeks 5 and 6. I just don't think the Bengals will have it to make it back to the playoffs again this year.
Prediction: 7-9 and third place in the AFC North
4) Cleveland Browns:
What I Like: Hue Jackson brings a new energy and excitement to the franchise and he is someone that could eventually change the culture of this franchise. At least they were able to get rid of the Johnny Manziel headache by releasing him this offseason, and that distraction is gone. Perhaps Robert Griffin III gets his career on track and gains some chemistry with 1st round pick WR Corey Coleman. Josh Gordon returns after a four game suspension and perhaps he can add to that mix along with the emerging Gary Barnidge at TE. Hey, things can only go up in Cleveland at this point. The Cavs won the NBA title in June, so maybe that positive karma can carry over to the Browns.
What I Don't Like: When you are banking on RG III to win your QB job, then you team is in trouble. It would be a good story, but I just can't see it turning out well in the end. They just don't have enough talent. They are in a tough division, and they are clearly behind the Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens as far as talent is concerned. They are in rebuild move and it shows. They drafted 14 players in the draft with the idea of building for the future. This team isn't ready to compete this year, and they know it.
Prediction: 3-13 and last place in the AFC North
AFC South
1) Indianapolis Colts:
What I Like: No one had more of a nightmare year than Andrew Luck last year. Luck is still the best young QB going forward in the league, and I would expect him to come back and have a big bounce back year this year. He can literally carry this team to a playoff spot in the AFC. Overall, the whole team just didn't perform up to standard last year. They did keep head coach Chuck Pagano around, and I think that will help them that they didn't switch coaches. They did enough to help their offensive line, and I love the pick of C Ryan Kelly in the 1st round of the draft. Luck still has T.Y. Hilton, Dwayne Allen, and Donte Moncrief to help him out in the passing game. On defense, I like the pass rushing combination of Kendall Langford and Robert Mathis. Their schedule can help them early on. They have home games against Detroit, SD, and Chicago in the first 5 games. They have Jacksonville in London in Week 4 and a trip to Denver in Week 3, so they can definitely get off to a good start.This team isn't perfect on paper, but they will have a chip on their shoulder after they played so poorly overall as a team last year. As long as Luck gets back on track, and I expect him to do that, then they will be able to compete for a playoff spot.
What I Don't Like: Their offensive line will be a question mark until they actually prove that they have figured that area out. I also worry that there isn't enough as far as weapons are concerned around Luck and that offense. Is their defense up to the task? You have to wonder how much total talent is on this roster. Does it matchup with the Texans at this point? If Luck falters or gets hurt again, then they are done. So much of what they will do this year will be about Luck. Will that be too much for him again? They do have some tough road games as the year goes on. They have trips to Green Bay, the Jets, Minnesota, and Oakland all in November and December.
Prediction: 10-6 and Winners of the AFC South
2) Houston Texans:
What I Like: They have the most talented roster in their division. Their defense really came on last year and it features J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus as a pass rushing duo. If Jadeveon Clowney gets going, then watch out because this defense could be scary. I like the tandem at CB with Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson. They have what you need for a great defense: A pass rush and quality cover guys in the secondary. I really liked their draft. They drafted speedster WR Will Fuller in the 1st round and the intriguing WR Braxton Miller in the 3rd round. They added RB Lamar Miller in free agency, and don't forget that this offense still centers around WR DeAndre Hopkins. The biggest move they made in the offseason was getting QB Brock Osweiler from Denver. Everyone felt that this team was just a QB away from getting to the Super Bowl, and now that they have Osweiler in the fold, that could be the final piece to the puzzle for them. Their schedule is pretty friendly for them. They host Chicago and KC in Weeks 1 and 2. They go to NE in Week 3, who will be without Tom Brady, then they host Tenn in Week 4. You can make a very solid case that they will be 4-0. They also get Indy and Detroit at home in Weeks 6-8. Their last three games feature Jacksonville, Cincy, and at Tennessee. That could be 9 wins with just the games I mentioned.
What I Don't Like: How the hell are you going to give $18.5 million a year to a QB who has only started seven games in his career? That is what the Texans did with Brock Osweiler. I think Osweiler can be good, but I don't think he will be a franchise type guy. I think he will stabilize the position for them, but I don't think he will be able to get them over the hump. I think you can make the case that Osweiler isn't better than the other three QBs in the division (Luck, Bortles, and Mariota). Throw in the fact that projected C Nick Martin is out for the season, and the Texans have issues on the offensive line that could be their weakest link on that offense. Also, J.J. Watt had back surgery in July and although he might be ready for the season opener, you wonder how much that injury will affect him to start the year-especially since he missed all of training camp. If he is out any period of time to start the season, then their defense will not be as good as advertised. Don't forget that their division is really improved. The Jaguars and the Titans will be improved this year, and the Texans feasted on this weak division to make the playoffs this year. That won't be the case this year. I was so pissed that Osweiler left Denver for Houston, and I am so pissed on how he has acted since he left, that I don't want to see him or the Texans do well this year at all, and I want to actively root against them every week. That is another reason why I'm not picking them to make the playoffs this year.
Prediction: 8-8 and second place in the AFC South
3) Jacksonville Jaguars:
What I Like: You have love the rise of young QB Blake Bortles. He threw for over 4.400 yards last year and 35 touchdowns. They also return two young 1,000 yard receivers in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, and if Julius Thomas stays healthy, they might have the best young receiving corps iun the entire NFL. They even have options at RB with T.J. Yeldon and newly signed Chris Ivory. That is a solid group offensively. On defense, their big move was signing DL Malik Jackson. He is a game-changer and he should make a major impact right away. The other big free agent addition they made was signing S Tashaun Gipson. He should come in and start right away. If they can get something out of last year's 1st round pick, DE Donte Fowler, and this year's top two picks, FS Jalen Ramsey and OLB Myles Jack, their defense could be a really solid, young group. This franchise has been down in the dumps for a long time, and it finally looks like it has replenished itself enough to make a move a be a playoff contender in the AFC. The question is if they can make the move this year as opposed to next year. They will definitely be in a lot of games this year.
What I Don't Like: There seems to be a lot of expectation on the Jags this year. A lot of people like them and they won't just sneak up on a lot of people. With that expectation comes a lot of pressure for a young team and a young coach like Gus Bradley. Bradley is the key here. Is he really any good of a coach? He looks and acts the part, but the Jags have been awful in his tenure. Plus, how will these young guys react to having some expectations on them. When you look at their schedule, it isn't favorable in many spots. They will play four stud QBs in Weeks 1-4 (Rodgers, Rivers, Flacco, and Luck) when they host GB, go to SD, host Baltimore, and play Indy. The Week 4 game is in London too. They have two sets of back to back road games in Weeks 8-9 (Tenn and KC) and Weeks 11 and 12 (Det and Buff). They don't get back-to-back home games until Weeks 13 and 14 and that is against Denver and Minnesota. They also finish with road games at Houston and at Indy in Weeks 15 and 17. That is a really tough draw. Plus, you know Indy and Houston are going to be good and challenge for the South, and Tennessee will be a better team this year. I think when it is all said and done, the Jags will be a sexy pick to make the playoffs, but I see them being at least one year away at this point.
Prediction: 8-8 and 3rd place in the AFC South
4) Tennessee Titans:
What I Like: Here is another team with another young QB who looks like he can become a top player. I did like what I saw out of Marcus Mariota last year, and I think he will continue to progress this year. I like what they did in free agency to surround him. They added RB DeMarco Murray and C Ben Jones. They selected OT Jack Conklin in the 1st round of the draft, and he should be a starter right away. They also got RB Derrick Henry in round 2, and he should make an impact on offense this year too. TE Delanie Walker had over 1,000 yards and 94 catches last year. With Kendall Wright returning, the WR group is young and filled with some flash and potential. Their defense will feature the pass rush duo of Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan to go along the inside presence of Jurrell Casey. They selected DT Kevin Dodd of Clemson in the 2nd round to add to that pass rush, but the Titans are looking at those three veterans to anchor the defense. Plus, I love the fact that Dick LeBeau is back as DC for this group. What I like about them is that nobody is talking about them in the South. Everyone loves the Jags as the sleeper playoff contender. Everyone is forgetting about the Titans. They could use that as motivation and sneak up on everyone earlier than anyone expects.
What I Don't Like: They are stuck in an improved division. Clearly, they are behind the Texans, Colts, and Jaguars. They could be better but can't do better than 2-4 in their own division. You always worry about a young QB taking a step back in Year 2, and that is something that does concern you with Mariota. Outside of a few guys on their front seven, they don't have a great secondary and there is really nothing that stands out just yet on this defense. Are you sold on Head Coach Mike Mularkey? I'm not either. I don't know if he is the right guy to navigate this young team as it tries to turn this franchise around. Their schedule didn't help their cause either. They open with Minnesota and Oakland at home in Weeks 1 and 3 respectively. Then, they travel to Houston and Miami in Weeks 4 and 5. After a three game homestand, they have three out of four games on the road in November: at SD, GD at home, at Indy and at Chi. They finish their last four games with Denver, at KC, at Jax, and Houston. That is a rough stretch of games in there. I see them getting off to a slow start and never getting back on their feet to compete for a wild card spot this year. They are at least a year away from that discussion.
Prediction: 6-10 and last place in the AFC South
AFC West
1) Kansas City Chiefs:
What I Like: In a division that is in flux, they are the most likely to take the title away from the Broncos. Coming off an 11-5 year and their first playoff win since 1993, the Chiefs return a lot of the same team from last year. You can say what you want about Andy Reid and his game management skills, but as far as running a team as a head coach, he does a good job. Just look how his team was 1-5 last year and he helped turn it around and get them to 11-5. You have to like the combination of Alex Smith and Jeremy Maclin and Jamaal Charles comes back from missing most of last year due to a knee injury. Throw in the emergence of TE Travis Kelce and the Chiefs should be able to move the ball and score points once again. Their defense was strong last year and Dontari Poe and Allen Bailey return up front, and Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson continue to compliment that front. CB Marcus Peters played like a star last year as a rookie and FS Eric Berry was terrific and an All-Pro after returning from cancer. The biggest advantage they have from their schedule is the fact that they have three straight home games in Weeks 14,15, and 16. They host Oakland, Tennessee, and Denver on Christmas night in that stretch. Their Week 17 game is at San Diego. They can make a push to the playoffs and the division right there. If there is anyone ready to take Denver's spot atop the AFC West, the Chiefs certainly look like that team.
What I Don't Like: The biggest concern is the fact that Justin Houston have major knee surgery in the offseason. He is starting the season on the PUP list and will be out for the first six games. The Chiefs and their pass rush could be in serious trouble. Tamba Hali is another year older as well, and you have to wonder how much he has left in the tank. Did they hit the ceiling on Alex Smith's ability last year? We all know how Andy Reid can falter in a really big game (See AFC Divisional Game vs New England last year). Will the way they handled the Eric Berry contract situation have an affect on his play this year? As far as the schedule goes, the problem for the Chiefs is their non-division road games. They play at Houston in Week 2, at Pittsburgh in Week 4, at Indy in Week 7, at Carolina in Week 9, and at Atlanta in Week 13. Their road schedule this year will not help their cause to make the playoffs in back-to-back years.
Prediction: 9-7 and winners of the AFC West
2) Oakland Raiders:
What I Like: They have finally seemed to put all the pieces in place to get through and make the playoffs. They have the young and up and coming QB in Derek Carr. They have young talent at WR in Amari Cooper and at RB with Latavius Murray. They have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, which was helped by the addition of OG Kelechi Osemele. On defense, they have a dominant pass rusher in Khalil Mack, free agent pickup Bruce Irvin at LB to add to that pass rush, and newly signed starters in the secondary in CB Sean Smith and FS Reggie Nelson. 1st round pick Karl Joseph is also considered a guy who can come in and start right away. The division is there for the taking with the Broncos in somewhat of a transition since the retirement of Peyton Manning. This the time for them to make that step into the playoffs. Their schedule gives them an interesting section that could help them. From Week 9 (November 6th) to Week 13 (December 4th), they will not have to play a true road game. They host Denver on SNF, Bye, play Houston in Mexico City on MNF, and then host Carolina and Buffalo. That will set them up for their last four games of the season in December. The time is now for the Raiders and they have a very good chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
What I Don't Like: Everyone and I mean EVERYONE is picking the Raiders this season to win the West and make the playoffs. They are the consensus team that all the experts are picking and that worries you because when everyone jumps on a team's bandwagon in the preseason, that could be a recipe for disaster. They are a young team and how they handle the hype will be very interesting. It will not be easy for them. Plus, Jack Del Rio is their Head Coach. If anything could derail their season, then Del Rio's presence on the sidelines could be the reason. You can't trust Del Rio as a head coach. Their schedule is interesting to say the least. The beginning four games will be tricky: at New Orleans, Atlanta, at Tenn, and Baltimore. Their final six games will also be a very difficult stretch for them if they are going to make the playoffs. They host Carolina and Buffalo, and then they go to KC and San Diego, host Indy in Week 16, and travel to Denver in Week 17. The beginning and end of their schedule could sink their ship in 2016.
Prediction: 8-8 and second place in the AFC West
3) San Diego Chargers:
What I Like: I still think that Philip Rivers is a top tier QB, and as long as he is around, he will give the Chargers a chance. They were so banged up last year in key spots that it is hard to see them dealing with those kind of injuries again. To help Rivers, SD brings back Antonio Gates and the emerging Keenan Allen. Danny Woodhead has been a solid player for them, and he totaled almost 1,000 yards rushing and receiving for them last year. If they can get RB Melvin Gordon going, then this offense will be in good shape. The addition of WR Travis Benjamin should help Rivers too. On defense, in free agency they added Brandon Mebane to start at NT and Dwight Lowery to start at FS. They still have Melvin Ingram at OLB and CB Jason Verrett has turned into a really good young player. ILB Denzel Perryman is about as good of a player that no one knows about. There is nothing really tricky or easy about their schedule but if you look at their non-division home games, they are very favorable. Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tennessee, Miami and Tampa Bay all come to San Diego. Those games could all be wins for the Chargers. With the division up in the air, no one has given the Chargers any chance of winning it. Maybe they can sneak under the radar and pull it out.
What I Don't Like: As much as I like Rivers, I don't know if he is still the same player he was a few years ago. He has had to do so much on his own that it looks like it took a toll on him. You wonder how much of this team he can actually put on his back again. I have been saying it for the last two years and I'll say it again: I'm not sold on Mike McCoy as a quality head coach. McCoy should take the blame for a lot of what has happened with this team missing the playoffs the last two years. I think he is a candidate for one of the first coaches to get fired this year. Their offensive line is still a question mark and if they can't protect Rivers, then they are screwed. Also, outside of Keenan Allen and an aging Antonio Gates, does any of their other receiving options really scare you. Then, you have the whole Joey Bosa holdout situation, and you know that is going to really affect Bosa's season and impact once it finally gets done. I also think that the impending vote on the Chargers possibly staying in San Diego or moving to Los Angeles will continue to be a distraction. Bascially, Chargers home games have become road games as fans of the other teams have invaded their stadium.
Prediction: 7-9 and third place in the AFC West
4) Denver Broncos:
What I Like: Even though they lost Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, they settled on a long-term deal with Von Miller, and their #1 defense still features: Miller, Demarcus Ware, Derek Wolfe, Brandon Marshall, Chris Harris, Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, T.J. Ward, and Darian Stewart. They also have key reserves like Shaq Barrett, Vance Walker, and Shane Ray returning and taking on a bigger role this year. Their defense won't be as great as it was last year, but it will still be a very good defense and it will be the backbone of this team. I also like the talent they have on offense with C.J. Anderson, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and the depth of the WR group with guys like Bennie Fowler, Jordan Norwood, Cody Latimer and Jordan Taylor. I love the selection of RB Devontae Booker in the 4th round of the draft. He could end up getting a lot of carries this year. HC Gary Kubiak will figure out a way to move the ball with this group-no matter who the QB is. With Trevor Siemian starting, it is going to be irrelevant because these Broncos are going to play a certain way: Run the ball, play-action pass, play field position, and play great defense. It was a recipe that won them a Super Bowl down the stretch last year, and look for them to do it again.
What I Don't Like: The biggest concern with this team lies in the QB position. I get what the Broncos are trying to do, but the bottom line is that the lack of certainty at this position will cause you to lose games. Trevor Siemian is the not the answer, and it will probably take at least till midseason or late in the season to get Paxton Lynch ready to start. In that case, the Broncos could also be out of it at that point. I think the QB situation will sink this team this year. I also don't like the offensive line situation. You have too many variables with too many young guys that they are relying on. A shaky offensive line with a shaky QB situation is not a recipe for success. Their schedule is also not easy at all this year. They open with two home games but they are hosting Carolina and Indy. Then, they have back-to-back road games at Cincy and Tampa Bay. That will be a rough start to the year for them All three of their division road games are on primetime. They go to San Diego on a Thursday night, at Oakland on SNF, and at KC on Christmas night. Plus, they finish with home to NE in Week 15 (With Tom Brady), at KC, and home against Oakland in Week 17. That will be a very tough way to end the season. You also can't underestimate the loss of Peyton Manning. I know he didn't play well last year and was limited but he still made big enough throws to help win those games in was in last year. You can just lose a guy like Manning and a leader like Manning and expect everything to be okay. Look what happened to the Broncos in 1999 when John Elway retired. Look what happened with the Packers in 2008 when Brett Favre left and Aaron Rodgers took over. I expect the same dropoff with the Broncos now that Manning is retired. The Broncos won't be down for long, but I expect them to take a step back this year and miss the playoffs.
Prediction: 7-9 and last place in the AFC West.
AFC Standings
East
1) NY Jets: 10-6
2) New England: 10-6 *Wild Card
3) Buffalo: 8-8
4) Miami: 7-9
North
1) Pittsburgh: 11-5
2) Baltimore: 10-6
3) Cincinnati: 7-9
4) Cleveland: 3-13
South
1) Indianapolis: 10-6
2) Houston: 8-8
3) Jacksonville: 8-8
4) Tennessee: 6-10
West
1) Kansas City: 9-7
2) Oakland: 8-8
3) San Diego: 7-9
4) Denver: 7-9
AFC Playoff Seeds
1-Pittsburgh
2-Indianapolis
3-NY Jets
4-KC
5-Baltimore
6-New England
AFC Playoffs
Wild Card Weekend:
6-New England over 3-NY Jets: The Pats and the Jets face off in another chapter to their hated rivalry, but this game ends with the Patriots breaking the Jets hearts as New England pulls off the tough road win.
5-Baltimore over 4-Kansas City: The Ravens notch another road playoff victory as they go into Arrowhead and take down the Chiefs to advance to the Divisional Round.
Divisional Round:
1-Pittsburgh over 6-New England: The Steelers outlast the Patriots at Heinz Field in a playoff classic to advance to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2010.
5-Baltimore over 2-Indianapolis: The Ravens head back to another AFC Championship by winning another road playoff game and upending the Colts in Indy.
AFC Championship:
1-Pittsburgh over 5-Baltimore: In a rematch of the 2008 AFC Championship Game, these two AFC North rivals battle it out and the Steelers advance to Super Bowl LI with a hard fought victory, they make their NFL record 9th Super Bowl in franchise history.
Super Bowl LI:
Pittsburgh over Green Bay: In a rematch of Super Bowl XLV, and a game that features Ben Roethlisberger going for his third Super Bowl and Aaron Rodgers looking for his second Super Bowl, the Steelers outlast the Packers and win their 7th Lombardi Trophy.
