NFL 2008: AFC Predictions

As I did with the NFC last week, I will now preview the AFC for the 2008 NFL season. Of course the biggest question addressed is how will the Steelers fare this year.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are essentially the AFC’s version of the Chicago Bears. Great defense, decent offense, absolutely no quarterback. I feel like the Ravens want Troy Smith to become the starter, but he is not ready at this point in his career. If it is a competition between Smith and rookie Flacco all season, the Ravens really have no chance of winning the division.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are certainly a contender for number one on the list of embarrassments in the NFL. The release and sign (a new tactic employed by the Bengals) of Chris Henry is laughable. Chad Johnson and Rudi Johnson are both injured, and Carson Palmer just had his nose broken. They will compete with the other non-Steeler teams for worst in the AFC.

Cleveland Browns

This is probably where I differ from many analysts this year. I see the Browns falling flat on their face this year. There will be no playoff hopes, no surprisingly consistent offense, and no chance in the world of winning the division. Remember the 2006 Saints?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Everything I have said up to this point may sound like hometown blindness, and I will readily admit there could be a dash of that sprinkled into the mix. However both as a Steeler fan and as objective a football fan as I can be, I see the Steelers winning the division with no challenger at all. This is not because the Steelers are going to be that good, but because the three other teams in our division are that bad.

The Steelers have the toughest schedule in the league this year, so do not think my prediction for the year of 10 wins is disrespectful. We will drop one or two to playing down to our division, and other than that compete at a high level. It all depends on the offensive line, which last season was awful. It will still be awful this year because Pittsburgh did not do that much to address that need.

Still I believe with Roethlisberger and the two-headed rushing attack of Parker and Mendenhall the Steelers will perform admirably given their extremely difficult schedule. Right now Roethlisberger is the third best quarterback in the league behind Brady and Peyton Manning. Playing at his level with an offensive line that bad is simply incredible. I do not have an official stat, but he must have led all QBs in shed tackles last year. On that note I close out this extended Steelers section and continue with the rest of the AFC.

AFC North Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South

Houston Texans

Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson is one of the few things Texans fans have to look forward to this season. Although they also have some talent on the defensive side of the ball with Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. Unfortunately for the ever-so-slowly improving Texans, they play in a division with Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Jacksonville. Maybe next year.

Indianapolis Colts

Injuries are mounting seemingly every day for the Colts. I personally think Peyton’s knee is in worse shape than the Colts are letting on, but regardless a few games into the year he will return to being an elite quarterback. Jeff Saturday is out for the first six games, and as the Giants demonstrated in a little game I like to call the Superbowl the pass-rush typically stops QBs from being elite. Questions about Harrison’s health are also important. I see the Colts in the playoffs, but not winning their division.

Jacksonville Jaguars

I thought it was a mistake to go with David Garrard last season, but I could not have been more wrong. Garrard was the definition of consistent at QB, and to be honest with their rushing duo all he needs to do is manage. Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor will be the beasts they were last year, and that defense should propel Jacksonville even further atop the AFC. I think the Jags are primed for a great year…unfortunately for them (and the Rays, Marlins, and Dolphins) no one in Florida cares about sports.

Tennessee Titans

Vince Young was disappointing last season but fear not: this year he is not on the cover of Madden. I would recommend that the Titans get him some receivers but would it really matter? He is about as accurate as Dick Cheney with a hunting license. I think the Titans are starting to get something going, but it is not happening this year.

AFC South Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

The Bills were in the hunt for the final AFC wildcard spot last season, but were not able to close the deal. I think this is a team on the rise, and they could make another stride this year. Friends of mine know of my man-crush on running back Marshawn Lynch because of his powerful rushing skills. I think Trent Edwards is going to develop into a solid quarterback, and this year he takes another step in that direction. The Bills will be improved from last season as they build towards being a true contender in the AFC.

Miami Dolphins

After going 1-15, there really is nowhere to go but up. Parcells has already installed half the Cowboys roster in Miami, so they will improve. However it is hard to see them winning more than a handful of games. They traded away pretty much every good player they had (Chambers, Taylor) and it is going to be a long while before they can even compete again.

New England Patriots

18-1 might be the best worst record in sports history…if that statement even approached sense. The Patriots have a lot of issues right now. Several players left post-Superbowl, and the veteran dinosaurs who stayed around are a year older. The Patriots best player in the defensive backfield left for Philly (Samuel) and their rush defense was a joke last season (and will be this season). The Patriots benefit from the easiest schedule in the league this year, but I still see them falling far from their achievements last season. 10 wins. You heard it here first.

New York Jets

The Jets added a ton of free agents this off-season, including several new offensive linemen. Oh, and they picked up a guy named Brett Favre. Favre will definitely help the club but unfortunately has the Madden curse working against him. The Jets will probably win about 8 games, but that is a big step from last year.

AFC East Winner: New England Patriots

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Brandon Marshall just got his suspension reduced to one game, so him missing time should not be an issue this season. That bodes well for the Broncos and for my fantasy team. You know that there is going to be a 1000 yard rusher from the backfield, but who is it going to be? Selvin Young? Travis Henry? The towel boy? It is honestly anyone’s guess. The Broncos have a shot to sneak into the playoffs, but only if Cutler improves and Shanahan coaches not as insanely as last season.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are in a completely rebuilding phase. If the O-line can play decently than Larry Johnson will be a stud, but of course QB Brodie Croyle will have to keep the defense honest. Along with Lynch, I suppose my other non-Steeler man crush list also contains receiver Dwayne Bowe. Calvin Johnson got all the hype, but Bowe outperformed him last season. I think CJ will close the gap eventually, but for Bowe to perform with the QB carousel was very impressive.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are easily the most dysfunctional franchise in the league right now. However, they seem to be assembling a ton of weapons, and have had a solid pass defense the last few years. Darren McFadden is not the next Adrian Peterson, but he could end up performing like we all thought Reggie Bush would. He has the elusive dancing, but also has a power running game. Combine that with Justin Fargas and a hopefully improving and now holdout-free JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders should improve…but still get nowhere.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are one of the front-runners for Superbowl contention right out of the gate. LT is going to get his, but I have several concerns. For one, I do not think highly of Philip Rivers. Secondly, I do not think highly of their receiving core outside of Antonio Gates (barely should be considered a tight end). I also think Merriman’s decision to play through injury is beyond foolish and will only hurt the team long-term. Still, I have to give them the edge as one of the top contenders this year.

AFC West Winner: San Diego Chargers

Wildcard Winners and Summary

In short I have the division winners as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, and the San Diego Chargers. As for the wildcard I see the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills making it into the postseason.

As I mentioned in the NFC preview, I am essentially taking uneducated guesses at this point. Once I see a few games of the regular season I will have an idea if these picks make any sense or not.

I hope that you enjoyed the AFC preview even more than the heavily commented and universally loved NFC preview. Actually I know you enjoyed it more. As my roommate put it, “Dude, who cares about the NFC?”