AFC Preview/Predictions - Ravens to the SB?

AFC EAST:

(1) New York Jets: 10-6

• The Jets will be an improved team with a more seasoned Mark Sanchez in year 2. The return of Revis along with the addition of Kyle Wilson keeps the Jets defense well stocked.

(2) Miami Dolphins: 9-7

• The dolphins will be improved with the progression of Chad Henne & the addition of Brandon Marshall. Still count on the fins to be a run heavy team.

(3) New England Patriots: 9-7

• A difficult schedule combined with a depleted defense will hinder a playoff appearance for the Pats. The Pats will be a stronger team in the 2nd half of the season as Welker fully returns from injury and the defense develops more cohesion.

(4) Buffalo Bills: 6-10

• The Bills will actually play better than their 6-10 record will indicate. Trent Edwards will be improved, however he still lacks a true #1 wide receiver.

AFC WEST:

(1) San Diego Chargers: 11-5

• The Chargers open up with an extremely friendly schedule: @KC, vs. Jags, @Seattle, vs. Cards, @Oakland, @Rams. I expect the Chargers to open up 6-0. Look for rookie RB Ryan Matthews to make himself a household name, especially with fantasy football owners this fall.

(2) Oakland Raiders: 7-9

• The Raiders made one of the biggest off-season acquisitions by acquiring QB Jason Campbell from the Redskins. This move will pay off dividends immediately on the field however they will pay for their poor drafting the past decade. Look for WR Louis Murphy out of Florida to outplay former 1st round pick Darius Heyward-Bey.

(3) Denver Broncos: 7-9

• The Broncos offense should be improved this season with the progression of the injury prone Knowshon Moreno and possible emergence of Eddie Royal in the slot. However, the Broncos D will have an extremely difficult time stopping the run and pass without the injured Elvis Dumervil.

(4) Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10

• Last season, the Chiefs were one of the youngest teams in the league. Even though the record won't indicate it, the Chiefs should be an improved team with the addition of workhorse Thomas Jones.

AFC North:

(1) Baltimore Ravens: 11-5

• Sometimes, the rich just get richer. The Ravens traded for star WR Anquan Boldin in the off-season and added WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh for $800k. Housh is so talented that even with miserable QB play for the Seattle last year, he still managed to have 79 catches for 911 yards.

(2) Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7

• Carson Palmer and moreover, the Cincinnati Bengals, will benefit from the addition of T.O. However, the bengals face an extremely challenging schedule with very few gimmes

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-9

• Coach Mike Tomlin will have his work cut out for him especially early in the season playing without QB Ben Roethlisberger.

(4) Cleveland Browns: 4-12

• Lameduck coach, Eric Mangini, will lead the hapless Browns to another dismal record. GM Holmgren will fire Mangini perhaps even before the off-season and may try lure offensive guru, Jon Gruden away from ESPN.

AFC SOUTH:

(1) Indianapolis Colts: 11-5

• Peyton Manning will continue to torment opposing teams defenses. Reggie Wayne will take another step back, but Pierre Garcon will continue to progress under the tutelage of Manning and Wayne. Anthony Gonzalez will finally blossom in the slot. Donald Brown will begin to take a portion of the carries away from Joseph Addai.

(2) Houston Texans: 9-7

• The prolific Texans offense will finally enable Gary Kubiak's team to a record above .500. Matt Schaub will continue to blossom into an upper echelon quaterback. Arian Foster will prove to the workhorse back with Slaton serving as a the 3rd down back. The defense, albeit improved, will prove to be the downfall for the Texans.

(3) Tennessee Titans: 8-8

• Chris Johnson will help keep the Titans in most games but Vince Young will make too many big mistakes for the Titans to take the next step into the playoffs. Albert Haynesworth will be traded to the Titans at some point in the season.

(4) Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-10

• Jones-Drew will help carry the Jaguars but unfortunately they still lack any other offensive punch and will have major difficulty moving the ball on most teams.

AFC PLAYOFFS:

Wildcard Round:

(6) Houston Texans @ (3) San Diego Chargers

(5) Dolphins @ (4) New York Jets

Divisional Round:

(6) Houston Texans @ (1) Baltimore Ravens

(4) New York Jets @ (2) Indianapolis Colts

AFC Championship:

(2) Indianapolis Colts @ (1) Baltimore Ravens

AFC Champion: Baltimore Ravens

AFC AWARDS

• AFC MVP - Peyton Manning
• AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year - Ryan Matthews
• AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year - Eric Berry
• AFC Coach of the Year - John Harbaugh

The Bottom Line:

• The Ravens will be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl for the first time since their last championship in 2000. The Ravens have some injuries on defense but their new and improved passing offense will complement budding superstar Ray Rice enabling them to reach the big game. Joe Flacco will have a 2:1 QB to INT ratio and safety Ed Reed will return to pre-injury form by the latter half of the season.