NFL 2014

AFC Division Predictions

AFC East

The Patriots have been the class of the AFC East division over the last decade led by the Hall of Fame duo Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The Patriots have a revamped defense featuring two blanket corners in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner as well as the return of ex-Patriot Patrick Chung. The offense should be more lethal with a healthy Rob Gronkowski and a year of experience with the wideouts. The Jets, Dolphins, and Bills each made offseason headlines in the draft or free agency. The Jets brought in hard hitting safety Calvin Pryor and Eric Decker as the top pass catcher. The Dolphins stabilized their offensive line with Ja'Wuan James and Billy Turner. Also, they got Ryan Tannehill another weapon in Jarvis Landry. The Bills jumped to the four spot in the draft to select the dynamic receiver Sammy Watkins. In reality, these three teams will be fighting for second in the division and a possible shot as a wild card team. They will give New England problems, but the Patriots are head and shoulders above these teams.

AFC North

The AFC North might be the hardest division to predict because every team is in flux. The Cincinnati Bengals, on paper, are expected to be a Super Bowl contender, but they lost their offensive and defensive coordinators. In addition, they have a quarterback surrounded by a barrage of playmakers that seems to go brain dead in pressure situations. If you do not believe me, watch his last three playoff games. Andy Dalton is still young and with the new contract he received the Bengals seem to be clear-minded despite his Casper-like playoff performances. The Ravens and Steelers struggled with their identities a year ago. This offseason they both seem committed to becoming tougher and running the ball effectively. Then there is the Cleveland Browns. They were the only team to make offseason headlines from this division as they drafted Johnny Manziel. There is a flip side to those headlines as Josh Gordon forced them to tamper any playoff expectations they were beginning to garner. Each of these teams has a strong defense so the team with a consistent offense will be key in this division race. I will go with Baltimore over Cincinnati by default only because of a re-energized run game led by Ray Rice.

AFC South

The Tennessee Titans will hope the arrival of Ken Whisenhunt will help Jake Locker and the offense progress. The defense will take a hit as Alterraun Verner left town for Tampa Bay. The Titans will be an 8-8 as they will struggle with finding an identity under their new coach. The Jacksonville Jaguars will win this division only if 10 teams on their schedule forfeit for some reason. Even 10 wins might not be enough for this team because well it is the Jaguars. They will finish last in this division and I know that is shocking. Back to reality, the Texans and Colts are the teams expected to go neck and neck for this division title. Houston is coming off a two-win season that ended on a 14-game skid. They drafted Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite of JJ Watt and brought in Bill O'Brien as the head coach. O'Brien is expected to get Houston back to the playoffs, but he will need a quarterback first. The team is currently hosting a three-way battle between Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, and rookie Tom Savage. After producing laying an egg offensively, it is safe to say this battle is more like a stalemate. Many experts believe Fitzpatrick will be the starter because of his experience. The Colts will be a healthy bunch this season as they will get Reggie Wayne, Vick Ballard, and Dwayne Allen back on the field. Their defense is suspect, but with Andrew Luck under center he can help mitigate any problems on the other side of the ball. My prediction is that the Colts will barely win 10 games and take this division.

AFC West

If this division is anything like a year ago, this will be one of the best division's in the NFL. The Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers all made it to the postseason and almost made it to the second playoff weekend. A Jamaal Charles injury changed that scenario. Denver will be expected to win this division as they have been labeled "A Team on a Mission". Demarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib will be expected to provide an edge to a defense that lacked toughness a year ago. On offense, Eric Decker is gone, but Emmanuel Sanders is no slouch at receiver. Finally, the diagnosis given to Pat Bowlen will only add to a fire the Broncos are itching to start. However, San Diego and Kansas City will not lay down as both teams either have a top 10 offense or defense. Philip Rivers will look to continue his renaissance and try to win a Super Bowl. He has at least six or seven playmakers on offense. The Chiefs will be out to prove that last season was no fluke. They looked like Super Bowl contenders until they flamed out in the second half down in Lucas Oil Stadium. The Oakland Raiders will be a team to reckon with as they signed veterans James Jones, Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley and Matt Schaub. They too have a chance to win eight or nine games. The Broncos will more than likely win his division, but the Chargers and Chiefs will be resilient.