So here's how I think the season is likely to go in terms of the standings. I don't do W-L or seedings because I don't think I can accurately predict the number of wins a team is likely to get however I do predict the likely playoff teams. AFC East Patriots (Div) Bills Jets Dolphins AFC North Steelers (Div) Bengals (WC) Ravens Browns AFC South Colts (Div) Titans (WC) Jaguars Texans AFC West Chargers (Div) Broncos Raiders Chiefs Surprises: Titans, Bills, Bengals Disappointments: Chiefs, Ravens, Jets Likely big stories this year in the AFC: 1. The Patriots lack of dominance despite loading up on free agents. The Pats are probably headed for 11-5 and a divisional round loss. Predictable when you realize how far off their beaten track they went with the trades for the wide receivers. Past New England Super Bowl teams followed the very sound rule of: "wide receivers? we don't need no stinking wide receivers." This year they got scared because of the loss to the Colts last year and imported Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Oops. 2. The Titans return to the upper echelons of the AFC. Vince Young is the real deal and he's going to make people forget about Michael Vick in a country minute, which is good for the Titans and very good for the NFL. I expect Jeff Fisher and Young to lead the Titans back to the playoffs in a blessed season. 3. The beginning of the end for the Ray Lewis defensive dynasty in Baltimore. Also the beginning of the end for the Billick era. The Ravens have been quietly aging with ups and downs for 3 years now. This year they'll drop back to 8-8 and by next season Billick will be on the way out. He's had a very good run and the Ravens have done well for Baltimore. Time to rebuild.
If the Titans & Bengals are the main competition for the WC spots, I feel better about the Jets chances. I think the Bengals are the most overrated team in the league, outside of Palmer & the 2 Wrs, they are a below average team with very little depth on O and a horrible D & thats forgetting what a horribly undisciplined team they are. Titans are going to need Vince Young to be MVP of the league the whole year to stay in contention, I'd be surprised if they win more than 8 games this year.
If their Defense can play like they did against the Ravens against good offensive teams, the Bengals will take the division. I'd give the WC to the Broncos and Jets.
