A Look At The AFC
September 6 , 2007
| By Chris White
| 
Discuss
I know, I know. I had all these grand plans of providing the most in-depth, comprehensive coverage of the NFL’s premier conference this side of the Mississippi River. Stuff happens.
I found myself immersed in fantasy baseball playoffs (lost), fantasy football drafts (haven’t lost yet), band rehearsals, getting my son ready for school, and starting up the new family business. The next thing I know, we are looking at opening day. Where does the time go?
What the heck, let’s fly off the cuff again and see how this thing might look after week 17.
EAST
New England Patriots (13-3)
At one point this summer, Vegas lines-makers listed the Patriots at an unbelievable 8:5 to win the Super Bowl. Wow! How can you knock it though? They are hungry from last year’s failure to make the trip to Miami, they’ve added a huge vertical angle in the passing game, and Lawrence Maroney looks like he is sitting on a big year. Brady and Belechick, oh yeah they’re pretty solid too.
New York Jets (10-6)
The Jets have a more difficult schedule this year, but should benefit from the sophomore coaching of Eric Mangini. Adding Thomas Jones from Chicago, along with Leon Washington’s scat back running will give Pennington more stability in the pocket, which could lead to a nice season, and healthy one. The defense should also continue to gel.
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Trent Green isn’t the answer, nor is Ronnie Brown. Adding veterans on the defense looked good on paper, but how much can some of those guys have left in the tank, in that South Florida heat to boot? One good shot on Green, and the offense will find themselves in a tailspin, the defense won’t get off the field and will tire. So will Miami’s year.
Buffalo Bills (3-13)
Decent young quarterback in JP Losman, and a nice couple of receivers. The Bills traditionally put a quality defensive product on the field but like Miami, if rookie tailback Marshawn Lynch can’t prove his merit, the defense could be worn out by mid-October.
NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals (13-3)
The Bengals have a difficult early schedule, but I think could find themselves on a nice win streak, and set the bar high for the rest of a very good division. Excellent opening day game vs. Baltimore at home. With one of the game’s best quarterbacks in the NFL, and excellent skill position players in their prime, Cincinnati will once again be able to score with anyone. Last year they tried to focus on improving a lousy defense and couldn’t. With decent headway this year, this is a team capable of a serious Super Bowl run if they can stay out of jail long enough.
Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
Another squad with a tough schedule (four games vs. Cincy and Pitt, three West Coast trips as well), they put a lot of eggs in the basket of Willis McGahee. The guy has talent, I question his character. Character has never been high on the Ravens’ morals list though, so he should fit right in. Not wild about the passing game, and McNair is no gimmie to complete a healthy season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
I think Roethlisberger will rebound well this year. He had a ton of things to overcome last year, and was never able to get into gear. Willie Parker in 2006 showed us he has the stuff to be a marquee NFL back, and the receivers are solid. I say as Troy Polamalu goes, so does the Pittsburgh defense. He appears healthy, and looks like he has found a new hair conditioner too. It looks very shiny with lots of body.
Cleveland Browns (1-15)
I have them with one victory, beating Houston at home. What more can you say?
SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
What more can you say? A near perfect offensive unit, with a defense that completely peaked at the right time in last year’s playoffs. I don’t expect any letdown with this team, who look to expand off last’s year’s title. Perhaps they can do better then just 4-4 on the road, the only knock from the Super Bowl season.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
I set this record before the Jaguars let Byron Leftwich go. While they probably don’t lose much with David Garrard calling the shots, I think we’ve seen his upside and it may not be playoff caliber. A nice running game, average receivers at best, coupled with an always-solid defense. These guys play hard every week, and should be among the AFC’s better defensive units once again.
Tennessee Titans (5-11)
I’m not 100% sold on Vince Young. I like what I’ve read about him in the leadership category, and you can’t question his heart. He’s going to have to do a lot on his own this year again, with teams now better prepared for his game. A crummy ground attack, and lousy receivers.
Houston Texans (4-12)
Here’s a team I could be off with. They’ve added a couple of veterans on the offense, and the defense is young and talented. A lot depends on Matt Schaub this year in his first full season, and Ahman Green who is running short on time. I think both variables too much to overcome.
WEST
San Diego Chargers (12-4)
Norv Turner is a nice offensive coordinator. He is not a top flight NFL head coach however. The Chargers GM did himself, and his team no favors by butting heads with Marty Shottenheimer last year. It was a pair of huge egos, which ruined the Dallas Cowboys magnificent run in the early 1990’s, with Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson unable to co-exist. The good news for Charger fans is a very talented offense, and a solid defense to match. They are a playoff certainty, perhaps in spite of Turner not because of him.
Denver Broncos (10-6)
Jay Cutler looked very respectable in Denver’s last four games last year, and Jevon Walker is now two season’s removed from the knee injury. If Mike Shanahan can apply his running back by committee once again, Denver should put up some offense. With their solid home field advantage, they are a solid pick to be in the playoff hunt right down to the last week of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)
Did anyone catch the HBO Series on the Chiefs? I thought it was well done, and it gave you a good feel for KC this year. As much as I like Herm Edwards as a dude, he plays the game too conservatively. With an offense outside of Larry Johnson short on talent, I don’t see the Chiefs mustering up a lot of offense this year, and the defense is average at best.
Oakland Raiders (6-10)
Hey, they are getting better! Lamont Jordan is the key this season. If he can provide 12-14 hundred yards, the offense has a chance to shorten games for the defense, a unit that played very well in 2006 and was overtaxed. How bad can Dante Culpepper be if he can’t crack this lineup? How much did Randy Moss save his ass in Minnesota?
2007 AFC Playoffs Seedings
1. New England
2. Indianapolis
3. Cincinnati
4. San Diego
5. Jets
6. Broncos
I’ll be back with my week one selections, and perhaps even a ‘way too early’ playoff prediction column in the next day or so. Good luck to everyone still live in baseball, and looking forward to the fruits of a successful NFL game-picking season.
For a look at Chris White's NFC Preview check it out here.
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