Are YOU Ready? (AFC version)

Yeah, I know.....Coors Light isn't my drink of choice either.

With the NFL Season ONE day away......here is my AFC NFL Preview.....(NFC later in week)

AFC EAST:

New England Patriots - Clearly the class of the division, and maybe the league. Revamped receiving core will only help the offense which was still solid enough to make it to the AFC Championship game last year. And don't forget about the signing of Adalius Thomas on defense. Injuries and HGH aside, this team still has the talent and the coaching. 13-3

New York Jets - Surprised alot of people last season, but has a MUCH more difficult schedule this year. Jonathan Vilma is a stud on defense, and Thomas Jones will help the running game. But this team will only go as far as Chad Pennington can throw the ball (about 20 yards to be exact). 8-8

Buffalo Bills - Made alot of changes, losing Nate Clements, Takeo Spikes, Willis McGahee, etc. J.P Losman made nice strides towards the end of the season, and Lee Evans is one of the best WR's you've never heard of. But I think they lost too much on defense, and are starting a rookie running back in Marshawn Lynch that could mean theyre still a couple years away. 7-9

Miami Dolphins - New coach, new quarterback, same bad team. The defense is the lone bright spot, and word has it that Ronnie Brown may lose some of his carries this year to Jessie Chatman. 5-11

AFC North:

Baltimore Ravens - Got rid of Jamal Lewis, and brought in Willis McGahee. Can Steve McNair enough plays on offense? Defense is the best in AFC and maybe the league. 11-5

Cincinnati Bengals - Amazingly, we have forgotten how many guys got arrested a year ago from this team because of Pacman and Vick. Palmer, Chad, Rudi are one of the best big 3 in the game. Defense must get more consistent. Tough schedule to start the season. 9-7

Pittsburgh Steelers - Should bounce back from their mediocre season last year. Big Ben looks better, Parker is a good running back, defense always stingy. Ends the year with a tough stretch of games. 9-7

Cleveland Browns - Poor Romeo Crennel. Not a very good defense, offense has some nice young players in Winslow and Braylon Edwards. Doing the right thing by saving Brady Quinn until the schedule gets easier. 4-12

AFC South:

Indianapolis Colts - Reigning Super Bowl Champs lost a lot of players from last year's team. Offense still obviously explosive and we'll see how Peyton does now that he has won the big one. Love Joseph Addai, defense still has lots of holes. Division isn't very good. 11-5

Jacksonville Jaguars - Made a big switch at QB right before the season begins. If the team is still in shock over it, they might struggle at first, and we'll see how David Garrard does over a full season. Maurice Jones-Drew is exciting to watch at RB and the defense is always good. 9-7

Houston Texans - Matt Schaub gets his chance to be the starter, and Ahman Green is a nice addition at running back. Andre Johnson is a monster WR and led the league in catches last year (did you know that?). Defense is still young, but improving. They may take some strides this year towards respectability. 6-10

Tennessee Titans - Lost their biggest playmaker on defense, and didn't sign a playmaker to give Vince Young on offense. This season will prove to be a big test for Vince to see how he can hold things together as the team should struggle. 5-11

AFC WEST:

San Diego Chargers - Norv Turner may not be the answer to Marty-ball and get this team over the hump. They do have the most talent offensively and defensively besides probably the Pats. Tomlinson and Gates class at their positions, Shawn Merriman says he won't dance this year.....we'll see. 12-4

Denver Broncos - Gotta like Travis Henry if he stays healthy at RB, and the additions of Dre Bly and Simeon Rice to the defense. Jay Cutler got his feet wet last year and did ok. Time to take a bigger step this season. Champ Bailey is by far the best cornerback in the game. 11-5

Kansas City Chiefs - Damon Huard looks to rekindle the magic that he discovered last year at quarterback. Tony Gonzalez IS the only option he has to throw to though, and Coach Herm Edwards says Larry Johnson won't get 416 carries this year. He might have to, so he can keep that shaky defense off the field. 8-8

Oakland Raiders - Leave it to the Raiders to have the only 1st round pick to be unsigned (and also 1st overall). Should have drafted Calvin Johnson to help out Daunte Culpepper. Defense isn't bad, but their offense was, is, and will be, putrid. Somehow still have a hard schedule, but it just might seem that way because they stink. 3-13

Playoffs: NE, SD byes....Balt over Denver, Indy over Cincy......NE over Indy, Balt over SD
AFC Championship - NE over Balt


(NFC soon to come)