AFC South

It’s been a little while since I’ve made a post, sorry to both of my valued readers. Here’s the AFC South division in a nutshell, as I see it…

The Houston Texans have taken the division twice in a row now, but they are missing a couple key ingredients. Matt Schaub is a serviceable starter, but no superstar. Andre Johnson is not getting any younger, and his stat line is not going to get any better. Gary Kubiak has to depend on ever-reliable Arian Foster, as well as newly drafted DeAndre Hopkins to boost an offense in need of an injection. On defense, they boast one of the best Defensive linemen in JJ Watt, and Top-5 Linebacker Brian Cushing, while adding Ed Reed to a secondary that probably could have held the fort without him. Leadership from Reed will be key for re-claiming a division that seems bent on slipping from their grasp, and here’s why… (10/11 wins this season, SECOND in the AFC South).

Two words: Andrew Luck. This kid can ball, and he’s not afraid to take a beating while doing it. His offensive line was atrocious last year, and he still broke records. Top 100 NFL Rankings be damned, Luck will be regarded as the best in his draft class when all is said and done. Equipped with oft-injured, always-tough Ahmad Bradshaw in the backfield, pass-blocking becomes almost more important than running the ball from the Running Back position. Call me a bandwagoner, but the ChuckStrong campaign didn’t end after last season’s disappointing playoff exit. It’s going to end with a Super Bowl, if not this year, then within three. Mark my words. (12 wins, AFC South division winners).

Jacksonville Jaguars… Division basement. Not sure what else you can claim with Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne as your quarterback competition. Justin Blackmon could develop into a legitimate NFL Starter, but he has to use his brains off the field, and use his feet on the field to run a better route tree. Oh, and he needs to have someone to pass him the ball. Maurice Jones-Drew can hide behind a rebuilt offensive line, but he can only be expected to do so much coming off a wash of a season with a serious foot injury. (3-5 Wins this season.. Fighting for the basement).

And the competition for the division basement will come from the Tennessee Titans. Jake Locker has been touted as a nice-guy athlete that everybody in the Titans building is rooting for. While showing more potential than fellow first-round pick Blaine Gabbert, Locker has also entered the “prove-it” year. Either he is the answer or he isn’t, regardless of how much everybody likes him. Durability has hampered his progress, but with a full offseason under his belt and tutoring over the past couple seasons from the likes of Matt Hasselbeck, Locker still has a shot to make himself the face of the franchise. Odds are against it, but myself and everyone else are rooting for him to succeed. (5-7 wins this season… Third in the division).

AFC East

Back again for another edition of “Who’s gonna win this division?” Up now is the AFC East, which traditionally has not been too hard to guess. Historically, Tom Brady runs the show here with his merry band of Patriots, but they seem to be dropping like flies around him. Gronkowski seems to be pretty beat up, with back and forearm surgeries coming in droves, Wes Welker left town for Blue-and-orange pastures, and Aaron Hernandez has been linked to a homicide investigation. Even if the Pats Tight End has nothing to do with it, this could still serve as a distraction (Even worse than that guy they all call Tebow). The New England Patriots are no lock for another division crown, and call me crazy, but here’s why…

Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins are on the rise. Lamar Miller is getting rave reviews out of OTA’s, Mike Wallace is, well, Mike Wallace, Cameron Wake is the real deal in terms of pass-rush threats, and GM Jeff Ireland has spared no expense on this year’s version of the ‘Fins. Ellerbe should contribute immediately, but I have some concerns about his ability in coverage. If this team can put it all together, it could pose the first significant threat since 2008, when Brady went down in the first game.

The Bills are showing signs of improvement, but until first-year head coach Doug Marrone learns from his predecessor’s mistakes, I have zero faith in them as a playoff team. CJ Spiller is the real deal: KEEP HIM ON THE FIELD! The quarterback situation is far from settled, so known quantities on offense become key to newcoming coaching staff.

As for the Jets… They’ll win the Super Bowl this year, Right Rex Ryan? (Oh, and go Mark Sanchez!).

AFC North

Here lies the current World Champions, the Baltimore Ravens. No matter the talent level on any of the other AFC North rosters, it begins and ends with the Champs. Whether or not a repeat is in the cards is a different story entirely. Ray Lewis is gone, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Anquan Boldin… The likelihood of a Super Bowl repeat this day in age is remote to start, but subtract this many proven vets and young role players, and repeating their Lombardi run seems downright impossible.
Joe Flacco`s contract was well earned, considering he bet on himself to win the Superbowl, but I think the Ravens braintrust will regret such a huge payday for what has essentially become a two-trick pony. Ray Rice remains as dangerous as ever, (4th and 27 conversions), Jacoby Jones can run up the sidelines catching bombs, and Dennis Pitta is a solid up-and-coming player, but to believe this roster will repeat last year`s magical Super Bowl run borders on insanity. This team is one Ray Rice injury from crumbling. (Predicting 7-9 wins this season).

The true contenders this year in the AFC North probably have not been labelled as such in decades, (Sure they’ve made playoffs the past two years, but did anyone take them seriously?) but the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be brewing something special. I know, I know, the Bungles have perenially let down their fanbase, but hear me out. A.J. Green`s claims that he is not èlite`yet are hilarious. Imagine Megatron telling someone that Titus Young is a better football player. Yes, that funny. Combine Green`s talents with the chemistry developed with Andy Dalton, coming off the heels of a solid 2013 Draft , Cincy appears ready to make a deep playoff run this year. (Predicting 10-12 wins this season).

Pittsburgh looks primed for a bounce-back season, right? Addition by subtraction with Mendenhall’s case, drafting a bruiser in La’Veon Bell, but I’m not convinced. Big Ben is not getting younger, and his ability to take punishment in the pocket while standing tall might be working against him. He is tough to bring down, but mounting pressure’s and near-sacks will take a toll on the Quarterback’s body and mind too. For this team to succeed, it needs Roethlisberger on the field. His improv-style football play is not conducive to these goals. As such, I predict another wash of a season, and maybe even the division basement for a team many regard as one of the best year-in and year-out. (8 wins this season, no playoffs. Sorry Steeler fans).

Which leaves me the Cleveland Browns. A hard team to pin down if there ever was one… Brandon Weeden does not appear to be as poor as his critics state. He’s calm and composed under pressure, possesses great touch on the deep ball, and most importantly, fits very well into the system Norv Turner is sure to implement in his first year as Offensive Coordinator. If Paul Kruger can earn his $40 Million dollar contract as a designated pass rusher, and Trent Richardson can continue to build on a rookie season hampered by injuries, this is one perennial basement dweller that could put surprise the league. I will go out on a limb and predict Second in the division, behind the Bengals and in front of the Ravens and Steelers. Who doesn’t love a good controversy?

Hit me with your comments people, I’m dying to know what you think of this division prediction specifically.

Thanks
Chris

AFC West

The AFC West was hardly up for grabs last season. Peyton Manning’s re-emergence in Denver sealed up the West before anybody actually knew what he was capable of Post-neck surgeries. This year appears to be a bit more of a crapshoot, but I predict another AFC West title for the Broncos.

The offseason addition of Wes Welker bolsters an already scary offense by giving Peyton a shifty dump-off target in case Primary receivers Decker and Thomas are covered downfield. Drafting Montee Ball is another welcome addition to a crew already poised for big things in 2013. (11-14 wins predicted this season).

Oakland is clearly in a rebuilding phase. General Manager Reggie McKenzie has laid waste to the roster, cutting the salary cap fat in preparation for next year, his first real opportunity to build the team in his own vision. Darren McFadden is injury-prone, and Matt Flynn appears to be competing yet again with another rookie signal-caller. Sure, he is the supposed day-one starter, but if he could not beat out rookie third-rounder Russell Wilson last year with Seattle, (Who was a detriment to the offense earlier in the season), how long can he hold off Tyler Wilson? I’m afraid Flynn has already maximized his potential, even with limited exposure to playing time (two starts in Green Bay). (3-5 wins predicted this season).

Andy Reid has imported the very definition of mediocre quarterback play with Alex Smith. Does he not realize there was a reason Smith rode the pine behind Colin Kaepernick? Kansas City’s roster is no-where near the talent level of the San Francisco 49ers, and without a dominant supporting cast, Alex Smith has struggled mightily (Look back at his first three or four years in the league and argue). (6-9 wins predicted for this season).

Lastly comes Denver’s biggest challenge to the AFC West crown. The San Diego Chargers look like this biggest crux of the entire division, with an innovative Head Coach in Mike McCoy, a Pro-bowl talent quarterback in Phillip Rivers, and a better than advertised defense led by safety Eric Weddle, who will have to play lights out twice a year in order to have a chance to beat Denver for the title. If Ryan Matthews manages to stay healthy, this team has a chance to challenge for the division crown or wild-card spot come January. (8-10 wins predicted this season).

 

The Inaugural Post…

Ladies and gentlement welcome…

This is my first-ever entry or attempt at a Football blog. My name is Chris and I’m a Canadian living in Kingston, Ontario. My literary skills may not blow you away, but check back here often for updates on MY take of current NFL news, training camps, Pre-season, in-season and Post-season predictions.

In any case, Happy Quarterback-hunting Pass Rushers and Head Hunters, it’s time to get this show started with some Division Championship predictions.

Chris