By Lourence Alturino
Image from PFF
The biggest NFL season yet is upon us. A 17th game has been added to the schedule this year and that is a game changer. With every NFL season, there are numerous questions that will be answered. Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers repeat as Super Bowl Champions? Which players improve or have a bad season? Which rookies will impress the most? Which teams make the playoffs and who will win the Lombardi trophy? Lets go over division by division and predict the final records for each AFC team.
* = Playoff Clinch
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: 14-3*
Miami Dolphins: 10-7*
New England Patriots: 7-10
New York Jets: 4-13
Bills - Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are one of the best QB/WR duos in the league. Allen improved tremendously last season, putting on amazing numbers with 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns. Their defense is solid as well being led by Tre'Davious White and Micah Hyde. I also predict Josh Allen wins MVP with another impressive season.
Dolphins - Their season all depends on the play of Tua Tagovailoa. Tua didn't have the most impressive season last year, but he can get better this year. With the additions of Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller, he has a pretty good collection of weapons to throw to. Myles Gaskin could also be a very good halfback this year if given the right amount of touches. If Xavien Howard had left this offseason, their defense would've been hurt extremely. Luckily Howard stayed and Miami still has Byron Jones and Jason McCourty in their secondary.
Patriots - Is Mac Jones really the guy? I do not like Jones as a player, but the Patriots definitely do because he fits their system perfectly. I don't necessarily think Mac is going to have an impressive season, but he will do enough to win some games. Stephon Gilmore's injury will cost them several games early on. Though, New England's defense will still be great with the addition of Matthew Judon and the return of Dont'a Hightower.
Jets - Zach Wilson is not the answer. Wilson has the basic attributes to be a good quarterback, but I don't think he will make a major impact in his first season. Their defense should make strides with Robert Saleh as the head coach, but with tons of injuries especially to Carl Lawson, their defense might not be as good.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans: 10-7*
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-9
Indianapolis Colts: 6-11
Houston Texans: 2-15
Titans - This offense looks incredible. The Titans offense have potential to be the best in the entire league this year. Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, AJ Brown, and Julio Jones. STACKED. Though, their defense still needs to step up in order for this team to succeed.
Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence will have a record-breaking season and that will contribute to a ton of Jacksonville victories. Lawrence will break the rookie TD passing record. As good as I think the former Clemson QB will be this season, their offensive line and defense are still worrisome. Also, is Urban Meyer good enough to be an NFL coach?
Colts - Carson Wentz is not good enough to lead this team. Wentz is just not a good quarterback, simple as that. Even worse, TY Hilton seems to be out for several weeks. Jonathan Taylor should lead this offense to tons of TDs, but their consistent use of Nyheim Hines and Marlon Mack, Taylor could lose a bunch of touches. The Indianapolis defense does look like a top 10 defense, which will be enough to gain them some wins.
Texans - No Deshaun Watson equals no hopes for Houston. Watson is one of the best QBs in the NFL and with his current allegations still being figured out, it seems like he won't be able to play this season. Even with Deshaun, this team is very lackluster. It should be Houston's goal to get the #1 pick for the 2022 draft.
AFC North
Cleveland Browns: 12-5*
Baltimore Ravens: 11-6*
Pittsburg Steelers: 9-8
Cincinnati Bengals: 5-12
Browns - The Cleveland Browns are loaded this year. On both sides of the field, they have a potential top 10 unit. Last year, Baker Mayfield elevated his game in the second half of the season and that shouldn't stop now. With Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, and Kareem Hunt, there is no excuse for Baker not to repeat or be better than last year. And of course, their defense will be amazing. Myles Garrett will continue to be fantastic and have a Defensive Player of the Year season.
Ravens - Lamar Jackson will always be incredible and with more weapons, he should be better. Baltimore added Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins to their pass attack and that will boost their offense to another level. The loss of JK Dobbins is a big one and it could cost them a few games. The Ravens defense is usually at the top of the league and that will not change this season.
Steelers - Pittsburg's defense will carry this team as per usual. TJ Watt will once again have an outstanding season and the Steel Curtain will remain as an elite defense. On the other side of the ball is where things change. Ben Roethlisberger is way out of his prime and he needs to step up to help this team win. The addition of Najee Harris could assist with that, but their offensive line is still in need of improvement.
Bengals - Joe Burrow will be great, but the offensive line is still atrocious. Burrow does now have his former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Burrow could have a proficient season, but his protection will most likely hinder that. Joe Mixon also seems to not stay healthy. Besides safety Jessie Bates, Cincinnati's defense is also not very good. Zach Taylor is a bad coach and the Bengals will be inclined to let him go.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: 13-4*
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-7*
Denver Broncos: 9-8
Las Vegas Raiders: 6-11
Chiefs - Usually teams that lose the Super Bowl struggle the next season. That's not the case for Kansas City. The Chiefs still have the best offense in the league with Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce. Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy still calling the plays, this offense will remain elite. The offensive line got a rebuild this year, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out. On the defensive side, I expect a big year for edge rusher, Chris Jones.
Chargers - Justin Herbert is on pace for an incredible year. After a very impressive rookie season, I don't see Herbert stepping off the gas pedal. He had 31 touchdowns last year (most for a rookie QB) and that should increase if Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler stay healthy. Their defense doesn't look too loaded as some may think, but if Joey Bosa and Derwin James stay healthy, the Chargers should have a solid enough defense to make the playoffs with Brandon Staley calling the shots.
Broncos - This is another case of the defense carrying the team. Denver has key players like Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Kyle Fuller, and Justin Simmons. With those guys leading this defense, the Broncos will be a top 10 defense this year. The offensive side is where you should worry. The weapons are great with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Noah Fant, but their quarterback situation is not well. I would rather start Drew Lock over Teddy Bridgewater. Lock showed some promise in the preseason and Bridgewater has never thrown over 15 touchdowns in a season. Starting Drew Lock should be a decision made sooner rather than later.
Raiders - This offense looks pretty good. Derek Carr under center throwing to Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, and Darren Waller is something Raiders fans should be excited for. Darren Waller is going to have an unbelievable season, maybe even win Offensive Player of the year. Vegas' protection though received a big overhaul and I don't think it's going to work out for them. The defense also doesn't look very intriguing, so that will hurt them.
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