The AFC is going to be murder next season -- 10 teams with legitimate shots

[GonzoLays]

Parity reigns supreme in the NFL. The AFC is going to be sick next year with 10 teams who have a viable/logical/rational chance at having the best record in the conference.

1) New England -- don't ask

2) Indy -- don't ask

3) San Diego -- don't ask

4) Baltimore -- don't ask

5) Denver -- Much improved, but are we even top five in this conference?

6) Cincinnati -- Talented. That's all that needs to be said.

7) New York Jets -- made the playoffs last year and we didn't. WTF?

8) Pittsburgh -- Can't count them out...ever.

9) Jacksonville -- That team is a beast yet they can't get over the hump. They can beat anybody at anytime. Biggest (literally) offense in football.

10) Mystery team -- every year, there is a mystery team; a team that comes out of nowhere to beast. Could it be Kansas City? Buffalo? Miami? Whoever it is, there is always a rags to riches story for each conference in the NFL.

The playoffs are not a given next year, with out a doubt.

[DenverDuo]

Yep.

If Cutler performs well, we make the playoffs. If not, we don't. It's that simple, barring catastrophic injuries on the whole team.

Jacksonville and Cincinatti are underachievers, but either can blow an opponent out if they're on a good day. I'm guessing we lose to Jacksonville.

It's going to be a dog fight.

[AboveAverage]

Cue Chief fan with inferiority complex in 3...2...1......

[400HZ]

I think Baltimore might fall off some this season. The Jets were a good story last year, but they made the playoffs due more to a cheesedick schedule than being a great team.

[Popcorn Sutton]

Indy is going to have to put up 40 a game. They already had the leagues worst run D and they lost several key players this year.

[bpc]

I don't see Baltimore falling off unless they suffer some injuries on their offensive line.

Pretty much agree with all you said.

Indy, NE, Baltimore, and I say this reluctantly with Norv Turner now the head guy, San Deigo as the class of the AFC.

Cincy and Denver are on the cusp of doing some major things and could easily be put right up there. I think it will be easier for our defensive line to acclimate to the NFL, and with Cincy, their weakness is in the secondary... they will score a lot of points to compensate for that while they get up to speed.

NYJ, KC, Jacksonville, and possibly Miami could go either way this year. NJY just seems a little light on talent this year. Thomas Jones should help though. KC has a major hole at both offensive and defensive lines. Their secondary is going to hit the wall soon too. Jacksonville has a hole at QB. Miami could be that surprise team that comes out of nowhere this year. Their defense should still be strong enough to compete and their offense could surprise if they get some good QB play.

It will be a knockdown dragout fight to the finish this year. I feel lucky to have Jacksonville, Cleveland, Tennessee, Houston, Pittsburgh and Buffalo on the schedule this year.

[redrage]

No inferiority complex here. Just laughing at the constant superiority complex of Bronco fans. Only 10 teams have a chance for the playoffs and one of them isn't one of the 6 playoff teams from last year? Who's the one being insecure?

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by DenverDuo

Yep.

If Cutler performs well, we make the playoffs. If not, we don't. It's that simple, barring catastrophic injuries on the whole team.

Jacksonville and Cincinatti are underachievers, but either can blow an opponent out if they're on a good day. I'm guessing we lose to Jacksonville.

It's going to be a dog fight.

If Lepsis stays healthy we make the playoffs.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by redrage

No inferiority complex here. Just laughing at the constant superiority complex of Bronco fans. Only 10 teams have a chance for the playoffs and one of them isn't one of the 6 playoff teams from last year? Who's the one being insecure?

Reading comprehension, dumbass.

[bpc]

Originally Posted by redrage

No inferiority complex here. Just laughing at the constant superiority complex of Bronco fans. Only 10 teams have a chance for the playoffs and one of them isn't one of the 6 playoff teams from last year? Who's the one being insecure?

- Who is your starting QB? Controversy written all over that position.
- LJ is a spoiled POS. And he is a contract year. You really think he is going to try run through the walls that Herm put him in front of last year and risk injury? I doubt it.
- Your WR group is very average, even with Bowe. They won't have an ability to stretch a defense or keep them honest with LJ running the rock.
- Your offensive line is going to be terrible.
- Your defensive line is going to be terrible.
- Your LB's aren't really all that good either.
- Your secondary is starting to get old especially on the corners.

KC will be lucky to go 8-8 next year.

Only one team from AFC North will make it... CINCY lost one of its best OL guy and they are just a few arrest's from some of there major players getting boot by RG. So i am putting CINCY out of playoffs. One team between Pitt and Baltimore... might be baltimore, because Pitt might struggle under there new coach and i think Ben will have another down year.

If there is a second team from west, it should be buffalo. Jets did have some bad games and they made it in. Buffalo showed some talent and with OL improved lets see if they can get over. But NE is the only sure shot.

Tennesse and Houston are not ready yet. Tennesse had the worst draft as well. Between INDY and JAX, they both are good.. but Jax and there receivers are ?? But problem is at there QB play as well. If this team makes it to the playoffs it is on there D.

Again i think with Oakland improving a little through draft, it might not be easy wins against them anymore. SD is the elite team in this division without a doubt. But denver addressed lot of issues and playoff shouldn't be a question. KC just went negative in this offseason.

SO AFC will be represented by

SD, Den, Indy, NE, Bal

and bubble teams are (BUF & JAX) for the 6th position.

KC will be beaten by Oakland this time twice (BOLD Prediction of the season)

[atomicbloke]

Are you crazy?

Everyone knows that the Denver Broncos have already won the Superbowl in Feb 2008.

The only thing remaining is the mere formality of playing the season.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

The Chiefs are a better football team than the Jets. You kidding me? The Jets would kill for a couple of studs like LJ and Tony Gonzalez.

Last time I checked the Bengals STILL hadn't found a defense. At least the Chiefs have that going for them.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by bpc

- Your offensive line is going to be terrible.

But better than last year.

- Your defensive line is going to be terrible.

WTF? Our D-line was decent a year ago and our defensive tackle rotation looks to be MUCH improved.

- Your LB's aren't really all that good either.

LMAO. OK. Donnie Edwards is about a billion times better than Kendrell Bell. Kawika dumped...finally. Derrick Johnson ready to rape in his third season.

[Killericon]

Kawika dumped...finally.

Were'nt you singing his highest praises last season?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by killericon

Were'nt you singing his highest praises last season?

He fooled us all. He's not suited for the scheme. We upgraded with his replacement this offseason.

[2KBack]

the chiefs are the same team as last year, maybe an improved 0-line (debatable) but the QB potision is in flux (never good news, see 06 Broncos). Not to mention LJ is annoying his team and coming off a record breaking carries season, history dictates bad tidings for 400 carry backs (see Jamal Anderson, and even our own TD if you count post season carries)

[chaz]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

But better than last year.

your offensive line is not going to be better than last year...its going to be worse, much worse...LJ is going to have a hell of a time trying to make it thru the season with the pounding he is going to take behind that line.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by 2KBack

the chiefs are the same team as last year

You've got to be kidding me. Last year defensive tackle and wide receiver were two of the three weakest positions on our football team. We had linebackers woefully unsuited for the Cover 2. Not to mention the league's worst left tackle....

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by chaz

your offensive line is not going to be better than last year....

Because Jordan Black is NOT the worst left tackle in the league. Right.

[2KBack]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

You've got to be kidding me. Last year defensive tackle and wide receiver were two of the three weakest positions on our football team. We had linebackers woefully unsuited for the Cover 2. Not to mention the league's worst left tackle....

While I am not thining at full capacity at the moment, I am balancing any possible improvements made in those areas with the uncertainty at QB. Huard won't be taking anyone by surprise, LJ can't handle the same load as last season, and if Croyle starts you are looking at a first year starter at QB. It's not blind **** talking, you just can't underestimate what a fluxuating QB position can do to a team.

[Los Broncos]

NE is the team to beat, imo.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I think that Mystery Team has an excellent shot this season.

They should start out the season as Vegas favorites.

[Sarcastro]

Originally Posted by bpc

- Who is your starting QB? Controversy written all over that position.
- LJ is a spoiled POS. And he is a contract year. You really think he is going to try run through the walls that Herm put him in front of last year and risk injury? I doubt it.
- Your WR group is very average, even with Bowe. They won't have an ability to stretch a defense or keep them honest with LJ running the rock.
- Your offensive line is going to be terrible.
- Your defensive line is going to be terrible.
- Your LB's aren't really all that good either.
- Your secondary is starting to get old especially on the corners.

KC will be lucky to go 8-8 next year.

Most players definitely go out of their way to underperform during contract years. Great logic.

Anyways, I can understand questions about LJ not being up to par after last season. I can understand not thinking our O-line will be any good. I can even understand not thinking our WRs will be that good. 1st round WRs often don't contribute much their first season. If we take a step back, it will be on offense.

I can't really understand thinking any aspect of our defense will be terrible. Our defense was 16th in total yardage and 11th in scoring last season. If anything, the defense should be better. If you really want to argue that DJ, DE, and Harris are poor cover 2 LBs, or that JA, Hali, Boone, Turk, Tank, Wilkerson, Edwards, and Reed comprise a terrible cover 2 DL then go ahead. We had an above average defense last season with less talent and less experience then we will have going into this season.

The only response I really have for the comment our CBs getting old is that the two most important skills for cover 2 CBs are ball awareness/skills and tackling ability. They don't need to have 4.3 speed.

[Sarcastro]

Originally Posted by 2KBack

While I am not thining at full capacity at the moment, I am balancing any possible improvements made in those areas with the uncertainty at QB. Huard won't be taking anyone by surprise, LJ can't handle the same load as last season, and if Croyle starts you are looking at a first year starter at QB. It's not blind **** talking, you just can't underestimate what a fluxuating QB position can do to a team.

The Chiefs certainly didn't have any stability at QB last season. They still managed to beat out Denver for a playoff spot.