OK let's finish what we started. Here's how I think the divisions will shake out in the AFC as well as the major storyline for each division:
AFC East
1. New York Jets 2. New England Patriots 3. Miami Dolphins 4. Buffalo Bills
Major Storyline: Top Heavy. Now while it might have been easy to focus on the difficult contract situations in this division, I don't think that topic will be an issue when the real football starts up. this big story in this division is the level of talent. For the first time in years I believe that the AFC East has surpassed the AFC North and NFC East as the power conference of the league. The Patriots, Jets and the Dolphins all have the rosters to not only get into the playoffs but even represent the conference in the Superbowl. The Patriots appear to have the only "proven" QB in the division but Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez seem capable as signal-callers and will be put to the test this season.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals 2. Baltimore Ravens 3. Pittsburgh Steelers 4. Cleveland Browns
Major Storyline: Uncertainty. With all the injuries to the Ravens defense and the suspension of Big Ben of the Steelers, this division may be a bit unpredictable. Before all of the injuries the Ravens were the popular pick for the Superbowl this year because of last year's performance. The Steelers had a down year last year, but many pundits considered it a simple bump in the road. Unfortunately with Roethlisberger out to start the season, they might see a repeat at third in the division. On the other hand, the Bengals seem to be going in the right direction. The acquisition of T.O. makes an already potent offense even better, and the defense, if it can stay healthy, is almost just as skilled. I think that while the Ravens and Steelers might stutter out of the gates, the Bengals may take an early division lead and hold on to it going into the playoffs. Oh and the Browns are still bad...
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers 2. Denver Broncos 3. Kansas City Chiefs 4. Oakland Raiders
Major Storyline: The Chargers and the Rest. This division seems pretty easy to predict. When the biggest new story for your team is the play of your third string QB who is by all accounts years away from seeing the field as a viable starter you know you're going in the wrong direction. *cough*Broncos*cough*. The Chiefs are bad, the Raiders are worse. At least Kansas City seems to be in rebuilding mode, Oakland isn't even in a place to start and I don't think Jason Campbell is the first step. Even with Vincent Jackson possibly holding out I think that the Chargers will make short work out of the division.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts 2. Houston Texans 3. Tennessee Titans 4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Major Storyline: Business as Usual. The Colts should win this division handly as usual so there probably won't be too many headlines made in terms of the division race. The race for second, however, may be a little interesting. The Titans season ended on a high note with the team going 8-2 in it's last 10 games. Unfortunately for Tennessee I think that their current squad is more indicative of their 0-6 start than their finish. On the flip side, the Texans are still striving to live up to their potential. They have a core of elite players in Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Mario Williams, Brian Cushing, and DeMeco Ryans but beyond that the skills of the rest of the squad may be a bit suspect. Arian Foster may be a pleasant surprise this season though. The Jaguars should just try and keep their team in town.
Every Day is a Sports Day's Playoff and Superbowl predictions will be up after the avalanche of injury attrition leaves us with the final picture leading up to the first regular season game.
Awww man, I gotta say I'm a little upset by the East prediction (never mind that I'm a Patriots fan). The Jets haven't proved a thing and everyone's picking them to win the division. That being said, I think the Jets go 10-6 and get a home playoff game in their new stadium, but that's it. We'll see where it goes.
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