2010-2011 NFL Season Predictions: AFC

The 2009-2010 season was full of surprises, upsets and letdowns. For the first time in franchise history, the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl by defeating the Indianapolis Colts. This year plans to have much more than that. If you've always wanted a heads up on who is going to win the AFC Championships and who is going to win the Super Bowl, then keep reading and you will find out.

In the AFC East, you have the defending champions, the New England Patriots, are looking to win their 2nd straight AFC East title. The Patriots playoff run didn't go the way they went wanted it to. They lost in the very first round to the Baltimore Ravens. The New York Jets had a good run in the playoffs. They made it to the AFC Championship game, but lost to the Indianapolis Colts. The Miami Dolphins tried to win their 2nd straight AFC East title, but ended up finishing 7-9, 3rd in the division. And the Bills, well they were the same ol' Bills. I like the Jets to win this year. QB Mark Sanchez had a great season last year, and look for a much better season this year.

AFC East Champs: New York Jets
Wild Card Team: New England Patriots

The AFC North can go either way. Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals won the division by finishing the regular season with a 10-6 record. With the addition of WR Terrell Owens, the lethal receiving combination of Chad Ochocinco and Owens will help QB Carson Palmer and the Bengals' bid for 2 straight division titles. The Baltimore Ravens won the wild card playoff spot in the division. QB Joe Flacco had a great season last year and with Ray Lewis leading the Baltimore defense, it will be hard to beat them this year. The Browns have a new starting QB. They signed Jake Delhomme in the offseason and they drafted Texas QB Colt McCoy. Last year the Steelers were looking to repeat as Super Bowl Champions, but missed making the playoffs by losing the season series with the Ravens. With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for the first 4 games, look for the Steelers to drop early.

AFC North Champs: Cincinnati Bengals

Last Season, the AFC Champions came out of the AFC South division. The Colts are no stranger to success. They have reached the playoffs 12 out of the last 15 years. Don't think anything will happen any different this season. Last year the Texans completed their first winning season in franchise history. Look for Houston to turn some heads this season. The Tennessee Titans were no competition all season long, and the Jaguars haven't been a threat since 1999. No surprise in this division.

AFC South Champs: Indianapolis Colts
Wild Card Team: Houston Texans

The AFC West was a disappointing division last year. The Chargers won the division last year with no competition. But last year, they had RB LaDainian Tomlinson. This year they don't. This year, it might change up a bit. The Denver Broncos finished 8-8 last year, but during the 2010 NFL Draft, they drafted QB Tim Tebow. He was the sleeper pick during the whole draft. If they give him playing time, the Broncos might be challengers for the division. But that is probably not going to happen.

AFC West Champs: San Diego Chargers

So we have the Patriots, Jets, Bengals, Colts, Texans and Chargers. By the rankings, that I did myself, the Colts and Jets would have a bye in the first week of the playoffs. It would be Bengals against the Texans and the Chargers against the Patriots. The Bengals will defeat the Texans and the Patriots will beat up the Chargers. The matchups in the second round will be the top seed Colts against the Bengals and the Jets against their division rivals, the Patriots. The AFC Championship will consist of the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets. A rematch of last year, which will end in the same way.

AFC Champions: Indianapolis Colts. Peyton Manning will not let the Colts win their division and not make it to the AFC Championship game. I don't see any other team even competing with the Colts this year in the AFC.