NFL: AFC Preview 2007 - 2008 Season

As expected, the AFC is poised to once again be the power conference of the NFL. Led by the re-tooled New England Patriots, the fantastic San Diego Chargers, and defending champion Indianapolis Colts the conference doesn't appear to lack talent in any of its four divisions. Let's take a look then at each division in the AFC.

AFC East - We start in the east where the two main contenders appear to be the New England Patriots and the New York Jets. The Patriots unleash a new receiving corp with Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss. They also bolstered their defense by signing stand-out linebacker Adalius Thomas. But, what's going on with Asante Samuel? Don't forget about the Jets, though, who traded for underrated running back Thomas Jones from the Chicago Bears. Jones will definitely help Chad Pennington and that passing game. One interesting player on the Jet's team is Andre Wadsworth. At one time Wadsworth was considered the next coming of Simeon Rice. Then, as often happens in the NFL, he busted himself up. If he bounces back, that defense could be something.

The Dolphins have an old quarterback and appear to be out of sync as a unit before training camp. No questioning Cam Cameron's ability to call plays but he won't have LaDanian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, and Antonio Gates in Miami.

The Bills do have an up and coming QB in J.P. Losman who might have a breakout year. But, is Marshawn Lynch really that good? Good enough to give up on Willis McGahee? Buffalo looks like a wheel-spinner of a team this year, but their defense is underrated.

AFC South - Another division headlined by a terrific team in the Super Bowl defending champion Indianapolis Colts. They lost both starting cornerbacks, but, let's be honest here, that Cover 2 that Tony Dungy teaches is awesome and he will find a way for the new cornerbacks to flourish in it. If the defense improves slightly, and Joseph Addai improves slightly at the RB position, the Colts could definitely win another title. There's really nobody to challenge the Colts in this division. The Titans have one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL because of their awesome QB, Vince Young, but the rest of the team doesn't appear up to par. I can't see them making the playoffs in the AFC even with Vince providing highlight after highlight.

The Jaguars appear to be moving in the wrong direction. Their RB, Maurice Jones-Drew, might take a step back ala Cadillac Williams from Tampa Bay last year now that teams know about him. Byron Leftwich hasn't improved from year to year like the Jags expected and their defense isn't improving.

The Houston Texans are, well, the Texans. Matt Shaub appears to be a good quarterback, but David Carr didn't look that shabby either at times and nobody can throw the ball behind that O-Line.

AFC North - Three teams could contend here which means none of the three probably can make it to the Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers look to bounce back because everything points to their new coach, Mike Tomlin, getting them together. Big-Ben Roethlisberger should also have a bounce back year and their defense is still one of the more feared in the NFL.

The Ravens won't miss a step, at least for the first eight games of the season, and will beat everyone up before failing in the playoffs, again. They aren't good enough to get to the Super Bowl. Their defense is even older than last year and another year under QB Steve McNair's belt is not a good thing. However, they are very talented and that talent will take them far during the first half of the season. They could start the season 8 and 0.

What can one say about the Cincinnati Bengals? Sure, that offense is awesome, but did anyone notice that they lost two of their best defensive players in Kevin Kaesviharn and Brian Simmons? It's impossible to outscore teams in the AFC. Just impossible. Without defense you're toast which means by the end of this season we may be waving bye-bye to Marvin Lewis. I feel bad for Carson Palmer, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. This team could get awful in a hurry.

The only thing to say about the Cleveland Browns is that they are run like and play like the color of their uniforms. Sorry Browns' fans, nothing to like about this year. Nothing.

AFC West - It's all about the San Diego Chargers here. Don't buy the turnaround in Denver. Jay Cutler, the Denver QB, will need at least another year in Mike Shanahan's system and Travis Henry doesn't really scare anybody. The defense is okay with Champ Bailey shutting down one side of the field at the cornerback position, but the rest of the D just doesn't stack up with the powerhouses in the AFC. Still, the Broncos have enough to steal that last wildcard spot.

The Raiders are the Raiders and might forever be the Raiders. JaMarcus Russel, I feel sorry for you, baby! Lane Kiffen, you should have passed on the challenge, baby! Sure, the defense played well in spots last year, in spots, but, does it matter? Does it? Will the Raiders even sniff the playoffs? Not!

What are the Chief's doing? Larry Johnson is awesome, okay, just awesome, but that O-Line is decimated which means it doesn't matter. The Edge, Edgerrin James, was awesome too before he found himself running against fellas who eat more pancakes instead of performing pancakes in Arizona. The Chiefs just don't have enough on either side of the ball to challenge the Chargers.

The San Diego Chargers are good enough to make it to the Super Bowl. They have the best RB in football in LaDanian Tomlison, a great QB in Philip Rivers, and a terrific offensive line. Their defense is just awesome with Shawn Merriman wrecking havoc all over the field. The only knock against this team is their coach, Norv Turner, who has failed as a head coach with both the Washington Redskins and the Oakland Raiders. If you can look past that, then the Chargers are for real and have a great chance to make it to the Super Bowl.

Division Winners - New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers.

Wild Cards - New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos.

AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers

AFC Super Bowl Representative - Indianapolis Colts