Unlike the 1980's and early 1990's, the American Football Conference has a legitimate shot at taking home the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy this year. So good in fact, that the AFC has 14 teams who will be vying for one of the six playoff spots.
The question at hand still remains. Is the AFC strong enough this year to take home the Lombardi trophy? While they certainly have a deeper conference than the NFC, a true powerhouse team has yet to emerge on par with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFC. The test is on, but it surely will be a hard one to pass
AFC North
This conference has depth but not enough big play making teams like the NFC does. If one team from this conference is going to win the Super Bowl or make some noise, it is going to be done with defense and not with explosive big time plays. And we all know defense wins championships, just ask the Ravens.
The AFC North is basically Pittsburgh's to lose. If Tommy Maddox can repeat what he did last year (2,836 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 16 interceptions) it is a safe bet to put the Steelers at the top of the NFC North. The Steelers will add two more to their win column of a year ago and cruise in at 11-5 to take the division.
With the controversial announcement that Kelly Holcomb will start over former first round pick Tim Couch, and the emergence of a ground game, the Browns are poised to make a run for a wildcard spot by repeating at 9-7.
Ray Lewis is back and so are the Ravens' chances of making the playoffs. But, you need some kind of offense to win games. Last season, the Ravens had an anemic passing game that was ranked 27th in the league. Expect rookie Kyle Boller to take the reigns come late season. 8-8 is doable for the Ravens.
Finally the Bungles, I mean the Bengals. Cincinnati has a young QB in Carson Palmer but he probably won't see much playing time in first year coach Marvin Lewis' system. Six wins is an overstatement. 5-11 if the Bengals play defense.
Division Winner-Steelers
AFC East
Face it, this division is the best in the NFL, but only two will make it to the postseason. Not unlike last season, the division title will be up in the air until the waning weeks of the season...and most likely the final one. The Patriots played to a 9-7 record last year and missed the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in 2001. They will miss the playoffs again this year, even with the addition of Ted Washington and Roosevelt Colvin.
Jet fans are still cringing every time they hear of Chad Pennington's broken wrist, which will keep him out of action for at least 12 weeks, if not the whole season. Enter Vinny Testaverde. Ugh. Testaverde played so miserably last year that he was pulled early on for the Marshall alum, Pennington. Combine that with multiple key losses and what you get is a team that is on the ropes, waiting for the knockout punch. The Jets will be lucky to finish 7-9.
The jinx. The Dolphins have it and haven't been able to shake it in recent seasons. Jay Fielder is the starting QB for the 'Fins and not Brian Griese, a man who some fans were calling for as the new starter even before he was signed. Most importantly for the Dolphins is that they have the conference's best ground game with Ricky Williams. The playoffs are in the picture this year for Miami, who will finish with a respectable 10-6 record while taking the division.
The Bills had yet another remarkable off season with the signing of Takeo Spikes, Sam Gash, Jeff Posey and Sam Adams. A beefed up defense will help the Bills more than their already potent offense, which is led by savior Drew Bledsoe. 10-6 and anything less will see head coach Gregg Williams shown the door.
Division Winner-Miami
AFC West
Probably the second most competitive conference behind the east is the AFC West, where the Raiders are expected to come out on top. They seem to get better as they get older, but the trio of Gannon, Rice and Brown might lose the magic this year if their years catch up with them. That will not be the case though, as they still have the talent and will go 12-4.
Jake "the snake" Plummer takes over the reigns in Denver where Mike Shanahan believes Plummer will suit his system very well. Denver has the tools to make some noise, but not this year. Broncos go 9-7 while questions arise about moving Griese.
The Kansas City Chiefs will need to score 33 points a game to even have a shot at getting a wild card spot with their pathetic defense. The Chiefs need more than just Priest Holmes who is a question mark anyway with his hip injury. The Chiefs will finish 8-8 with Trent Green on the hot seat.
The feel good story of the past two seasons has been the Chargers, but like the Dolphins they seem to collapse at the end, or should I say middle, of each season. The Chargers finish 7-9.
Division Winner-Oakland
AFC South
The AFC South is full of pretenders and non-contenders with the exception of one. The Tennessee Titans will be the AFC's best bet at making it to the Super Bowl. With last year's true MVP, Steve McNair, in top form and a hounding defense led by a healthy Jevon Kearse, the Titans should take the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts nipping at their heels. Indy will make the playoffs, but as Manning and Dungy led teams generally do, they will fold in the early goings. The Jaguars could be the surprise team in the beginning of the season, but that will fade after midseason. Houston will continue to play like an expansion team but David Carr will not break the NFL record of being sacked 76 times. Keep in mind that is a record that he owns after one season in the NFL.
Division Winner-Tennessee
AFC Wildcard Teams-Indianapolis, Buffalo
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
