This is a very short post. Like I said yesterday, I don’t have that much to talk about as far as the NFL is concerned. I like to let the season get underway before I begin to rant.
AFC Preview
AFC East
1. New York Jets (12-4)
2. Miami Dolphins (10-6)
3. New England Patriots (10-6)
4. Buffalo Bills (4-12)
Why They’ll Win: They aren’t as good as they think they are, and this isn’t a division where they will just run away with the lead. However, the Jets did a nice job in the offseason, and having Darrelle Revis back in time for the regular season will help the already solid defense. With all their new components, plus a fiery coach, the Jets are just better than Miami and New England. It’s the passing of the torch from New England to New York, because the Jets may have a hold on this division for years to come.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-9)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Why They’ll Win: Most people aren’t ready to put the Bengals at number one in this division. The Ochocinco and T.O. combination could be a powder keg, and Baltimore is the class of the AFC in some people’s eyes. I think that Cincinnati is capable not only of keeping their two receivers happy, but of beating Baltimore twice this season. Carson Palmer is still better than Joe Flacco, and I think that will ultimately be the difference when these teams meet each other this season.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
2. Houston Texans (9-7)
3. Tennessee Titans (8-8)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Why They’ll Win: I routinely feel bad for the Houston Texans, because for as good as they are, they always have to deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Pay no attention to the Colts 0-4 preseason record, because they will still be pretty darn good. Unless Houston has their best season in franchise history, or Vince Young and Tennessee surprise again, the Colts will win this division yet again, and by a sizable margin considering the talent in this division.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (10-6)
2. Oakland Raiders (9-7)
3. San Diego Chargers (7-9)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (3-13)
Why They’ll Win: I think that this is one of the weakest divisions, but also one of the toughest to predict, in the entire NFL. Denver is either going to be pretty good, or pretty bad. Oakland is the chic pick for many people, but I’m not ready to hop on Oakland’s bandwagon yet, because I’m skeptical that quarterback Jason Campbell can really lead them to a division title. San Diego’s balloon was almost entirely deflated this past offseason, and I only expect problems out West from them. Kansas City just isn’t there. Since someone has to stumble into the number one spot in the AFC West, I think the Broncos are most likely to do so. Josh McDaniels will not be on the hot seat; at least, not this year.
Playoffs
Wild Card
Baltimore (Wild Card) vs. Denver Broncos
Winner: Baltimore
Miami (Wild Card) vs. Cincinnati
Winner: Miami
Divisional
Baltimore vs. Indianapolis
Winner: Indianapolis
Miami vs. New York
Winner: New York
Conference Championship
New York vs. Indianapolis
Winner: Indianapolis
Okay, now that you’ve seen my predictions, you know that my conference champions are the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts. I’m sure that you all have differing opinions, so I’d like to hear them. Before you sound off in the comments section or on the Around The Corn Sports Blog Facebook fan page, here is my prediction for Super Bowl XLV.
Super Bowl XLV
Green Bay Packers (NFC Champions) vs. Indianapolis Colts (AFC Champions)
Winner: Green Bay Packers
– K. Becks
