AFC EAST
Miami Dolphins
The big question: Can Tua Tagovailoa stay healthy for a whole season? If he can, watch out opposing defences. The Dolphins have one of the fastest overall offensive units and can rack up points when they’re on their game. The defence has some good young players too and will be getting all-pro CB Jalen Ramsey back later in the season. As long as this team stays healthy, it has a chance to steal the division from Buffalo’s grasp.
Prediction: 12-5
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen seemingly is all the Bills need to be guaranteed a playoff spot. The QB is among the game’s elite and makes this offence among the NFL’s top unit. The defence, which will be called by head coach Sean McDermott, lost a couple of pieces in the off-season but also should remain solid. The only thing that can slow down the Bills are injuries and a very tough schedule in an increasingly tough division.
Prediction: 11-6
New England Patriots
The biggest addition the Pats made this off-season was getting someone who actually has an offensive background to be their OC. That should greatly help Mac Jones’ development and puts New England in a much better spot this year, but you have to worry about the damage already being done. The offensive line doesn’t inspire too much confidence and the weapons are fairly average. The defence should remain a top-10 unit, but playing in a tough division does the Pats no favours.
Prediction: 9-8
New York Jets
The Jets might have found a solution to their never-ending problem at QB, landing former MVP Aaron Rodgers in the off-season. The next problem will be protecting him with an offensive line and that should rank among the league’s worst. Head coach Robert Salah also has yet to prove he can be a winning leader, but the defence should be among the league’s top units.
Prediction: 8-9
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s no Mitchell Trubisky experiment this season as Kenny Pickett takes the reins for the full season. If he can continue his growth in his sophomore campaign, the Steelers should be in playoff contention. The defence has several stars to cause opponents headaches and coach Mike Tomlin is one of the best in the game.
Prediction: 10-7
Cincinnati Bengals
With Joe Burrow leading the offence, the Bengals sure to contend for the division title and likely more. The defence lost some key pieces, but overall it is a unit that isn’t reliant on stars and is more about the sum of its pieces. The big problem is that Burrow was hobbled during the pre-season and there’s no telling how his calf strain will affect his play early on.
Prediction: 10-7
Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson played like a guy who hadn’t seen a football field in nearly two years when he finally suited up for the Browns last year. This time, he’ll be counted on to return to the type of player he was for the Texans that warranted the huge trade price and guaranteed contract. Cleveland has a rock-solid roster that can contend as long as the man who faced 20+ counts of sexual misconduct can get himself together.
Prediction: 9-8
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens look like they’ll be shifting away from an offence that was probably too run-heavy for its own good. Lamar Jackson’s health issues haven’t helped the cause over the past few years and having him throw more could help keep him on the field. The defence improved a lot after the addition of Roquan Smith last year and will look to keep that momentum.
Prediction: 9-8
AFC SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars
Getting an actual coach in the building in Doug Pederson improved the Jags more than any on-field addition last year. Trevor Lawrence is looking like a star QB and good franchise leader. Getting Calvin Ridley, who sat last year while suspended for gambling, can be a game-changer on offence. It’s the defence that we have questions about. Did they make enough improvements to solidify themselves as the cream of the crop in this poor division?
Prediction: 10-7
Tennessee Titans
Between Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins, the Titans have some aging vets playing in some very important positions. But in Tennessee, it’s coach Mike Vrabel who matters the most. He nearly took the most injured team in the league last year to a division title and playoff spot. If this squad can get some better injury luck, who’s to say the Titans can’t upset the young Jags and take the AFC South crown back?
Prediction: 9-8
Indianapolis Colts
Another year, another new QB for the Colts. That’s eight different QBs in a row as opening day starters as Anthony Richardson gets the assignment. Unlike the others post-Andrew Luck, he should be sticking around as the team’s future. However, Indy has a lot more problems to address, including the messy situation involving Jonathan Taylor. There’s a long way to go for this squad.
Prediction: 6-11
Houston Texans
The Texans mortgaged their future for a second top-three pick in the draft and now have everything to play for despite having a very underwhelming squad talent-wise. Houston could seriously be one of the league’s worst teams and not even have a first-round pick to show for it. But looking up and down its depth chart, the Texans are looking like they’ll be mediocre at best.
Prediction: 3-14
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs upped the difficulty last year by trading away all-pro WR Tyreek Hill and still won the Super Bowl. The trio of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and coach Andy Reid is just that good on offence. But with top defender Chris Jones holding out for a new contract and Kelce suffering a knee injury this week, it’s going to be even harder for K.C. to repeat. The Chiefs remain one of the league’s best teams and a championship contender, but the road is going to be tough.
Prediction: 11-6
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers came into last season with a ton of hype that soon dissipated after Justin Herbert suffered a rib injury and other key players started getting banged up. And then they blew an historic lead in the playoff against the Jaguars and now everyone has dialed down expectations. The talent is all still here and a new OC too, but coach Brandon Staley is certainly on the hot seat.
Prediction: 11-6
Denver Broncos
Nathaniel Hackett’s reign as Denver’s head coach lasted less than a season – an absolute disaster. Russell Wilson and the offence looked awful while the Broncos’ solid defence did its best to bail the team out. Sean Payton will look to right the ship, but is getting a proper coach enough to propel this team into the playoffs?
Prediction: 9-8
Las Vegas Raiders
Who would’ve thought that failed head coach Josh McDaniels would already look like a failure in Las Vegas? Despite having Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, there’s not much to inspire hope with this team. Jimmy Garoppolo is the QB, for now, and there’s not much depth behind him when he inevitably gets hurt. The Raiders will be much closer to a top-five pick this season than a playoff spot.
Prediction: 4-13
Playoff teams: Dolphins, Chiefs, Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, Chargers, Bengals
AFC championship: Dolphins over Steelers