NFL team-by-team season preview for the AFC
Part one of David John's NFL team-by-team guide focuses on the 16 American Football Conference sides.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
It has been doom and gloom in upstate New York for some years and now it's over to rookie head coach and former Carolina defensive co-ordinator Sean McDermott to have a crack at ending a play-off drought that now stands at an abysmal 17 straight seasons. The defense definitely has some playmakers but there are serious questions to answer at quarterback and little offensive talent around star running back LeSean McCoy so an immediate upswing for McDermott seems unlikely.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins made it back to the play-offs last season but did not progress very far and the bar has been raised a bit higher now with head coach Adam Gase heading into his second season in charge. Gase teams up again with enigmatic QB Jay Cutler after he came out of a very brief retirement to replace the injured Ryan Tannehill and there are plenty of explosive weapons on offense, including British-born running back Jay Ajayi. The defense needs some work under new co-ordinator Matt Burke.
New England Patriots
The Patriots produced a dramatic late fightback to win the Super Bowl and just about cemented the reputation of HC Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady as respective GOAT. They are clear favourites to repeat the trick with no sign of Brady slowing down at the age of 40 and a well-drilled team have enough resources for another serious push despite the loss of WR Julian Edelman for the year.
New York Jets
Possess one of the thinnest rosters around and another season of struggle is on the cards for HC Todd Bowles with no obvious reason why they will climb out of their 5-11 rut from 2016. Aged journeyman Josh McCown has been named starting QB but there is virtually no depth or experience behind him, although a passing attack that includes WRs Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson has promise. Little in the way of quality in the defensive secondary is another issue.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens used to be a regular lock for the play-offs but are at a bit of a crossroads now having missed out in the last two years. QB Joe Flacco is contracted until 2021 and is an elite performer at his best but his poor days can be very bad and their destiny will come down to how he performs. He has not seen any pre-season action due to a back problem and a slow start could leave him and HC John Harbaugh under real pressure. The defense needs to stay healthier in a bid to pick up the slack.
Cincinnati Bengals
Another team in the division who could go either way after taking a decidedly big step in the wrong direction last season with a 6-9-1 record. QB Andy Dalton is serviceable but remains some way below the very best while it is unlikely HC Marv Lewis will get any more time if they fail to make it back to the post-season. Lunatic linebacker Vontaze Burfict is insanely talented but has a terrible disciplinary record, while rookie RB Joe Mixon is one to keep a close eye on.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have been the whipping boys for so many years but change is in the air and they have the potential for a surprise or two this season. They start at rock bottom again coming off a 1-15 campaign but HC Hue Jackson is a useful operator and can begin to get the best out of some fresh, hungry talent. Rookie DeShone Kizer has beaten off the competition – including $16million misfit Brock Osweiler - to land the starting QB job for now but a young defense coached by Gregg Williams could make a real splash.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It will be a surprise if any of the Steelers' divisional rivals will be able to close the gap significantly with Ben Roethlisberger having one more crack at a world title in his Hall Of Fame career. A top-drawer offensive line when healthy will help keep him upright while elite RB Le’Veon Bell is another key component despite a contract holdout over the summer until September 1. They have loads of big-game experience down the years under HC Mike Tomlin but might need to secure home advantage at Heinz Field in the post-season if they are to get back to the Super Bowl.
AFC South
Houston Texans
The Texans are hardly the most dynamic team around but have managed to go back-to-back in the AFC South and did manage a win a play-off game last season against an understrength Oakland. There has been no decision on who will start at QB between Tom Savage and rookie Deshaun Watson but outstanding defensive end JJ Watt is back from injury to boost a very good defense.
Indianapolis Colts
TY Hilton might have been the NFL’s leading WR last season in terms of yardage but the Colts endured an underwhelming 8-8 campaign and missed out on the play-offs. They remain a team who will go as far as QB Andrew Luck can carry them but there are some serious question marks over him following off-season shoulder surgery. A trade for New England third-stringer Jacoby Brissett takes some pressure off a little in that department but another sub-par performance overall could mean curtains for HC Chuck Pagano.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are the designated ‘London’ team currently but the wait goes on for some considerable on-field talent to finally click and turn them into genuine contenders for the play-offs. Doug Marrone has been handed the task having taken over as HC from the fired Gus Bradley, while veteran stickler-for-detail Tom Coughlin will have a big influence on strategy from the back office. Sorting out a QB is the most pressing issue with the team opting to go with an erratic Blake Bortles, although he is on a very short leash indeed. Bruising first-round draft pick Leonard Fournette will immediately be expected to boost the running game while some big-name, free-agent arrivals on defense need to deliver the goods.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are in with a very good shot of toppling Houston in the AFC South. QB Marcus Mariota has had enough time to settle into the NFL and seems none the worse after the broken leg he suffered at the end of last season. Sophomore RB Derrick Henry has the potential be a real star at the position, the offensive line is excellent and this season’s receiving corps for Mariota to target looks much improved. If the experienced Logan Ryan can lift the secondary to go with some stellar play from the front seven, this is a play-off team for sure.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
The Broncos will rely heavily on a strong defensive display once more under rookie head coach Vance Joseph as they attempt to make it back to the post-season having missed out in defence of their Super Bowl crown. Trevor Siemian has won the starting job at QB but is far from bomb-proof to hang on to the job despite Paxton Lynch still looking out of his depth in reserve. It all adds up to another season of treading water.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs continue to play to a high level and have achieved double-digit win tallies in three of the last four seasons under HC Andy Reid. A narrow defeat to Pittsburgh in the Divisional round of the play-offs last season is perhaps the ceiling of their ability behind QB Alex Smith but they have already planned for the future by drafting the exciting Patrick Mahomes. A healthier defense and more mind-boggling big plays from Tyreek Hill should help them put up a stout defence of their divisional crown.
Los Angeles Chargers
It is all change for the Chargers as they up sticks from San Diego for the bright lights of LA. They will play a transitional season in the 30,000-seater StubHub Center under rookie HC Anthony Lynn before moving to Inglewood and a ground-share with the Rams. The gritty and competitive Philip Rivers continues to call the shots under centre while RB Melvin Gordon could be on his way to the top at the position judged by a strong second half to 2016 when the penny seemed to drop. There is some strong talent on defense too which could see them on the fringe of being play-off contenders.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders were one of the stories of last season with a 12-4 record and a trip to the play-offs but were ultimately unfulfilled after losing QB Derek Carr to a broken leg on Christmas Eve. Expectations are extremely high for a franchise counting down the time before a move to Las Vegas and the offense is predicted to shine once more now Marshawn Lynch has been added to the mix at RB. Khalil Mack is an absolute stud on the other side of the ball but the pass defense is a weak spot unless rookie Gareon Conley fits straight in.
Posted at 1200 BST on 05/09/17.
Coming next: NFC team-by-team guide - Wednesday, 0700 BST