every year I do this, because it's fun to look back (and sometimes laugh) when the season is over. the conference champions of each division are the first listed followed by the second place team, and so on. my picks for the NFL Wild Card teams are after, followed by the AFC/NFC Championship picks, followed by the Super Bowl then the SB winner.
AFC
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers - Pittsburgh retains most of their super staff and is poised to have two breakout players in linebackers LaMar Woodley and Lawrence Timmons (great - just what opposing offenses need, more Steelers LBs). the big question is if the offensive line can keep QB Ben Roethlisberger on his feet for the season?
2. Baltimore Ravens - despite losing the significant defensive mind of Rex Ryan and LB Bart Scot to the NY Jets, I don't think that Joe Flacco or the coaching staff will suffer from a Sophomore Slump. the Ravens are good, they just happen to be in a division with Pittsburgh - who does exactly what they do only slightly better.
3. Cincinatti Bengals - the Bengals need to build on last year's solid defensive preformance and hope Carson Palmer can remain healthy while not having Housh to throw to.
4. Cleveland Browns - Cleveland has not settled on a QB - will it be the conservative minded Brady Quinn or the gunslinger Derek Anderson? doesn't really matter, as I don't think they will reach 6 or 7 wins this year.
AFC East
1. New England Patriots - Tom Brady is back and looking to cement his title as this decade's football god. I think NE will be very good, but an aging defense will keep them away from greatness.
2. Maimi Dolphins - for the Wildcat formation to work this year, they need to figure out how to throw the ball from that formation. Miami has done no apparent steps to figure this out and I see them edged slightly by the Pats for the division title.
3. Bufallo Bills - QB Edwards will find a comfy target in T. O. but the Bills will not get out to a great start with losing RB Marshawn Lynch for the first quarter of the season.
4. New York Jets - the Rex Ryan coached Jets will be good, it is just gonna have to wait a year (sorry lady). Sanchez will be a good player in the NFL year, he just needs to get some reps on a professional level. any defense anchored by Rex Ryan and Bart Scott will be good. I can see the Jets maybe stealing the number 2 spot in this conference, but I could also see them suffering a 6 win season.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts - first the bad: Tony Dungy is gone and their defense and run game have some considerable question marks. then the good: Peyton Manning is one of the best QBs in the league and an assistant coach in his own right. the Colts will win the division but not much else.
2. Tennessee Titants - their defense won't be as scary without DT Albert Haynesworth, but they still have some weapons and can prove deadly - specially if they figure out how to work in/motivate QB Vince Young.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - some people think that the Jags will return to form this year. as much as I like Jack Del Rio I don't think they will be able to get past the division hurdles that are the Titans and the Colts.
4. Houston Texans - this team is perpetually .500 and a big reason is because their QB cannot stay healthy.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers - LT isn't the best RB in the league, but he still is damn good. Shawn Merriman is back and should be giving opposing QBs headaches. look for Rivers, Sproles, LT and company to win the worst division in pro football.
2. Denver Broncos - some people are dismissing the Broncos already - and with such a brutal schedule, character problems, and a mediocre-at-best QB in Kyle Orton, who can blame?
3. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russel and Darren McFadden are studs. maybe they have enought talent to finish second in this conference?
4. Kansas City Chiefs - with Matt Cassel injured the glass is definetely half empty.
AFC Rookie of the Year
Rey Mauluga - Cincinatti Bengals
it's hard to dismiss another product of USC linebacking corps.
AFC Defensive MVP
Troy Palamalu - Pittsburgh Steelers
look for Troy to have another breakout year, with around two or three INTs for touchdowns. runner-ups include a number of other Steelers defensemen - including LB James Harrison or newcoming LB Lawrence Timmons. Houston Texans DE Mario Williams could charge in here as well.
AFC Offensive MVP
Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts
Manning has still got it and his stats will most definetely show.