AFC East
New York Jets: 8- In what is surely a suicidal move, I'm optimistic about the Jets this season. They have a chance to be the second best all-around team in the AFC. They actually have a good offense and a good defense, which seems like a foreign concept for many AFC teams. However, it's the Jets, so any time you think they're going to be good, trust the opposite to happen. But still, it's almost impossible they don't get 9 wins. Over
Buffalo Bills: 8- Bills are another team with some really good players on both sides of the ball. The Ryan boys are bringing sexy back to the sidelines, and Tyrod, Shady, and Sammy Watkins could light up the scoreboard. However, it's the Bills, so any time you think they're going to be good, trust the opposite to happen. Under
Miami Dolphins: 7- Seven wins seems about right for the Fish. They're starting the season off on the wrong foot, since this year their unprecedented streak of off-season Super Bowls was finally broken. Tannehill is garbage, most of the defense is garbage, most of the offense is garbage, the guys they brought in are all either past their prime or stink. Besides the like, five reliably good players and a new coach, there's just not much to be excited about here for the people of Miami. Not that they'll notice. Under
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10.5- Vegas is really high on the Steelers, and for good reason. The offense is insane. They have the best receiver in the league and arguably the best running back in the league, along with Big Ben. If everyone stays healthy, they'll score on everybody. Only thing is, everyone is going to score on them, too. Their defense is very leaky, despite how many high draft picks they've invested in bringing back the Steel Curtain. This is a really talented team, and one I wouldn't want to face in the playoffs, but they're too one-dimensional to win more than ten games IMO. Under
Cincinnati Bengals: 9.5- The Bengals have choked in big games more often than I misspell Cincinnati, which happens every time I try write it. No matter who is on the roster, they shrink in primetime. Their schedule is brutal this year, too. Still, they have eleven games at either 1 or 4 o'clock, and they play the Texans in primetime, possibly the only team that's smaller mentally. They'll somehow win ten or eleven games. Over
Baltimore Ravens: 8- Ravens were really unlucky with injuries last year, most notably to Steve Smith, Sr. and the league best quarterback, Joe Flacco. Their offense is good, but the defense was surprisingly shaky last year. Not sure if it's really going to improve this year, either. Eight wins seems spot on, and I want to say push, but that's not what we're about here. I hate the Ravens, so I'll say Under.
Cleveland Browns: 5- The Browns are kind of an interesting team. If RGIII can recapture some semblance of quality quarterback play, they have some good weapons on the outside. When Josh Gordon comes back, he, rookie Corey Coleman, and receiver experiment Terrelle Pryor could create an exciting, high flying offense. However, it's the Browns, so any time you think they'll be good, trust the opposite to happen. Under
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: 9.5- Maybe I'm missing something, but this seems crazy to me. Sure Luck was hurt last season, but they weren't good last year. The offensive and defensive lines STINK, especially since defensive end Henry Anderson, who was surprisingly good last year as a rookie, is out for an undetermined amount of time. It'll be Andrew Luck or bust this year, which works when he's carving up the Jags and Titans, but doesn't work when he throws a million interceptions against good teams. I could be wrong (never happened before) but I don't see it this year. Under
Houston Texans: 8.5- I like this Texans team. They have a great defense lead by everyone's favorite completely genuine great guy J.J. Watt. Hey, did you know that J.J. has a grandma and a great-grandma? I just found out the other day because he's never brought it up before. Anyway, they have a lot more than the dominant Watt on D, and should finish very high in league rankings on that side of the ball. On offense, they brought in some good pieces, but I'm not sold on Brock Osweiler. To be honest, I'm not sure anyone outside of Houston is, but it's who they went with. I think he'll limit them some, but Lamar Miller and Deandre Hopkins can win games no matter who's at QB. Over
Jacksonville Jaguars: 7.5- Every year, there's one or two it-teams that everyone thinks will take a big step forward and take the league by storm. The Jags certainly qualify this year. They made some big time acquisitions with Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson. They essentially have three exciting new first round picks on defense, with Jalen Ramsey, Dante Fowler, last year's first rounder who blew his knee out in camp, and Myles Jack, who would have been a top-10 pick if he didn't have injury issues. Add in the explosive trio of Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, and Allen Hurns, and the possibilities seem limitless. But, this seems all a little bit too much, too fast. These get-rich-quick moves hardly ever work. There's still a lot of questions to be answered, and many of the offense's stats came late when they were already losing. Maybe ask me about them next year. Under
Tennessee Titans: 5.5- The Titans make me sad. When you have Marcus Mariota, who literally couldn't be stopped at Oregon in the spread, why must you insist on going to a boring, run first, second, and last I-formation attack. This isn't 1920 anymore. Grow up, Mike Mularky. Under out of spite.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 9.5- I spent enough time doubting this team last year to learn my lesson. Despite the standard post-Super Bowl exodus of free agents, this defense is still crazy good. Losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan hurts, but it seemed like even their backups on D were freak athletes. On offense, they'll be pretty much the same as last year. Peyton was the definition of replacement-level last year, and, barring an unforeseen star turn, that's what they'll be getting with Trevor Siemian. They'll be fine, even in a pretty tough division. Over (FWIW, I love Denver +3 on Thursday night)
Kansas City Chiefs: 9.5- The Chiefs have two of their stars, Jamal Charles and Justin Houston, fighting lingering injuries to start the season, but it's pretty much the same team as last year. Now, I doubt they'll win 10 games in a row again this season, but they'll be good again. That's kind of all I got on them. Alex Smith is to quarterbacking what paint drying is to exciting activities. They have a good pass rush, so that can be fun. They'll be good, but I'm not dropping everything to watch them every week. Over
Oakland Raiders: 8.5- The Raiders are the other trendy pick in the AFC, and I think there's more merit to them. My man Derek Carr started last season like a house on fire, and ended it like a typical Raiders QB. But, they have the best O-Line in the AFC and have an up-and-coming star in Amari Cooper. The defense could be scary this season with Khalil Mack and what should be a vastly improved secondary. However, it's the Raiders, and any time you think they'll be good... actually, you know what? I think the Raiders will be good this year. Over
San Diego Chargers: 7- I don't think I can say this loud enough: CHARGERS STINK. Easiest call on the board. Under
Bonus AFC Title Game prediction
Patriots beat Broncos- What can I say? I'm biased.
No comments:
Post a Comment