2010 AFC Predictions from NSAwins.com’s senior NFL writer Stephen G – I’m back from the offseason all rested up and ready for the 2010 NFL season! I’ve studied my playbook, attended the off-season conditioning program, got in shape and made it through the dog-days of training camp with an idea of who’s going to do what this year. Let’s start with the AFC…..
AFC EAST
New England 10-6
New York 9-7
Miami 8-8
Buffalo 3-13
New England still has the best QB and coach in the division; their draft class looks good and should contribute right away. They will put up points and all will ride on how the young defense performs. As for the Jets, with or without Revis, they still have a shaky QB and they won’t surprise anyone this year. Miami still looks like a .500 club to me and Buffalo is hopeless….
AFC NORTH
Baltimore 11-5
Cincinnati 10-6
Pittsburgh 9-7
Cleveland 5-11
Baltimore’s added some weapons and they always draft well; they are the team to beat in this division. Cincy will challenge as they are stout on defense and gave Carson Palmer some new weapons in the offseason but at the end of the day, they have too many tools on that team. I reserve the right to move Pittsburgh higher if Sheriff Goodell cuts Big Ben’s suspension down to 4 games. If that happens and they can survive his absence, then they can challenge for the title as Rape-lisberger is still the best QB in the division. As for Cleveland, well, good luck with that buddy!
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis 12-4
Houston 10-6
Tennessee 8-8
Jacksonville 6-10
Until someone unseats them, this is Indy’s division. During the regular season, no one is better than Peyton Gump, er..Manning. Playoffs are another matter, but I digress. Houston has the best shot of making the playoffs from this division as they get better and better. VY makes Tennessee a factor, but do you really trust this guy behind center? Forget Jacksonville as they are moving backward.
AFC WEST
San Diego 10-6
Denver 8-8
Oakland 7-9
Kansas City 6-10
San Diego should win this division, okay? They have the most talent and best QB but it won’t be a cakewalk, not with Norv at the helm. The other 3 teams are harder to predict. Denver should be better in “The Boy Wonder’s” 2nd year, but Oakland now has a professional QB and perhaps they challenge San Diego. KC (or New England West) has to improve the defense if they want to get to .500.
Division Winners: New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, San Diego
Wild Cards: Cincinnati, Houston (no, I’m not in love with the NY Jets)
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