2010 AFC Preview

Could there be a changing of the guard in the AFC?  The New England Patriots are another year older, the Pittsburgh Steelers have way too much drama, and the Indianapolis Colts showed they were human with a loss in the Super Bowl last year.  There are some hungry contenders like the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and San Diego Chargers which should make the AFC the most compelling conference in football.

New England Patriots
(10-6 in 2009)

New England lost a lot of respect by going a dismal 2-6 on the road last season. Tom Brady and his knee are another year removed from injury and he has the best receiving corps in the conference -- if Wes Welker can return to top form. The Patriots defense is still searching for a leader and needs to get more pressure to the quarterback.

New York Jets
(9-7 in 2009)

New York blossomed under head coach Rex Ryan and will only gain more confidence as they grow together. Mark Sanchez matured rapidly in the postseason and Shonn Greene will be a force on the ground. The Jets stop unit is relentless and has the best shutdown corner in the game in Darrelle Revis.

Miami Dolphins
(7-9 in 2009)

Injuries slowed the Dolphins in 2009, especially running back Ronnie Brown, who anchored the team's WIldcat offense. But with the emergence of quarterback Chad Henne, Miami backers will see more throw and less go. Troublesome receiver Brandon Marshall is a huge pickup for a team looking for a true game breaker.

Buffalo Bills
(6-10 in 2009)

New coach Chan Gailey is confident he can turn the Bills' lemons into lemonade. Buffalo needs someone to kick-start their offense, which ranked second-last in the NFL in 2009. The starting quarterback gig is up in the air and runny back Marshawn Lynch just isn't what he used to be. The Bills defense, particulary safety Jairus Byrd, is better than average.

Baltimore Ravens
(9-7 in 2009)

The Ravens have high hopes for 2010.  But in order to live up to them, they need to get more out of the offense than just giving the defense a chance to catch its breath.  Quarterback Joe Flacco gets some help with the addition of receiver Anquan Boldin and has a budding Ray Rice behind him.  The Baltimore defense is once again among the best in the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers
(9-7 in 2009)

Ben Roethlisberger will sit out 4-6 games following his offseason antics.  Needless to say, a lot of folks aren't expecting a lot from the Steelers during those 4-6 games.  Pittsburgh has some capable but not outstanding backups under center, and is without its once-elite rushing attack.  Can the Steelers defense shoulder the load, or will this team pack it in before Big Ben gets back from his suspension?

Cincinnati Bengals
(10-6 in 2009)

The defending division champs are getting no respect from bookies, and fans for that matter.  Perhaps it was the 1-4 finish to the season, including the playoff loss to the Jets.  Carson Palmer is beginning to wear down and Chad Ochocinco isn't the same player because of it.  Cedric Benson was rejuvenated in Cincinnati and has a solid offensive line in front of him.  With any luck, the addition of Terrell Owens will be of benefit to the team, and not a distraction.

Cleveland Browns
(5-11 in 2009)

The Browns' revolving-door quarterback spot sends Jake Delhomme under center in 2010.  The turnover-prone pivot is not a long-term answer for Cleveland, which ranked dead last in offense last season.  Head coach Eric Mangini managed to salvage his job for another year, or at least until the team fires him midway through the schedule.

Indianapolis Colts
(14-2 in 2009)

After flirting with perfection in the regular season, the Colts were knocked on their butts in the Super Bowl.  It will be interesting if this team can pick itself up and start over again at the same level.  University of Tennessee alumni Peyton Manning is still the man has more weapons downfield.  The defense must find a way to stuff the run if the Colts want to get back to the AFC title game.  Vegas is assuming that 2010 is the start of Indy's downfall, but I personally hope not.

Houston Texans
(9-7 in 2009)

The Texans have their sights set on the postseason this year.  Houston has the tools to get there with receiver Andre Johnson and quarterback Matt Schaub connecting often enough for the league's fourth-best offense.  The Texans stop unit has some serious holes in the secondary, but Houston may be able to outduel opponents, which sounds good to fans.

Tennessee Titans
(8-8 in 2009)

The future of Vince Young's 2010 season is still hanging by a thread after a fight at a Texas strip club this summer.  The versatile quarterback brought the Titans back from the dead last year, finishing the season with an 8-2 record following the bye week.  Tennessee has the best running back in the NFL in Chris Johnson, but the defense is beginning to break down.

Jacksonville Jaguars
(7-9 in 2009)

The seats of head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback David Garrard are a touch warmer after the team's 0-4 finish to 2009.  Maurice Jones-Drew proved everyone wrong in his first season as the featured back and will once again be among the best running backs in the NFL.  On the other side of the ball, a lackluster pass rush and stale secondary is allowing opponents to air it out against the Jags.

Kansas City Chiefs
(4-12 in 2009)

Matt Cassel was disappointing in 2009 after being hailed as the Chiefs' savior.  Hopefully the addition of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis can spark Cassel, receiver Dwayne Bowe, and budding star back Jamaal Charles.  Kansas City must get tougher on defense, especially in the middle.  But with the addition of University of Tennessee alumni Eric Berry as the highest paid safety in the history of the league, the chiefs should be making progress in this spot.  The Chiefs have talent, its just a matter of making everything work at once.

San Diego Chargers
(13-3 in 2009)

The Chargers are the big fish in a small pond again, making them a lock to win the division.  San Diego will be more active in the pass game with LT out of the picture.  Philips Rivers is an above-average passer with two great targets in Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates.  The defense must step up against the run if the Bolts want to finally perform in the postseason.

Denver Broncos
(8-8 in 2009)

The Broncos hit the wall after a quick start to 2009, going just 2-8 following their bye week.  Denver is another year older under head coach Josh McDaniels, but doesn't have Brandon Marshall making plays for its plain-jane offense.  The stop unit was tough against the pass thanks to pressure, and added some extra bodies during the off-season.  I'm curious to see if they put the "Golden Boy" Tim Tebow to work any during the season.

Oakland Raiders
(5-11 in 2009)

The JaMarcus Russell experiment is over in Oakland, leaving the Raiders to turn to newly acquired Jason Campbell under center.  Too bad he has nobody to throw to and a ho-hum backfield.  Oakland's defense is quick and exciting but not all that effective.  The Raiders are still weak on the ground and in the red zone.