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The power conference of the NFL will most likely remain that of the biggest contenders. The New England Pats and the Indianapolis Colts will be powerhouses just like they were last season, and will pretty much dominate the regular season. The cellar –dwellers will also return, some of them in slightly better shape others in worse. Let’s take a detailed look at the contenders though:
AFC North has a couple of powerhouses of its own, and a couple of strugglers to go with them.
The Cleveland Browns will probably win the division. Building on last season’s surprisingly good performance, they’ll probably repeat in 2008-2009, only this time it won’t surprise anyone. They have solved some of the issues that plagued them, the problem is they did so by creating other problems in other areas. Having acquired Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams will take care of their defensive problems, but the loss of Leigh Bodden doesn’t bode well for their cornerback spot. The draft didn’t close that wound either.
Contenders as always, The Pittsburg Steelers took the division title last year. Next season though, it’ll be tougher for them even though they made a few good offensive additions. Alan Faneca’s departure will weigh heavily in the balance. They’ll finish runners up to the Browns.
Their defense hurt the Cincinnati Bengals last season, and the problem is bound to return to haunt them. Rudi Johnson will have to pick up the pace and show some quick improvement, or his future with Cincinnati may not be a long-term affair.
The Baltimore Ravens are most likely to finish last in AFC North, simply on account of the fact that the Bengals will have them manhandled. Their defense will be terrible and the draft didn’t do much to help them in that respect either.
AFC South predicts the Colts on top, a team that beat the toughest division last season as the last place Texans were above .5 too. Riding a trend of gradual improvement from year to year, the Colts will probably do it again next season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were great last season, however, the fact that they’re stuck with the Colts in their division means they will probably not take home a division championship next year either, despite the fact that they will improve.
The Tennesse Titans have not solved the very problem that plagued them most last season, that of the wide receiver, so that will confine them to the lower half of the division standings next year. Limping offensively, the Titans may not get as lucky as last year and catch another wildcard berth.
While the opposition garnered strength, the Texans didn’t really improve for next year. Under these circumstances, their record will probably suffer more than last year.
Last year’s undefeated regular season overachievers, the New England Patriots will almost certainly be predicted to do it again next season. Sure, Asante Samuel and Donte Stallworth are gone, but they’re still likely to win 15 in AFC East.
The Buffalo Bills failed to improve, much like the Titans and the Texans. Still, in a division in which the Pats reign supreme, and the other 2 teams are the Dolphins and the Jets, they will catch second place on a maximum of 6 wins.
The Dolphins can only improve compared to last year, and given the fact that they’ve drafted Jake Long, they probably will too.
The New York Jets drafted Vernon Gholston, but his presence is not likely to make up for the loss they suffered in Jonathon Vilma’s departure.
Stuck in the weak AFC West, the Chargers will definitely come out division champs next season too. LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie will take care of that.
KC had an excellent draft predications and that means they’ll show a lot of improvement compared to last year. Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert will be forces to reckon with.
The Broncos are pretty much a mystery prediction to handicappers right now. Who will be their starting runningback? A tough schedule might mean they’ll be stuck in 3rd by the end of next season with about 7 wins.
Apparently, the Oakland Raiders are stocking up on runningbacks. They’ve drafted Darren McFadden, but completely forgot how bad they needed a defensive lineman. 6 wins for these guys.
Sports handicapping is always easier when you have some actual footage to fall back upon.
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