East
New England (13-3)**
Is there any doubt the Patriots are the best team in this division? After suffering a down year, the Patriots reloaded in the offseason, adding Fred Taylor to their ground game, and picking up Joey Galloway - who should be a perfect slot receiver in this system. The Patriots biggest weakness, which for years was a strength, was their linebackers. Junior Seau, Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel all looked old and slow in coverage, allowing most teams to exploit this with multiple-wideout sets. The Patriots addressed this over the past few years, adding Jerrod Mayo, Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton and Pierre Woods. Paris Lennon and Tully Banta-Cain also figure to get a lot of snaps, as will recently acquired Derrick Burgess, primarily as a edge rusher. The revlolving door continues at corner though, which looks to be the Patriots biggest question mark this season. Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden were added in the offseason, and expect to be the starters, and rookie Darius Butler, figures to be the nickle.
Miami (9-7)
While I wouldn't say the Dolphins are a one-year wonder, their schedule gets much tougher this year. Miami won the division and reached the playoffs last season, thanks in large part to winning 9 of their final 10 games. Of those final 10 games, none were playoff teams, and 7 had losing records. The Dolphins running game should be as strong as ever, and the defense welcomes back Jason Taylor, giving them arguably the toughest edge rush combo in the game, in Taylor and Joey Porter. If Chad Pennington can continue to manage games as he did last year, the Dolphins could push for the playoffs for consecutive seasons.
N.Y. Jets (6-10)
The Jets are in rebuild mode, but just aren't telling anyone that. Brett Favre and his league-leading interception totals are gone, so is long-time Jet, Laveranues Coles. The defense is where they should thrive, especially with Rex Ryan leading things. Ryan brought a few of his guys with him, in Bart Scott, Marques Douglas and Jim Leonhard, which should help the learning process of the new system. If anyone can turn Vernon Gholston into a Terrell Suggs type, you'd think it would be Ryan. With Mark Sanchez likely beginning the season as the starter, it will probably be rough early, but I expect this team to get better as the season goes on.
Buffalo (5-11)
The Bills are a bit of a trendy pick to push for a playoff spot, but I just don't see it. Trent Edwards is a good quarterback, but nothing more than that. Marshawn Lynch is not the Marshall Faulk type of game-changer he was billed to be, coming out of college, and the wideout corps. is highly overrated. Terrell Owens is a 35 year old receiver, who's lost a step. Lee Evans has the speed to stretch the field, but thats about it, while Josh Reed is nothing more than a possesion receiver, much like Andre Reed, only far less explosive. The offensive line lost it's best player and a lot of depth in the offseason, and the defense has regressed the past few seasons. Aaron Schobel has just 8 sacks over his past two seasons, and just 1 came last year. The Bills secondary is good, but the front 7 is questionable. The Terrell Owens experiment will end after just one season, and won't come close to delivering what it was hyped to.
North
Pittsburgh (13-3)***
After winning a Super Bowl, the Steelers got better, yes, better in the offseson. The defense is as good as ever, and still very, very young. Offensively though, the Steelers improved. Limas Sweed started to come into his own down the stretch and during the playoffs, and he now figures to replace Nate Washington as the slot receiver. The biggest upgrade though, is in the backfield, where last season's number one pick, Rashard Mendenhall returns from injury. Mendenhall showed explosiveness before going down for the season last year with a broken shoulder. Mendenhall could end up pushing Willie Parker for playing time this season, and at the least will give Pittsburgh a tremendous change of pace back to go to.
Baltimore (9-7)*
The Ravens got an incredible rookie season out of Joe Flacco last season, and rode that as well as their strong defense to the playoffs, eventually AFC Championship game. The backfield is arguably the deepest in the league, but the receiving leaves little to be desired (what happened to Todd Heap). The Ravens also need to replace two key players to their system (Scott, Leonhard). The defense always seems to be good though, and I like John Harbaugh as a coach, plus this division is top heavy, bottom weak.
Cincinnati (7-9)
The Bengals should bounce back, at least a little bit this season. Chad Ochocinco will miss TJ Houshmandzadeh, but gets a fully healthy Carson Palmer back this year. I'm not completely sold on Cedric Benson as their everydown back, but you can't argue with the numbers he put up in that role last season. The defense should be much improved this season with Rey Maualuga playing next to former USC teammate, Keith Rivers. Watch out for rookie defensive end Michael Johnson, who figures to make an impact as a pass rusher at some point this season.
Cleveland (3-13)
Hey Browns fans, wait till next season. Brady Quinn looks to have won the starting job, even though it should be Derek Anderson's job. Jamal Lewis is getting older and slower, but still reliable around the goaline, but there is no receiving threat on this team. Braylon Edwards drops everything in sight, and Kellen Winslow is gone. Rookie Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaqoui will be relied upon heavily...not good. Defensively, Corey Williams is out of place at defensive end, and outside of D'Qwell Jackson, the linebackers are very weak. The secondary doesn't get much better, Roderick Hood is starting, need I say more? Long year in Cleveland, again.
South
Houston (10-6)**
This is the year the Texans finally put it together and reach the playoffs. This team has been very good, under the radar the past few years, but were cursed with playing in the toughest division in football. The Colts and Jaguars should both start to take steps back this season, and the Titans can't really be as good as they were a year ago, can they? Steve Slaton emerged as a feature back, and Andre Johnson is probably the best receiver in the game (Kevin Walter is vastly underrated as well). Team those two with Owen Daniels at tight end, and thats a formidable passing attack, as long as Matt Schaub can stay healthy...big if. Defensivley, Mario Williams proved for once and for all that he was justified in being the first pick of the 2006 draft, the young Amobi Okoye will only get better, and Demeco Ryans may be the most underrated lineback in the game. Things look up for the Texans this year.
Indianapolis (10-6)*
The Colts are still going to be a good team, but they're going to really miss Tony Dungy, and Marvin Harrison. Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning, but now in his mid-30's a decline can't be too far away. Reggie Wayne will have to prove he is an elite receiver this year, without Marvin Harrison, but I just don't think Anthony Gonzalez can replace Harrison as a caplable second option. Joseph Addai was a big disappointment last year, and looks like he may not be an everydown back, look for Donald Brown to end up splitting time there. On defense, the line is still their strength, but the linebackers are as shaky as ever. The Colts will beat up on bad teams, but the offense isn't what it once was anymore.
Tennessee (9-7)
The Titans lead a charmed life last year, with everything breaking their way. Kerry Collins, the defense, the running attack, it all clicked. Not this year. The running attack should be as good as ever, with Chris Johsnon, a slimed down LenDale White and rookie Javon Ringer, but the receivers are shaky. Justin Gage is a solid second option, but he's asked to be the first on this team. Kenny Britt and Nate Washington were drafted and signed in the offseason and are going to need to become playmakers for Collins, early. Defensively, Albert Haynesworth is going to be sorely missed. He's the guy who made that defense go. Without Haynesworht stuffing the run and gettign push upfront, the linebackers and secondary will be far less effective this season.
Jacksonville (8-8)
It's looking more and more to be the end of the road for Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville. After years of early playoff exits, they failed to reach the postseason altogether last year. Things will be even tougher this year, especially in that division. Can David Garrard bounce back? Can Maurice Jones-Drew put up the same numbers without breaking down, now that Fred Taylor is gone? Does Torry Holt have much left in the tank? Defensively, they should still be in the upper tier of the league, but offensively, there's just too many question marks.
West
San Diego (11-5)**
The Chargers are should be set up pretty nicely this season. LaDanian Tomlinson should have a nice bounce back season, even with Darren Sproles continually emerging. Vincent Jackson really started to emerge as a featured receiver last season, and Chris Chambers is a nice compliment, stretching the field, plus, you still have to gameplan for Antonio Gates. Defensively, the Chargers should be even better this season. They get Shawn Merriman back, and rookie Larry English gets to learn from the sidelines, from Merriman and Shaun Philips. Former Cowboy, Kevin Burnett, fits the scheme perfectly and gives Steven Cooper a good tag-team partner in the middle, while Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie team up to form arguably the best corner back tandem in the league. The Chargers will stub their toe a few times (Norv Turner is their head coach), but are fortunate enough to play in the worst division in football.
Kansas City (5-11)
The Chiefs aren't as close to the playoffs as many think. Yes, they've got good pieces in place on the defense (Tyson Jackson, Glenn Dorsey, Derrick Johnson), but there's too many holes, as a whole. The secondary hasn't been addressed, once again, and looks to be quite poor on paper. Mike Vrabel will give the defense veteran leadership, but the tank is nearly empty there. Offensively, you have to wonder just how good Matt Cassell is, and if those numbers were inflated, thanks in part to playing with Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and in a good system. Brodie Croyle is said to be making a strong push already to supplant him. Larry Johnson needs a strong bounce-back season, and the safety net of Tony Gonzalez is no longer there. The Cheifs are still a few years away from competing.
Denver (5-11)
Things figure to get ugly in Denver this season, real ugly. Mike Shannahan is gone. Say what you will about him, and whether or not his greatest success came because of John Elway and Terrell Davis, but the fact is, he won. You have a rookie head coach replacing him, and are completely revamping your defense. Oh, and did I mention your franchise quarterback is gone? Plus, Brandon Marshall is unhappy, and wants out. Here's two reasons why I know Denver will be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. 1.) A brutal schedule, which could feature a 8-10 game losing streak. 2.) Former Packer Hall of Fame Turd, Kenny Peterson is starting on their defense. Yikes.
Oakland (3-13)
The Raiders have nice pieces in place, but too many question marks, and a fairly difficult schedule should make for a long season for Al Davis and co. JaMarcus Russell won the QB battle between he and Jeff Garcia, and showed flashes of promise last year. Darren McFadden played well in limited duty last season, and should be the everydown back this year, but wideout is the biggest question. Can Darrius Heyward-Bey be as good as Al Davis hopes he will, or will he go down as a bust? How much does Javon Walker have left? And up front, can this line block anybody? Defense will be their strenghth, with good corners (Nnamdi Asomugha is a star) and Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard leading a nice linebacking corps. Former Cowboy, Greg Ellis returns to his natural position of defensive end and should provide veteran leadership. Unfortunately, this team needs more.
Playoffs
Byes: (1)Pittsburgh, (2)New England
(3)San Diego over (6) Baltimore
(4)Houston over (5)Indianapolis
Divisonal
San Diego over New England
Pittsburgh over Houston
Championship
Pittsburgh over San Diego