Sep 03 2008
2008 AFC Preview
The AFC seems to be the stronger of the two conferences, however, a closer look reveals major questions for all the big teams. New England faces possible defensive troubles as they replace free agent losses and are getting older quickly. The offense however, should still permit them to cruise. San Diego still has the problem of Norv Turner. He’s had little playoff success as a head coach, and I wonder if he’ll ever break through. They are too talented not to win the West, but they need to step it up, starting with Philip Rivers. I expect a big year from Pittburgh. Now in the second year with Coach Mike Tomlin, I can see this team going far. Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes are becoming a great tandem, and this spells trouble for the overrated Cleveland Browns. Jacksonville and Indianapolis will again dance for the division supremacy, but with Tennessee also in the division, I think both teams will struggle to break away and get home field advantage necessary to go deep. Here’s my picks for the AFC, with the playoff round they’ll reach in the parentheses.
AFC East
- New England (Divisional Round)
- New York Jets (Wildcard Round)
- Buffalo
- Miami
AFC North
- Pittsburgh (Superbowl)
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Baltimore
AFC South
- Jacksonville (Championship Game)
- Indianapolis (Divisional Round)
- Tennessee
- Houston
AFC West
- San Diego (Wildcard Round)
- Denver
- Oakland
- Kansas City
So I have San Diego and New York losing Wildcard weekend to Indianapolis and New England. I just still can’t trust Philips and Turner, and I fully expect that Shawn Merriman will go down this year. Pats and Colts falling to Jacksonville and Pittsburgh in divisional round. I think the Patriots defense will not hold up, any injuries throughout the year they will struggle to replace, and once the playoffs hit, it’ll be tough to overcome. Jacksonville and Pittsburgh are my picks for the AFC Championship, and I can see this one going either way. I give the nod to Pittsburgh at this point, because I believe with the weak division they are in, they’ll have home field advantage.
