Now that draft is over, it is a quiet time. Maybe we can look at who are playoff caliber teams in AFC this year. I think Broncos and Colts are surefire Division Winners. Bengals and Patriots should also win their divisions but they are not a lock. Though for arguments sake let's assume they win their divisions. This leaves us with below teams candidate for 2 WC spots. Tier 1 : Chiefs, Ravens, Jets Tier 2 : Steelers, Chargers, Texans I don't think Browns will improve that much and not sold on Titans either. Rest of the teams don't strike me as playoff caliber teams. Not sure what you guys think.
The Jets have enough talent to be a playoff team. They should compete for a wildcard spot. The Raiders could get in if Schaub returns to form. The Dolphins and Bills could be potential threats.
I hate the Pats as much as anyone, but they haven't lost the division more than twice since 2001, it's kind of optimistic to say they aren't a lock. I can see the Chiefs and Texans having a down year, but I don't see the Steelers and Ravens bad this year, it will be tough to make the wild card unless the league does add another team for each conference to the playoffs, not to mention there will be a couple of surprise teams that probably do better than most people suspect in the AFC. Can't count the Raiders out with all of the talent they brought in this year, although I think the Jets will beat them week 1.
I think your underrating the Dolphins a little. That franchise has been pretty bad for the most part for a while and can never seem to get out of their own way but there is talent there. Tannehill is a player, can't overlook teams with talent at the QB position IMO. They were 8-8 last year, same as us. If you put us as a tier 1 team i'd have to put them there as well.
I'm not so big on the Pats this season. Brady wasn't great last year by any means so I'm not ready to say they are close to being locks. Jets or Miami could def compete with NE this year. Indy and Denver are locks..I think KC takes a step back so 2 teams from the AFC East will get in.
Lol I have to laugh at those counting the Pats out. Until we knock them off their throne they're still the team to beat.
Yeah I gave up on waiting for the Patriots to be dethroned a long time ago. The last two years they honestly havent even been that good, its just that the rest of the division/afc blows. TBH to, I dont like picking teams to make the Super Bowl after they lose it, so I think the Patriots will unfortunately end up being my pick to win the AFC. I dont see anyone else winning it....... Looking at their schedule to it looks they might be off to a 6-0 start, or 5-1....
How is thinking they aren't as good as they once were "counting them out"? They still very well could win the division because the division always underperforms. But I just can't see em going 12-4 and winning the division by 3-4 games like they usually do.
The Patriots finished 12-4, hardly a indication there on the downfall, not to mention they fixed there biggest defensive weakness CB, the division is there's to lose
They are getting Wilfork back from injury, drafted a beast dlineman, and now that they have Revis, can cheat a safety to the line in run support. It's not fixed, but it's much improved from last season.
I think you have too much time on your hands. Don't get me wrong, it sounds like your a die hard Jets fan, which is great, but making wildcard playoff predictions in May is cuckalamonga.
Agreed. And if I were to put $$ on it I'd say they would win too. But I think it's much more realistic they win 10 games and the Jets or Miami win 9. Just don't see em running away with it this year
Wilfork is in his 10th year, coming off season ending injury. Dlineman is a rookie, a q-Mark. And safety will really be good for lowering 4.5 ypc from last year? Regardless, the point was not whether their run D is better than last year, it probably will be, by default. My response was that Revis cancelled their biggest weakness. Pass coverage was and is not Pats biggest weakness, run defense is.
Wilfork is still Wilfork until he gets injured again, Sheldon Richardson was a rookie last year, and we have seen the benefit of having Revis for years and it does not end with just locking down one receiver, it frees up a safety, which benefits the defense greatly, no matter how you try to minimize it. Yes, I think it will be enough to improve their run defense, at least until Wilfork gets injured again, which seems likely but isn't guaranteed. Not to mention the fact that two of their division rivals, Mia and NYJ have even bigger question marks on OL.
Yep it is a little bit early but to be honest, not much going on about Jets at the moment and I wanted to see what everybody thought about our conference. You are exactly right byz. I think Revis will bring them the luxury of focusing on run defense more. That is why they are still my favorite to win the division but I think if Geno can make the leap we might play them for division come Week 16.
Like others have said, it's way too early to know these things, and there will be teams 90% of us don't even think about that end up going 9-7 or better. Now that said... I don't think the Chiefs will be nearly as good this year. The Texans have nobody at QB. I don't care how good their defense could potentially be. The offense will be horrendous. The Titans, and Jags will be decent, but nowhere near our level. The Browns well...ok. The Raiders could be better, but won't be like us. Every other team imo has a very strong chance at the playoffs this year, including all 4 of the AFC East teams.
Revis was playing in a shitty zone scheme, coming off ACL surgery and coached by a guy that will probably never coach in the NFL again. I'm not a fan of his career choices but you have your head up your ass if you think you can write him off.
