AFC Season Preview

By Peyton Schultze

It’s now or never for Philip Rivers to help deliver a Super Bowl title to the Los Angeles Chargers (via Sporting News).

Just as the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots get ready to kick off on Sunday night versus the Steelers, the rest of the AFC heads into the new season looking for a new representative to participate in this year’s Super Bowl. Will another team rise out of the AFC this year, or will the Patriots head down to Miami for another shot at a ring? From Patrick Mahomes’s second act in Kansas City to the new-look Jets, and from the sky high expectations of the Cleveland Browns to the league-wide implications following Andrew Luck’s retirement in Indianapolis, here’s our full 2019 preview of the AFC.

Divisional Predictions

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

Tom Brady and the Patriots look to capture their 7th Super Bowl title in franchise history in the upcoming season (via Hiptoro).

2019 was another year and another championship for Bill Belichick and the Patriots, and New England heads into the new season loaded with talent and great coaching once again. Led by Tom Brady and Julian Edelman, the Patriots figure to be in the thick of things come January once again. Will this be the year that a team challenges them for the AFC East, or will the dynasty live on?

No matter how many people try to call him a system quarterback or take away from his legacy, quarterback Tom Brady remains one of the best in the league even at his older age. Although he doesn’t throw down the field much and could almost be considered somewhat of a game manager at this point, few players, if any, have the experience and knowledge that Brady has of opposing defenses. Behind a great offensive line (that has lost some key players), Brady has been well protected and figures to be once again. He’ll be assisted by arguably one of the best running back cores in the league, featuring the likes of players such as Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, and Damien Harris. New England’s running back group should have a gigantic year once again, as teams focus on a group of weapons on the outside constantly at Brady’s disposal. Even though they will miss retired tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots have a ton of playmakers on the outside such as Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Philip Dorsett, Demaryius Thomas, and injured-but-interesting rookie, N’Keal Harry. The Patriots’ offense of 2019 may be even better than their Super Bowl winning group from last year, which should make New England fans thrilled for the new season.

Per usual in the Brady-era in New England, the Patriots enter the new season with one of the most underrated defenses throughout the league. The defense is solid all-around, but truly thrives in a deep secondary full of studs such as Jason and Devin McCourty, Pat Chung, Duron Harmon, and one of the best corners in the league in Stephon Gilmore. With mastermind Bill Belichick behind their evolving defense, their defensive backs should take off once again in the new year. Meanwhile at linebacker, the Patriots still have solid rocks in the middle such as Dont’a Hightower, Jaime Collins, Kyle Van Noy, and Elandon Roberts. New England’s weakest part of their defense may be their defensive line, but even they possess some players such as Danny Shelton, Lawrence Guy, and Deatrich Wise Jr. However, their line will have a solid addition in the form of Michael Bennett, who figures to be a great pass rusher for them after good years in Seattle and Philadelphia. The Patriots’ defense should be a top 10 defense in 2019, with potential to even make it into the top 5, and they’ll likely dominate some weak offenses in their own division.

It is truly hard to imagine the Patriots not winning the AFC East or at least advancing to the AFC Championship Game in 2019, especially with a great defense, solid receiving weapons, and the game’s most clutch quarterback. New England will likely be one of the true contenders in the league once again, as they’ll win the division once again.

Prediction: 12-4

Team MVP: Stephon Gilmore

Breakout Player: N’Keal Harry

2. New York Jets

After a busy offseason, the Jets look for Sam Darnold to take the next steps in order for New York to rise to the top of the AFC East (via Flipboard).

The Jets were one of the most active teams in the offseason, adding the talents of star players such as CJ Mosely and Le’Veon Bell. Now, in the second year with Sam Darnold under center, can the New York Jets take a huge leap and challenge the Patriots in the AFC East?

For the Jets’ offense, their ultimate key will be how much Sam Darnold truly grows in his second year in the Big Apple. If Darnold can cut down on his turnovers, he should have a great shot at putting together a nice season to prove his worth as a franchise caliber player. In addition, he will have a lot of help now with former Pro Bowler, Le’Veon Bell, now in the backfield. Bell should be a huge boost in both the passing and running game, and look for him to be a huge part of their offense. The Jets’ offensive line is still a bit of a concern (especially with Bell, a notoriously patient runner) and they’ll need to improve in all facets if they want to make any kind of run this season. The Jets also have returning players such as Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa, who will be joined by newcomer Jamison Crowder. This is a big year for Sam Darnold and New York on offense, and it will be fascinating to see how they perform with an addition like Bell to their group.

The Jets’ defense made some moves in the offseason, including the sneaky-great pickup of CJ Mosely. With Mosely in the middle to solidify the middle of their defense, New York should be much improved. In addition, the Jets’ defensive line will need to have a better season, particularly with players such as Leonard Williams and Henry Anderson. Luckily, the Jets had an awesome draft by selecting Quinnen Williams in the first round, who was arguably the best player in the draft. If their group can get after quarterbacks early and often, the Jets have some real potential. Back in the secondary, the Jets still have players such as Trumaine Johnson and Marcus Maye, in addition to arguably the best safety in football in the form of Jamal Adams. Adams is a beast, and he constantly sets the tempo for the defense with big hits and ballhawking coverage that really make this New York defense click. The Jets may be alright on defense this season with some really nice player, and they will certainly need to be if they want to make a run at the postseason.

It’s hard to say if the Jets have a real shot in the AFC East, especially in a division with the defending champions. However, in a division with the lowlife Bills and terrible Dolphins, there is a legit possibility that New York could make some kind of push at the playoffs. Darnold will take a huge leap and the Jets will have some surprising wins with a bright signal toward the future, but they’ll fall just a little short of a return to the playoffs

Prediction: 7-9

Team MVP: Jamal Adams

Breakout Player: Sam Darnold

3. Buffalo Bills

After showing flashes last season, Josh Allen will look to put a strong season together for Buffalo (via Business Times).

Behind a great defense and a young quarterback, the Buffalo Bills head into 2019 with some high hopes to get back into the playoffs. Buffalo has not had a ton of success in the past two decades, and the clock is ticking for Buffalo to build a real contender in the near future. Can Josh Allen be the player they need him to be to get to the top of the AFC East?

Josh Allen was not great by any means in his rookie season, but he did show some real flashes of potential that should inspire some real confidence in Bills’ fans. If Allen can improve his accuracy and decision making in Year 2, the Bills should be certain that they have finally found their own franchise quarterback. However, Buffalo does not have very much on offense to inspire any kind of confidence in that assumption. The Bills’ receiving core features “C” wide receivers such as Cole Beasley, John Brown, and Zay Jones, none of which inspire a ton of confidence to have a big season. Elsewhere, the Bills have Frank Gore and Devin Singletary in their backfield, which could be a fairly decent combo behind a pretty good offensive line. If Buffalo’s offensive line can protect Allen for all 16 games and create some big holes in the running game, the Bills’ extremely young offense could take the next step in their development.

While the Bills’ offense did not take off in 2018, Buffalo’s defense truly proved their worth as a top unit in the league. Headlined by a nice defensive front featuring Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, and promising rookie Ed Oliver, the Bills should be able to get after quarterbacks in plenty of games. In addition, their defense still has Lorenzo Alexander and Tremaine Edwards at the linebacker position, which figures to be a strength for the defense once again. In the secondary, the Bills have some little-known names who pack a big punch, with players such as Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White. White may arguably be one of the better corners in the league, and the Bills’ front office views him as a very solid piece to their good defense. The Bills may not have the same amount star power as other teams found throughout the AFC, but they are an effective unit with a chance to be near the top of the league in a lot of areas.

Buffalo’s very young and raw roster does not figure to win a ton of games this season, but they do have some interesting names across the board that could turn into key contributors in the future. If the Bills fail to make the playoffs, they must at least find out if Allen is the answer at quarterback. If he is and has an improved statistical season, the Bills could view this season as somewhat of a minor win despite their expected record near the bottom of the conference.

Prediction: 5-11

Team MVP: Tre’Davious White

Breakout Player: Ed Oliver

4. Miami Dolphins

After some puzzling offseason moves, it looks like it will be a long season for the Dolphins down in Miami (via USA Today).

Few teams in recent memory have looked like they are openly tanking in an more obvious way than the Miami Dolphins in the past offseason. By trading some of their best players and inserting journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter over youngster Josh Rosen, Miami has some major questions across the organization that need to be addressed. The Fins are in deep water, and face nearly impossible odds to the top of the AFC East.

Miami made a curious decision in choosing Ryan Fitzpatrick over Josh Rosen to start for them to begin the 2019 season. Fitzpatrick is nothing more than a great backup, so it is easy to question what the Dolphins are actually doing with a young quarterback on the roster. Miami does have two solid running backs with Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage in the backfield, so they may be able to have some nice against against weak run defenses. However, Miami will struggle to block anyone (especially after trading away left tackle Laremy Tunsil), and they will have a true hole on their offense if they are unable to block in the running or passing game. As for their recovers on the outside, the Dolphins will turn to Albert Wilson, DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, and their standout in training camp, Preston Williams. The Dolphins have some interesting options on the perimeter, and Fitzpatrick must get them the ball in order to generate some real offense. Miami does not expect to do much on offense this season, and look for them to get a better look at Rosen if Fitzpatrick struggles early in the season.

As for the Dolphins’ defense, Miami at least possesses a very good secondary with a good chance to shut down some opposing passing attacks. With two great defensive backs in Xavien Howard and Reshad Jones, as well as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Bobby McCain, their defensive backfield is the best area of their roster and a great strength. While they are nice there, they struggle just about everywhere else. With Kiko Alonso now in New Orleans, the Fins turn to Charles Harris, Jerome Baker, and Raekwon McMillan at the linebacker position. The Dolphins’ linebackers and defensive line will struggle against good offensive lines and solid running backs, and they figure to be near the bottom in terms of run defense. With a true lack of good players outside of their secondary, it looks like nothing but serious trouble for Miami on defense in 2019.

The 2019 Dolphins’ outlook looks very plain and simple: they will be terrible. Outside of two very good defensive backs, Miami has almost zero impact players on their roster and will likely fail to have any sort of real production. Fitzpatrick may have some out-of-body games that could help the Fins steal a win or two, but this is likely the worst team in the league.

Prediction: 2-14

Team MVP: Reshad Jones

Breakout Player: Preston Williams

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs

It will be very interesting to see if superstar Patrick Mahomes can replicate his spectacular success from a season ago (via Kansas.com).

One season ago, Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes took the league by storm and consistently tore up defenses with no-look passes and off-balanced throws on his way to a MVP season. Can Mahomes pull off some more magic and lead his team past the Patriots and into the Super Bowl?

It’s hard to say if Patrick Mahomes will take a bit of a step back after last season’s ridiculous run, but it sure will be hard for him to throw for 50 touchdowns once again with a full offseason to prepare for his absurd talent. Nevertheless, Mahomes will likely lead the league’s best offense and figures to have another exceptional season to prove himself as a true generational player. Lucky for him, the Chiefs have two of the best at their respective positions in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. With those two studs, the Chiefs can put up points in a hurry, led by Andy Reid’s creative scheme that seems to just keep getting better and better. Throw in veteran Sammy Watkins, rookie Mecole Hardman, running back Damien Williams, and recent pickup LeSean McCoy and the Chiefs look like they’ll once again be an unstoppable offensive juggernaut capable of outscoring any team in the league. Even with all their weapons, it will be important for Kansas City to keep Mahomes upright and healthy. With that being said, rock solid offensive linemen such as Eric Fisher, Austin Reiter and Mitchell Schwartz will be huge for the Chiefs’ offense once again if they are to make it to their ultimate destination that has dodged them in recent memory: the Super Bowl.

Kansas City’s defense was their Achilles’ heal a season ago, but the unit does look slightly improved and ready to go heading into the new season. The Chiefs’ best area on defense is certainly their defensive line, where the likes of Chris Jones and newly-acquired free agent Frank Clark will look to get after the quarterback early and often. While they struggled at times last year, Kansas City did a nice job in the sack department last season and will look to replicate that success in order to cause some game-changing turnovers. On the second level at the linebacker position, the Chiefs once again return Anthony Hitchens, Reggie Ragland, and Damien Wilson, where they should have a much better season if healthy. Kansas City still is not great in the secondary, but should benefit greatly with the acquisition of Tyrann Mathieu. The man formerly known as the “Honey Badger” will add some fiery intensity to a group with players such as Kendall Fuller and Daniel Sorenson, especially after a poor season against the pass last year as led by former coordinator Bob Sutton. If the Chiefs truly want to get to the Super Bowl, they’ll need this group on defense to at least contain opposing teams’ passing attacks to limit the amount of shootouts that Mahomes and the offense has to engage in (see: 2018 Monday Night Football performance versus the Rams).

Last year, the Kansas City defense was one of the worst units in the league and held the mighty Chiefs from advancing to the Super Bowl versus the Rams. Now, with the additions of Clark and Mathieu, Kansas City should be well suited to once again charge through the AFC and directly match up with the likes of the New England Patriots. This time, however, our bet is on last year’s MVP, as we’ll take Mahomes and Kansas City to advance to Miami for this year’s Super Bowl.

Prediction: 13-3

Team MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Breakout Player: Mecole Hardman

2. Los Angeles Chargers

Joey Bosa and the Chargers will look to rebound from a tough playoff loss to the Patriots last season (via ESPN).

After a very interesting regular season in 2018, the Chargers looked like a legitimate dark horse Super Bowl contender in the AFC. Until, however, they were smashed by the Patriots in Foxborough and sent home early once again in the AFC playoffs. The Bolts’ Super Bowl window is shrinking as Philip Rivers continues to age, so will they be able to rise to the top of the AFC West and return back to the playoffs with the veteran gunslinger?

Although the Chargers look like they will not have Melvin Gordon in the backfield for at least the start of the regular season after a long holdout, the Chargers’ offense still has plenty of weapons that should make them a fierce threat in the AFC. Led by their best quarterback in franchise history, Philip Rivers, the Chargers have plenty of weapons to surround the aging, yet effective signal caller. Rivers has not missed a start in his career due to injury, and he’ll look to move up to second on the all-time list for consecutive starts behind Brett Favre. The Chargers have a good offensive line to protect Rivers, led by left tackle Russell Okung, but they need to stay healthy in order to establish the running game and limit pressure to their QB. Elsewhere, the Chargers still have the extreme talents of Pro Bowler Keenan Allen on the outside, as well as dynamic tight end Hunter Henry and versatile running back Austin Ekeler. The Los Angeles’ offense may not be as strong as they were last year if Gordon doesn’t play during the season, but the Bolts are still a top 10 offensive unit if they can all stay healthy.

Few injuries will have as much of an impact on the season than the Chargers’ painful loss of star safety, Derwin James. James was one of the league’s best rookies a season ago, and completely changed the dynamic of the Chargers’ defense last year. Luckily for them, Los Angeles still has two elite pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, as well as nose tackle Brandon Mebane. The Chargers improved their linebacking core in the offseason by adding veteran Thomas Davis, who will help a group that already has Denzel Perryman. In terms of their overall outlook, the Chargers may struggle a bit more than in past year against the pass, where there secondary is currently beat up and depleted with the loss of James. The Bolts still have studs in the secondary such as Desmond King and Casey Heyward, but they will greatly miss James at least to start the season. Nevertheless, the Chargers defense has the makings of a top 5 defense and truly does not have a major weakness across the board. If and when James returns, watch for this Chargers defense to take off in the AFC.

The preseason injury to James is no joke and will have some severe consequences if he is not able to return until November or December. Combining that with the likely absence of Gordon should be a huge cause for concern for Charger fans, and Los Angeles may be in a bit of trouble heading into the new season. Our guess is that the Bolts will be able to overcome the chaos and at least make the playoffs, but watch out for complete implosion if injuries start to pile up for the Chargers.

Prediction: 10-6

Team MVP: Philip Rivers

Breakout Player: Austin Ekeler

3. Denver Broncos

Even in a tough division, the Broncos will look to get back into the playoffs for the first time since their last Super Bowl season (via Durango Herald).

Denver has not been the same since the retirement of Peyton Manning following their dominant Super Bowl season in 2015. However, general manager John Elway made an interesting offseason choice by bringing in veteran quarterback and former Raven legend, Joe Flacco, to help stabilize the quarterback position for the Broncos in 2019. Can the former Super Bowl MVP return to his former glory and bring back some Mile High Magic back to the Broncos?

Broncos’ fans are very familiar with Flacco, especially after breaking their hearts way back in the 2012 Divisional Round with the so-called “Mile High Miracle”. Now, Flacco will look to win the love of Broncos Country with a solid performance in 2019 that has a chance to take them back to the playoffs for the first time since that fateful Super Bowl season. In addition to Flacco on offense, the Broncos’ running game will likely be their focal point, especially with 2018’s surprise breakout in Phillip Lindsay and power back Royce Freeman in the backfield alongside the veteran signal caller. Behind a revamped offensive line coached by former Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, Denver will rely heavily on their ground game to control the clock and put them in a solid position to win some close football games. Elsewhere on offense, the Broncos will have Cortland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders (coming off a torn Achilles) on the perimeter to catch passes from Flacco and will certainly need their duo of receivers to stay healthy in 2019. Also, look for rookie Noah Fant (Iowa) to contribute on the offense in the catching department, especially since Flacco often turned to his tight ends during his time in Baltimore. With that being said, the Broncos’ season will likely depend on the success of Flacco, who faces some mile high expectations heading into the new year.

With new head coach Vic Fangio at the helm, Denver figures to be one of the better teams on defense throughout the league. The Orange Crush defense still has the likes of the steady Derek Wolfe and superstar pass rusher Von Miller, who will look to get after the quarterback often once again. Miller has already had a magnificent career with his own Super Bowl MVP, but watch out for a huge season with Fangio after Khalil Mack had a similar dominant performance last season under him in Chicago. However, the Broncos will not just rely on Miller this year, as second-year player Bradley Chubb looks like a legitimate breakout candidate heading into the new season that will help get after the passer. Elsewhere on D, the Broncos will have Todd Davis and Josey Jewell roaming on the second level, and should be able to have productive seasons. In addition, Denver added to their nice secondary by bringing in Kareem Jackson and former Chicago Bear, Bryce Callahan, to play alongside top five corner, Chris Harris Jr. While it is certainly not the “No Fly Zone” of 2015, the Broncos secondary with Harris, Jackson, Callahan and safety Justin Simmons has a chance to be one of the best units in the league. Look for Denver’s defense to rank among the league’s best next year under the watch of Fangio in his first year in the Mile High City.

The Broncos may not be one of the league’s best teams, but they should be a borderline playoff team with some real potential to advance if they are put in the position to do so. A season ago, the Broncos were one of the league’s worst 4th quarter teams and often beat themselves in tight games against quality opponents. With that coaching era out and with the hard-nosed Fangio in, the Broncos should be able to improve in that area and steal some wins against some solid teams. Denver will need some things to break in their favor in order to head back to the postseason, but watch out if Flacco is able to step up with his new team to lead them back into postseason football.

Prediction: 9-7

Team MVP: Von Miller

Breakout Player: Bradley Chubb

4. Oakland Raiders

After a hectic offseason, the Raiders need to put up a shut up in Jon Gruden’s second season back with the Silver and Black (via Freep).

From frostbitten feet to helmet disputes to verbal wars with Stephen A. Smith, it has been a chaotic offseason for one of the league’s most dysfunctional teams. The cameras have been on the Raiders all offseason in what looks to be their final season in Oakland; will they be able to overcome the noise or will they crumble to the bottom of the AFC West once again?

Although Jon Gruden’s first season back with the Silver and Black was not very successful, he did make their offensive a bit more explosive than the previous era under Jack Del Rio. Throwing in the uber-talented and locker room mismatch known as Antonio Brown into the mix this season should only make the Raiders’ offense even more dynamic, especially after the free agent signing of touchdown machine Tyrell Williams. In addition, Gruden will likely use rookie running back Josh Jacobs early and often, in what could be a very successful rookie season for Oakland’s new lead back. Led by a pretty solid offensive line featuring players such as Rodney Hudson, Trent Brown, and Kolten Miller, the Raiders should be able to have a good ground attack that should work well in Gruden’s pro style scheme. However, this just puts that much more pressure on incumbent quarterback, Derek Carr. If Carr can return to his prior MVP-type form from 2016, the Raiders’ offense should be legit and could be able to put up a lot of points. If he struggles, however, the Raiders’ could very likely move onto Las Vegas next year and leave Carr behind in a new era of Raider football.

While the Raiders’ offense may be a bit underrated heading into this season, the same can not be said about their defense. After ranking as one of the worst in the league a season ago, Oakland did very little to improve themselves in a major way during the offseason. The Raider secondary did pick up Lamarcus Joyner from the Rams to join their defensive backfield, but the unit is still one of the worst in the league with few impact players other than Karl Joseph and Gareon Conley. Oakland did add notable villain Vontaze Burfict to fill a hole at linebacker, but he is just about one of the only players who figures to make some noise for the Raiders’ defense. On the defensive line, players such as Arden Key, Johnathan Hankins, and rookie Clelin Ferrell (Clemson) lead probably the best area of their defense, but they’ll need the help of some little known names to step up and make some plays on defense. The Raiders only collected 13 sacks (last in the NFL) a season ago, and they’ll need to be significantly better in that department if they want any kind of success in their last season playing at the Oakland Coliseum, home of the A’s.

The Raiders’ offense under Gruden does have some real potential to do some damage in the AFC, but their constant turmoil and chaos throughout the organization has held them back for years. Although the Raiders may win some games in surprising fashion, our guess is that the Silver and Black will be more like Black and Blue as the season winds down.

Prediction: 5-11

Team MVP: Derek Carr

Breakout Player: Josh Jacobs

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

After a disappointing 2018 run, the Steelers will look to get back to their roots and return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011 (via SB Nation).

Pittsburgh was surrounded in utter chaos a season ago, especially after the absurd actions of Antonio Brown, the holdout of Le’Veon Bell, and the red hot coaching seat of Mike Tomlin. With Brown and Bell now with new teams, the Steelers will look to rebound and hope for a dose of addition by subtraction. Can Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers rise back to the top of the AFC North, or will they be replaced by an emerging threat in their division?

The 4th ranked offense in football last year resided in Pittsburgh, where Ben Roethlisberger put together a great season (34 TDs) despite the constant noise surrounding the team. With Big Ben back again and at full speed, he should have another solid season behind a great offensive line with rocks such as Alejandro Villanueva and David DeCastro. In addition, the Steelers’ breakout star from a season ago, James Conner, should also be able to have a nice season in his second-full season as a starter. If Conner can play all 16 games and reduce the amount of fumbles from last year, the Steelers should be able to punch it in the endzone often. Lastly, the Steelers return the talents of star wide receiver, Juju Smith-Schuster, who steps into the #1 WR role with Brown now in Oakland. If players like James Washington and Donte Moncrief can step up alongside Juju, the Steelers could again be a top 5 offense capable of beating any defense.

Even with all of the chaos last year, the Steelers still almost snuck into the playoffs. What truly held them back, however, was an inconsistent defense that should be very good this year. With big names such as Cameron Heyward and TJ Watt rushing the passer, the Steelers should be able to get after the quarterback once again this year after collecting 52 sacks (tied for 1st in the league) last year. Although that has been a strength of their D for years now, their main weakness has been at linebacker. Enter rookie Devin Bush (Michigan), who has had a phemonemal camp and looks like a legit backer who can contribute right away to their defense. With Bush and Vince Williams roaming around, the Steelers should be much better on defense and have some immense potential. The Steelers still have some inconsietncy in the secondary with players like Joe Haden and Terrell Edmunds, but they should have a huge boost this season with the addition of Steven Nelson from Kansas City. While the Steelers might not resemble the Steel Curtain defenses of the past, they should be a top 10 unit that creates a lot of turnovers.

After a quietly good season a year ago, Big Ben has looked resurgent in training camp and may have one of his better years in recent memory. Pittsburgh looks a little underestimated right now, and don’t be surprised to see them at the top of the AFC when all is said and done if they can find a way to stay healthy.

Prediction: 11-5

Team MVP: Ben Roethlisberger

Breakout Player: James Washington

2. Cleveland Browns

The expectations in Cleveland are as high as ever, especially after the emergence of quarterback Baker Mayfield a season ago (via News 5 Cleveland).

Perhaps no team in recent memory has had quite as eventful of an offseason as the Cleveland Browns. By acquiring a generational talent in Odell Beckham Jr. to go along with Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry, the Browns ushered in a new era in Cleveland with new expectations. It’s only Year 2 of the Mayfield tenure in Cleveland, but it is already very clear what is already expected of the Browns: Super Bowl or bust.

Call it the Baker Mayfield effect, but ever since his debut against the Jets on Thursday Night Football, the Browns have been the league’s most captivating story. With an ultra confident gunslinger at quarterback with Mayfield, the Browns have a new swagger on offense that should at least make them a top 10 offense. With Beckham and Landry now on the perimeter for Baker, the Browns’ passing attack should be lethal in the short and deep passing games. However, they’ll certainly need Beckham to stay healthy in order to thrive. In addition, the Browns’ lead running back, Nick Chubb, should have an even better season to build upon a strong rookie campaign. Cleveland’s rushing attack could be their most underrated aspect of their team, so look for the Browns to surely take off and surprise some teams with a hard-nosed approach on offense. Their offensive line also remains solid, with players such as Greg Robinson and Joel Bitonio, and they’ll need to have a good year again in order to protect the undersized Mayfield. The Browns’ offense could take off in 2019, and they’ll be an interesting follow all season long.

The Browns’ defense surely held them back a season ago, ranking 30th in total yardage. However, they did have some promising moments, such as picking off 17 passes to rank 5th throughout the NFL. This season, Cleveland will welcome the additions of Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon to their defensive line, in addition to their defensive foundational player in all-world pass rusher, Myles Garrett. This defense should be able to get after opposing quarterbacks often, especially with their solid rotation of new players. Their linebacking core remains a weakness after ranking 28th against the run last season, so watch out if that becomes a lingering issue over the course of the season. Meanwhile, their defensive backs look like a problem for offense, as players such as Denzel Ward, Damarious Randall, and Morgan Burnett should be able to contribute in a big way. Although they also struggled last season, look for them to improve in a big way this season. While the Browns’ defense may not carry this team (even though they had a great preseason), they should be a good unit that could be a central reason for their turnaround if they win more games in 2019.

Cleveland may face a bit of unfair expectations considering their severely checkered past, but the Browns do have the makings of an emerging contender in the AFC. While it is hard to say that they are better than teams such as the Chiefs and Patriots, it’s fair to say that the Browns could be a playoff team that could steal a game or two. Cleveland won’t make the Super Bowl, but they’ll make some real noise that sends waves throughout the NFL.

Prediction: 10-6

Team MVP: Baker Mayfield

Breakout Player: Nick Chubb

3. Baltimore Ravens

After a successful rookie year, Lamar Jackson will look to lead the Ravens back to the playoffs for the second straight year (via Capital Gazette).

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens surprised a lot of people last year as they took the AFC North crown, led by a nasty defense with timely offense. Now, defenses have had a full offseason to prepare for the immense talent of Jackson, whose unique skills could be once-in-a-generation. Can Jackson lead the Ravens to the playoffs once again, or will they take a step back in a tough division?

Following the Joe Flacco era in Baltimore, the Ravens lucked out by drafting Lamar Jackson and finding immediate success once inserted into the starting lineup. Although he is very raw and unpolished, Jackson has continued to grow and could be a legit NFL star if he continues to put on some awesome offensive clinics. For the second year in a row with Jackson, the Ravens running game should be very strong and a major strength, especially with the addition of former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. With Ingram and Jackson running the ball behind a good offensive line featuring Ronnie Stanley and Marshal Yanda, the Ravens have a strong chance to lead the league in rushing. In terms of their passing attack, the Ravens drafted Marquise Brown (Oklahoma) to give themselves a deep threat and to help Jackson out while throwing the football. Jackson will also look for underrated tight end Mark Andrews very often this season, who has turned heads with a strong camp. Look for this Ravens’ offense to be a great watch in 2019, as they attempt to transform the landscape of the NFL with a unique and interesting scheme featuring the talent of Jackson as their lead signal caller.

Although Jackson was a huge part of why the Ravens made the playoffs in 2018, Baltimore’s top ranked defense in terms of yardage carried this team to the top of the AFC North. Although the Ravens will greatly miss players such as CJ Mosley, Za’Darius Smith, Eric Weddle, and Terrell Suggs, Baltimore still has the makings of a possible top 10 unit. However, they may struggle to rush the passer quite a bit, especially with players such as Matthew Judon, Kenny Young, and Michael Pierce being asked to carry the load. In addition, the Ravens will also call upon Patrick Onwuasor this season to step up at the linebacker position after the hard loss of Mosley. The Ravens’ secondary still remains a major strength, especially with the addition of star safety Earl Thomas. Thomas should bring a fiery mojo to a great secondary that already has Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, and Tony Jefferson, so look for the Ravens to be elite against the pass in a division with Baker Mayfield and Ben Roethlisberger. The Ravens may not be as good on defense from a year ago, but they should still certainly be considered a formidable unit in the modern-day passing culture of the NFL.

Similar to the Panthers in the NFC, the Ravens are one of those teams that can beat any team in the league on any given week? But will they, or will their inconsistencies stand out with talented teams like the Browns and Steelers in their division? Jackson will take a big step in terms of his growth as a franchise quarterback, but a young roster and a tough schedule may limit Baltimore from returning back to the postseason for the second year in a row.

Prediction: 9-7

Team MVP: Earl Thomas

Breakout Player: Justice Hill

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Geno Atkins and the Bengals will look to respond after a rough 2018 season (via Cincy Jungle).

2018 was a sour season for the Cincinnati Bengals, but it was one that finally saw them fire head coach Marvin Lewis after a disappointing 6-10 record. With new head coach Zac Taylor at the helm, the Bengals will look to transform their organization and recover from their past struggles that have haunted them for the last decade. Can Taylor steer the ship in the right direction, or will the Bengals remain the laughingstock of the AFC?

The Bengals head into 2019 as probably the NFL’s most boring team, mostly due to their lack of true impact players that can make a difference. Their most notable player, AJ Green, will begin the season injured and should be out at least until Week 4. To join Green at the wide receiver position is surprising stud Tyler Boyd and underachiever John Ross. Boyd had a great 2018 season, and will look to get a fair share of targets this season. Cincinnati does still have Joe Mixon in their backfield, and he should be just as effective as ever if he can play all 16 games for the Bengals. However, the Bengals offensive line does remain a concern after struggling in 2018, so it will be key to see if they improve in the running and passing game. As for their passing game, Andy Dalton heads into 2019 with very few expectations in what could be his final year as a Bengal. If Dalton and the Bengals struggle early, do not be surprised if they make the move to backup quarterback Ryan Finley, who had a flashy preseason that inspired some real confidence among Bengals’ fans.

Cincy ranked dead last in the league in total yardage for 2018, and their front office did virtually northing to improve themselves on that side of the ball during the offseason. Although they do still have superstar Geno Atkins and contributor Carlos Dunlap on the defensive line, the Bengals do not look like they will be able to get after opposing teams very often with very little depth around those two. In addition, Preston Brown remains their only effective linebacker with any kind of impact, although Nick Vigil and Jordan Evans should also start on defense for them. The Bengals’ secondary was also a major problem last year, and the team retains players such as Dre Kirkpatrick and safety William Jackson. If the Bengals can not improve in this area of their defense after being shredded by quarterbacks for most of 2018, Cincinnati has a real shot of being one of the league’s worst teams.

In one of the toughest divisions in football, the Bengals figure to be one of the league’s worst and least interesting teams. With very few stars, organizational miscommunication, and a lack of direction, Cincinnati does not look like they have a very promising future and should not be any kind of threat in 2019.

Prediction: 4-12

Team MVP: Geno Atkins

Breakout Player: Tyler Boyd

AFC South

1. Houston Texans

Although it was a strange offseason for the Texans, Deshaun Watson and Houston looks to be in position to contend in the AFC (via Football Maven).

With a loaded roster and a superstar quarterback, the Houston Texans should be one of the favorites in the NFL to win this year’s Super Bowl. However, past injuries and questionable decision making in the front office has held Houston back in recent years, leaving doubts about the direction of the team. Is this the year the Texans finally break out and make a deep playoff run?

Even though they struggled in the playoffs a season ago, the Texans’ offense remains one of the most explosive groups in the league, as led by former Clemson star quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Watson is an awesome talent with outstanding leadership skills, and his poise and precision in the pocket has translated well into the NFL to solidify his status as a franchise player. He will need to stay healthy behind an atrocious offensive line, but the Texans did boost their core by trading for left tackle, Laremy Tunsil, to protect Watson. The Texans also lost running back Lamar Miller during the preseason, and now will turn their attention to Duke Johnson to help carry the load in the ground game. Luckily for Houston, they will still have an outstanding passing attack with players such as Will Fuller, Keke Coutee, and monster DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is a ridiculously great receiver on the outside, and truly bails out Watson with his highlight reel of football skills that include a wide array of acrobatic catches and speedy yards after the catch. Houston’s offense went out on a bad note last year, and they’ll need to recover this season in order to get back to the playoffs in 2019.

Although injuries have beaten Houston in recent years, their core group of players on defense remain a dangerous group. Led by future Hall of Famer JJ Watt, the Texans do a great job of getting after the quarterback, even with the loss of Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks. To replace him, the Texans will turn to Whitney Mercilus to help out Watt. At the linebacker position, the Texans will have Benardrick McKinney and Zach Cunningham roaming the field again, which has been a solid group in recent years. While the Texans will miss Kareem Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu in the secondary, they did a solid job of adding Bradley Roby and Tashaun Gipson in the offseason to replace them. Both players will join Johnathan Joseph and Justin Reid in the defensive backfield to help solidify a pass defense that ranked 28th in the NFL a season ago. Watt and the Texans’ defense may not be as dominant as in recent years, but they’re still a complete group full of savvy veterans and fast youngsters.

Houston was exposed in last year’s playoffs against Indianapolis, and they hope to avoid the same results as last year. While they should win their division with the retirement of Andrew Luck, it is hard to imagine them making a deep postseason run against other contenders such as Kansas City and New England. However, you can never count Deshaun Watson out, and look for him to have another eye-opening year for the Texans as they look to reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

Prediction: 9-7

Team MVP: Deshaun Watson

Breakout Player: Keke Coutee

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Eagles’ legend Nick Foles looks to be the quarterback savior that Jacksonville has been looking for (via Arrowhead Pride).

Last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars had some massive expectations that they failed to meet after reaching the AFC Championship Game just a year prior. Now, with a former Super Bowl MVP at quarterback for the Jags, the expectations are back and many expect them to make another postseason push. Will the Jaguars return to their dominant roots from two years ago or will they continue their downward spiral into a full blown rebuild?

Although Nick Foles is not one of the ten best quarterbacks in the NFL, he should be a massive upgrade over the turnover machine known as Blake Bortles. If Foles can take care of the football and make some timely throws on third down, the Jaguars offense will be way better than a season ago. Part of this reason has been due to the emergence of Dede Westbrook in training camp. Westbrook has been Foles’ main target throughout camp, and he could have a major breakout season for the Jags. Westbrook and fellow receiver Marquise Lee make up their most reliable weapons on offense, while running back, Leonard Fournette, will be looking for a comeback season after struggling on the field and with injuries a season ago. If Fournette can return to the version of himself from two years ago, the Jaguars’ offense has a chance to be pretty solid, which could serve them well in tight games as the season moves along. The Jags may not be the best offense in the league, but they should improve off of their efforts from a season ago.

While many may doubt the reliability of the Jaguars’ offense, it is hard to find anyone who doubts what their defense can do. Led by elite corners Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye in the secondary, Jacksonville is flat out lethal against the pass and can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best quarterbacks. In addition, the Jags also have a strength at linebacker, where Myles Jack has been a force throughout his young career. Yet what makes this defense so special is its’ defensive line and their ability to harass opposing offenses. With huge stars such as Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus, Yannick Ngakoue, and rookie Josh Allen (Kentucky) constantly putting pressure on offenses, the Jaguars can create a lot of unease by forcing turnovers and racking up some huge sacks numbers. The Jaguars’ defense has not lost much since their run to the AFC Championship Game two seasons ago, and they should once again be a real threat to be the #1 defense in football with playmakers all over the field.

Jacksonville does have some interesting potential to make it back to the postseason, especially in the most wide-open division in the NFL. In addition, Foles will certainly be better than Blake Bortles, which should take some pressure off their great defense. But will Foles be good enough to take them back to the postseason? That is a harder question that many people, including us, have some serious doubts about. Foles and the defense will be solid, but fall just short of making it back to the postseason.

Prediction: 8-8

Team MVP: Jalen Ramsey

Breakout Player: Dede Westbrook

3. Tennessee Titans

In a wide-open AFC South, the Titans will look to climb the mountain toward the top after Andrew Luck’s retirement (via Flipboard).

Perhaps the league’s most frustrating and unpredictable team, the Tennessee Titans have been impossible to figure out in recent seasons. With major injuries in past seasons to key contributors and inconsistent play against weaker opponents, the Titans are a puzzle that many have not been able to solve yet. Will their unpredictability translate into wins in 2019, or will they once again let many people down throughout the league?

Despite their inconsistent play, the Titans do have some interesting players on offense that have some great potential. Starting with an offensive line led by Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, the Titans have been able to block relatively well in recent years despite injuries to their franchise quarterback. Marcus Mariota has had a very up-and-down career so far full of wild play, but he is still a solid passer when healthy and provides some huge plays on the ground with his legs in space. If Mariota doe not fix his health issues or poor play this year, he will likely be on his way out the door for the organization. To surround him on offense, the Titans have running backs Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry, who have both had some bright moments in recent years. In addition, Tennessee has Corey Davis and Adam Humphries on the outside, who should both have solid seasons if they stay healthy. The key to this offense is simple: health. If their starters can stay healthy and avoid beating themselves in close games, the Titans could surprise fans across the league with a run at the AFC South crown.

Tennessee’s defense does not gather a ton of headlines, but they quietly ranked 8th in the league in total yardage in 2018. If they can repeat that performance or even build upon it, the Titans could be a formidable unit. While they do not have a ton of defensive stars, they are led by stud safety Kevin Byard, who helps patrol the secondary. With Byard, Malcom Butler, Adoree’ Jackson, Kenny Vaccaro, and Logan Ryan, the Titans actually have a solid secondary that is one of the league’s best. Elsewhere, the Titans still have longtime linebacker Wesley Woodyard in the middle, as well as Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown. Rounding out the defense on the line are players such as Jurrell Casey and Cameron Wake, both of whom have had solid careers thus far. If Casey and the defensive line can generate more sacks this season to cause some errant throws in the secondary, the Titans defense could take off. Tennessee is a dangerous defense heading into 2019 with some sneaky potential to rank among the league’s best at the end of the season.

Head coach Mike Vrabel is a very solid coach with a bright future, but this team has too many problems across the board on offense to receive a lot of credit. Although they may shock some teams with some very surprising wins, it is hard to imagine Tennessee racking up any more than seven, eight, or nine wins. Even though the defense will show up all season long, the Titans will disappoint in 2019 again, forcing the organization to make some seriously hard choices on what to do with Marcus Mariota in the offseason.

Prediction: 7-9

Team MVP: Kevin Byard

Breakout Player: Adoree’ Jackson

4. Indianapolis Colts

T.Y. Hilton will look to help carry the load for the Colts’ offense in 2019 (via Sporting News).

Indianapolis faces a steep uphill climb back to the top of the AFC South following the shocking retirement of quarterback, Andrew Luck. With Luck gone and Jacoby Brissett stepping up as the Colts’ starter, can Indy get back on track and prove their doubters wrong?

In his first season with the Colts, head coach Frank Reich helped turn around the Colts’ offense to make them one of the more potent units in the league. With Luck now retired after a great season a year ago, Jacoby Brissett will step into the starting role for the Colts. It is hard to have high expectations for the young Brissett, but Reich should be able to tutor the youngster into a solid starting quarterback for the Colts. Part of the reason that Brissett may have a solid year is his good supporting cast, including a dominant offensive line with players like Quenton Nelson and Anthony Castonzo. If the Indy line can block for their quarterback and keep him upright, the Indianapolis’ offense may be better than expected. In addition, the Colts have a receiving core of players such as Devin Funchess, Parris Campbell, and star player T.Y. Hilton, all of whom should play a key role in their offense. The Colts also have a dynamic group of tight ends with Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron, two players that should be able to catch a lot of passes from Brissett this season. If Indianapolis can have a strong passing game in addition to a solid running attack led by Marlon Mack, the Colts can have a good group on offense with potential to surprise some teams.

The Colts’ defense was a surprisingly solid group last season and really helped them get into the playoffs as a wild card team last year. The star player of their defense is middle linebacker Darius Leonard, who is already one of the best linebackers in football in only his second season. If Leonard can put together another massive season, Indy will be very good against the run and in coverage in the middle of the field. On the defensive line, the Colts have pass rushers Justin Houston and Jabaal Sheard, two players who can possibly rack up double digit sacks. The Colts’ secondary does not look great on paper, but even they put together a nice season last year with little known names such as Kenny Moore, Pierre Desir, Clayton Geathers, and Malik Hooker. If Indy can shut down opposing passers in their own division, the Colts will have a real shot at shocking the world and winning the AFC South. Indianapolis’ defense will likely have to carry the team more this season than last following the retirement of Luck, and it will be interesting to see if they are capable of being a top 10 defense in football.

Many analysts still believe that the Colts are in a decent enough position to win the AFC South and that Brissett will step up in a huge way. Brissett may rise to the occasion and have a solid season for Indy, but they may struggle in close game situations with Luck now retired, who thrived in 4th quarter games consistently. Indy’s future is promising but unclear, but they will struggle quite a bit in their first year without their former superstar quarterback.

Prediction: 6-10

Team MVP: Darius Leonard

Breakout Player: Parris Campbell

Final Playoff Predictions

Can the Chiefs’ offense carry Kansas City all the way to the Super Bowl in Miami? (via Arrowhead Pride)

1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)

2. New England Patriots (12-4)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

4. Houston Texans (9-7)

5. Cleveland Browns (10-6)

6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)

Wild Card:

Cleveland over Houston

Pittsburgh over Los Angeles

Divisional:

New England over Cleveland

Kansas City over Pittsburgh

AFC Championship:

Kansas City over New England

AFC Champion: Kansas City Chiefs