Today, we'll take a look at the AFC.
AFC East:
Buffalo let receiver Stefon Diggs walk (Houston), just as they did with Devin Singletary last year. Singletary, of course, moved from Houston to the Giants this year. Hmmmmm. Do the Bills have enough weapons left for another playoff run? We'll soon see.
New England promoted from within with former defensive lineman-turned-coach Jerod Mayo taking over for Bill Belichick. That may be the spark they need. The Mac Jones era is over, and they're starting from scratch, although bringing back Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis) is meant to be a transitional phase. The Jets have to hope Aaron Rodgers can play beyond the 1st offensive series of the season. Gang Green gets the Monday night opener for the 2nd straight year as a make-good for Rodgers' season-ending injury last year, even though the Jets beat Buffalo in OT. However, San Francisco isn't Buffalo, and a healthy Rodgers isn't going to be enough.
Miami doesn't look like they needed to do much in the off-season, and, if Buffalo does fold, the division is theirs, not the Jets, for the taking.
Projected order of finish:
1. Miami.
2. Buffalo.
3. Jets.
3 (tie). New England.
AFC North:
Mike Tomlin has left himself open for 2nd and 3rd guessing in Pittsburgh. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson (Denver) and Justin Fields (Chicago) in the off-season while sending Kenny Pickett to in-state rival Philadelphia. From what I saw, Wilson still has it, but in spurts, as a 13 year veteran. People will say there's a reason Chicago gave up on Fields too soon, but from what I saw, that might've been a premature decision.
Cincinnati gets Joe Burrow back to start the new year, though Jake Browning showed what he could do in a pinch last season. Cleveland tried a stunt last year in bringing YouTube star & boxer Jake Paul to training camp, but it went no further. Another Cleveland area product, WWE's Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, would've been a better bet. He was, at least, a star running back in high school before MTV called some 20-odd years ago. DeShaun Watson should be healthy and ready for a full season. Baltimore stands pat, and why not? Lamar Jackson should be able to have a better year than last year.
Projected order of finish:
1. Baltimore.
2. Pittsburgh.
2 (tie). Cincinnati.
4. Cleveland.
AFC South:
Tennessee made a gamble, and let 2022 #1 draft pick Malik Willis walk, then cut Ryan Tannehill last week, meaning 2nd year QB Will Levis is the starter. A questionable decision at best. Houston should get more mileage out of CJ Stroud in year 2, and maybe make a deep playoff run. I wouldn't discount Indianapolis if Anthony Richardson is healthy for a full season. Jacksonville acquired Mac Jones (New England) to be Trevor Lawrence's caddy, and not much else.
Translated, not much has changed.
Projected order of finish:
1. Houston.
2. Indianapolis.
3. Jacksonville.
4. Tennessee.
AFC West:
Can Kansas City 3-peat? No NFL team, not New England, not Pittsburgh, not Dallas, not Green Bay, no one has done it. And KC added Marquise "Hollywood" Brown (Arizona) to their receiving corps, while Kadarius Toney has his head on a swivel. Network cameras will still obsess over Taylor Swift if she attends a game to cheer on Travis Kelce. Travis might need an extra gig, and I don't mean as a game show host. He already has that. Patrick Mahomes has added a new endorsement deal, this time with Dick's World of Sport, if you've already seen it.
Las Vegas brought in Gardner Minshew, tired of being Jalen Hurts' caddy in Philadelphia, to be their starter. Last chance for Minshew, in this writer's opinion. Zack Wilson (Jets) takes over for Russell Wilson in Denver. I don't extpect much improvement. Los Angeles needs help.
Projected order of finish:
1. Kansas City.
2. Las Vegas.
3. Los Angeles.
4. Denver.
Of course, I could be wrong.
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