 Welcome To The New Season – AFC
by Rob Staton
10/5/2008
Welcome to the 2008 NFL season!
Ok, so there's still about 120 days until the big kick off. But with the draft in the books and mini-camps under way, it's time to start looking ahead. We start with the AFC in taking a peak at what expectations are at this stage and how difficult those schedules look.
We also predict the best and worse case scenarios for each team in 2008.
(...Check Here For NFC Analysis...)
AFC East
 New England Patriots
Super Bowl runners up curse anyone? It's unlikely considering the Pats compete in the AFC East. Even a sub standard campaign should see them ease to the division title. Their unbeaten 2007 regular season will be given greater emphasis when they likely fail to repeat that achievement in 2008. If this is a dynasty they will return to the Super Bowl and hope to go one better.
08 Schedule Difficulty – D+
Schedule Highlight – Taking on the Colts at the brand New Lucas Oil Stadium
Best Case: Patriot Perfection 16-0
Worst Case: Not so perfect pats: 10-6
Buffalo Bills
Or should we start calling them the Toronto Bills? Ok, maybe not just yet. Back to back 7-9 seasons and the Bills are hopeful of ending a playoff drought that stretches back to 2000. Much will depend on the play of young QB Trent Edwards and second year running back Marshawn Lynch. They will likely need 10 wins to get into the playoffs and will target a wild card.
08 Schedule Difficulty – B
Schedule Highlight – The visit to Canada to tackle the division rival Dolphins.
Best Case: Buffalo Bills 9-7
Worst Case: Toronto Bills 6-10
New York Jets
The Jets went to work in the off season and made a big splash in signing Alan Faneca, Damien Woody and Calvin Pace. Throw into the mix 1st rounder Vernon Gholston, and the front line on both offense and defense should be improved. There are still question marks about the QB position though and the performance from that position could make or break their season.
08 Schedule Difficulty – C
Schedule Highlight – Still looking for that spygate revenge, the Jets/Pats game at Meadowlands will be interesting.
Best Case: Flying high 10-6
Worst Case: Can we borrow Bill's camera? 5-11
Miami Dolphins
It's not so much a face lift as a reincarnation for the Dolphins this off season. The Tuna is in town and with almost a complete overhaul of the front office and playing staff this will be a very different Dolphins franchise in 2008. If they can get some production from one of their QB's (expect Josh McCown to start on day one) then they could surprise some people.
08 Schedule Difficulty – C
Schedule Highlight – They got their only win against Baltimore in 2007 and they face off again this year with former head coach Cam Cameron now offensive coordinator for the Ravens.
Best Case: Top Tuna 8-8
Worst Case: Tuna Phinished 4-12
AFC North
 Pittsburgh Steelers
Who needs an offensive line when you have a QB the size of a centre? Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers do actually. They've invested $102 million in Big Ben and he took 47 sacks last season. Top two draft picks Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed will help from day one, and the Steelers will have a potent offense if they can keep their QB on his feet (or away from motor cycles). No team has retained the AFC North title since it's induction in 2002.
08 Schedule Difficulty – A+
Schedule Highlight – Having to face the Jaguars, Giants, Colts, Chargers, Patriots and Cowboys in the regular season.
Best Case: Heinz Sauce 11-5
Worst Case: Daddy's Sauce 7-9
Cleveland Browns
What's this? People expecting the Browns to challenge for the division title? Surely not! Hang on a minute though, there's a quarter back controversy on the horizon. Derek Anderson made the pro-bowl last year, but if he starts badly in 2008 you can bet Brady Quinn will get a mention. Anderson's first two games? The Cowboys and the Steelers. Not easy.
08 Schedule Difficulty – A
Schedule Highlight – Ending the season at Heinz Field. If everything goes to plan, this could be a division decider.
Best Case: Golden Brown 10-6
Worst Case: Brown stain 5-11
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy are the AFC's soap opera team. Players getting arrested, Chad Johnson brooding in the background like Kim Tate and teams kept trading up to take away their targets in the draft. On the plus side, they have one of the best QB's in the business. Simply because of Carson Palmer, they will always have a shot.
08 Schedule Difficulty – A
Schedule Highlight – If Chad stays and plays, it'll be interesting to see who wins the battle of the egos between Johnson and T.O. in Dallas.
Best Case: Bengal Tiger 10-6
Worst Case: Bengal Brasserie 6-10
Baltimore Ravens
A fresh era for the Ravens means a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator and a new QB. It may also mean a steep learning curb for all concerned, especially considering the tough schedule. If Flacco can get some experience, not to mention the rookie head coach, then it won't be a wasted season.
08 Schedule Difficulty – A-
Schedule Highlight – The revenge mission in Miami.
Best Case: Raven' Success 9-7
Worst Case: Kyle Boller 4-12
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
 The Colts haven't won less than 10 games for six years, and Peyton and co will be hoping for more success if this is going to be Tony Dungy's final season. They are facing the toughest AFC South division in a long time so it'll be a good test for Indy in their brand new shiny stadium. I think calling it Lucas Oil Stadium is one of the better 'sponsor named' arenas.
08 Schedule Difficulty – B+
Schedule Highlight – The first regular season game at Lucas Oil against the Ravens, followed by the second regular season game against the Patriots.
Best Case: Well Oiled 12-4
Worst Case: Sugar in the gas tank 10-6
Jacksonville Jaguars
How do you stop the Colts? You draft two pass rushers with your first two picks and hope to put him on his backside several times a game. A lot is expected of Jack Del Rio and his team as they target their first AFC South title. A side issue could be the recent resurfacing of interest in taking a team to L.A. If the Jaguars can't sell out their games, they could find a new home.
08 Schedule Difficulty – C
Schedule Highlight – The two games against the Colts that will show just how good this team really are.
Best Case: Pass Rush 11-5
Worst Case: Peyton Pass 8-8
Tennessee Titans
This is a big year for Vince Young. With so much hype about the draft class of 2006, it's been universally declared that Mario Williams has been a success so far, and Reggie Bush hasn't. There are mixed opinions about Young. The signing of veteran Alge Crumpler could be a saving grace, giving Young the target Michael Vick thrived on in Atlanta.
08 Schedule Difficulty - B
Schedule Highlight – Jacksonville on opening day. Could be a cracker.
Best Case: Viva Las Vegas 10-6
Worst Case: Return to Sender 7-9
Houston Texans
Having achieved the first non-losing season in franchise history in 2007 (8-8), the Texans will be hoping for their first winning season in 2008. Can Matt Schaub stay fit? Will they rely on Sage Rosenfels again? They have a chance to be successful, but they really need consistency at the QB position. Drafting Duane Brown will give whoever starts some much needed protection.
08 Schedule Difficulty – C
Schedule Highlight – Three home fixtures in October before their bye week gives them a chance to start the season on the front foot.
Best Case: Franchise landmark 9-7
Worst Case: Status Quo 6-10
AFC West
San Diego Chargers
 Big mouth Phillip Rivers won over his critics in helping the Chargers reach the AFC Championship game. If he's back to full fitness he can push on from here and help them return for another shot at the Super Bowl. This team has a roster full of stars with only a few minor holes. Anything other than another deep playoff run will be seen as underachievement.
08 Schedule Difficulty – C+
Schedule Highlight – Taking part in the International Series against the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium.
Best Case: Fully Charged 13-3
Worst Case: Blown a fuse 9-7
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are at a crossroads heading into 2008. A good season and they will be well placed, with confidence restored in head coach Mike Shanahan and young QB Jay Cutler. Another disappointing season though and heads could roll. The defense needs to step up, but ultimately it's the play of Cutler that is crucial. Can he deliver in his third season as a pro? One thing you can rely on is a good running game at the Mile High, but it's not enough on its own.
Schedule Difficulty – B
Schedule Highlight – The games against the Chargers. It'll be fun to see if Jay Cutler has any retaliation to Phil Rivers ridiculous taunting last year.
Best Case: Mile High 10-6
Worst Case: Bucking Bronco 6-10
Kansas City Chiefs
Currently drowning in their numerous A+ draft grades, it's time for some perspective. Glenn Dorsey fell into their laps, and Branden Albert hasn't played much left tackle. With that out of the way, what does 2008 hold for the Chiefs? Not much if they can't get some production from their passing game. Brodie Croyle is in last chance saloon. They've also lost Jared Allen's production. On the positive, the addition of Jamaal Charles solidifies a sound running game.
Schedule Difficulty – C
Schedule Highlight – Which game would you want to avoid on opening day? Patriots away? Unlucky.
Best Case: Big Chiefs 9-7
Worst Case: Big Chuffs 4-12
Oakland Raiders
It's been a rollercoaster ride for Raiders fans this off season. After throwing around money in free agency like he's printing it, Al Davies traded for DeAngelo Hall. Then he drafted Run DMC to play alongside Huggy Bear Jr. and QB 'Big JaMarcus'. They might not win many games, but at least they're entertaining. You suspect it'll be the same old Raiders, high expectations but ultimately drafting in the top 5 again in 2009.
Schedule Difficulty – C+
Schedule Highlight – DeAngelo Hall facing his old team could be amusing, but the highlight is week 1 against Denver. It could set the tone for their season.
Best Case: Raider renaissance 9-7
Worst Case: Same old Raiders 4-12
Check Here For NFC Analysis
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