2014 NFL Preview of the AFC: Patriots and Broncos Lead the Pack
There are a few stand outs in the AFC this coming year and one of them has to be the Denver Broncos, currently the +220 favorite in the NFL futures to return to the Superbowl. As long as Peyton Manning is at the controls, the Broncos are going to be considered one of the contenders. But who else has a genuine opportunity?
Let’s take a closer look at the contenders from the AFC:
Denver Broncos +220
Last Season: 13-3, First in AFC West, Lost Super Bowl 43-8 to Seattle
Let’s get back to the Denver situation for a second. The Broncos are most certainly in one of the more challenging divisions, as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers both made the playoffs out of the AFC West. But Manning, throughout his career, has been known to create stars out of his receivers; he did that with his whole crew in Denver, including Demarius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Eric Decker. Although they lost Eric Decker in the off-season, they replaced him with Emmanuel Sanders from the Pittsburgh Steelers. So they should be alright in that category. And one gets the feeling that DeMarcus Ware, who was cut by the Dallas Cowboys, might be determined enough to find himself a second life in the Mile High City. If he gets going, NFL futures bettors can only imagine the pass rush he could generate with Von Miller. New Players: DE DeMarcus Ware, CB Aqib Talib, WR Emmanuel Sanders, and rookie WR Cody Latimer. Gone are RB Knowshon Moreno, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and WR Eric Decker.
New England Patriots +320
Last Season: 12-4, Fitst in AFC East, lost AFC Championship Game
The New England Patriots are the first team that comes to mind. The Pats, who experienced a shakeup in the passing game last season with the arrest of Aaron Hernandez and injuries to Rob Gronkowski, might be more stabilized at tight end this year IF Gronk can get through an entire season healthy. Julian Edelman is coming into his own in the role of Wes Welker as Tom Brady’s number one possession receiver and if Stevan Ridley can figure out how to hang on to the football, their running game should be sound as well. They also beefed up their defense by signing CB Darrell Revis, DE Will Smith and CB Brandon Browner among others. All football bettors know that one way or another, Bill Belichick and his staff can configure their personnel to win games, and they may not have legitimate competition for the AFC East title. That means we are probably looking at another playoff berth for Tom Brady & Co., and that is reflected in the +320 odds that are placed on this team to be the AFC champs. Newcomers: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Brandon Browner, rookie DL Dominique Easley, S Patrick Chung, WR Brandon LaFell, DE Will Smith, and LB James Anderson. Losses: RB LeGarrette Blount, CB Aqib Talib, LB, Brandon Spikes, LB Dane Fletcher, and TE Matthew Mulligan.
Indianapolis Colts +1000
Last Season: 11-5, First in AFC South, Lost AFC Divisional Round
The Indianapolis Colts (+1000 to win the AFC) can obviously be a threat with Andrew Luck, quickly becoming the master of the fourth-quarter comeback, at the helm, but they simply have to get stiffer on defense, because teams can run on them. Key additions: DL Arthur Jones, WR Hakeem Nicks, and LB D’Qwell Jackson. Gone are RB Donald Brown, FS Antoine Bethea, OT Jeff Linkenbach, LB Kavell Conner, G Mike McGlynn, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, and CB Cassius Vaughn.
Pittsburgh Steelers +1300
Last Season: 8-8; Tied for Second in AFC North, Missed Playoffs
Oddsmakers are showing a lot of faith in the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are +1300 in the football betting odds to win the conference. For the Steelers, who won six of their last eight games in 2013, to make a dent, they’ll have to get continued success out of the no-huddle approach, and need to run the ball much better. We’ll see if LeGarrette Blount can provide a worthy complement to Le’Veon Bell in the backfield. Newcomers: Rookie RB Dri Archer, RB LeGarrette Blount, rookie WR Martavis Bryant, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, CB Brice McCain, S Mike Mitchell, LB Arthur Moats, WR Lance Moore, P Adam Podlesh, rookie LB Ryan Shazier, DT Cam Thomas, rookie DE Stephon Tuitt, and P Brad Wing. Lost: S Ryan Clark, WR Jerrico Cotchery, RB Jonathan Dwyer, LB Larry Foote, DE Ziggy Hood, RB Felix Jones, DE Brett Keisel, P Mat McBriar, WR Emmanuel Sanders, RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, OL Fernando Velasco, LB LaMarr Woodley, and NT Al Woods
Baltimore Ravens +1400
Last Season: 8-8, Tied for Second in AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens had the Super Bowl “hangover” last season, and to be perfectly honest, the consistency of quarterback Joe Flacco is going to remain an issue. They have definitely taken a step back from their championship season in 2012, but you can never rule out this premier franchise. Newcomers: WR Steve Smith, OL Jeremy Zuttah, TE Owen Daniels, rookie MLB C.J. Mosley, rookie DT Timmy Jernigan, and rookie S Terrence Brooks. Key losses: RT Michael Oher, S James Ihedigbo, CB Corey Graham, DE Arthur Jones, TE Ed Dickson, and NT Terrance Cody.
Cincinnati Bengals +1400
Last Season: 11-5: First place AFC North; Lost in AFC Wild Card
The Cincinnati Bengals, who won the AFC North last year over Baltimore and Pittsburgh, gave Andy Dalton a very big contract extension, but is he capable enough to get them over their playoff disappointments? Last season they won all eight regular season games at Paul Brown Stadium, only to lose in the wild card round to San Diego. New roster additions: rookie CB Darqueze Dennard, rookie RB Jeremy Hill, QB Jason Campbell, and DB Danieal Manning. Lost: DE Michael Johnson, OT Anthony Collins, C Kyle Cook, and WR Andrew Hawkins.
San Diego Chargers +1600
Last Season: 9-7, Third in AFC West, Lost AFC Divisional Game
And speaking of the Chargers (+1600), they should be able to build in the resurrection of their offense behind Philip Rivers, and they are deeper at the receiver spot. But the opinion of many football bettors is that defense is going to hold them back. They signed RB Donald Brown, CB Brandon Flowers, and QB Kellen Clemens in the off-season but lost CB Derek Cox, QB Charlie Whitehurst, and FB Le’Ron McClain.
Kansas City Chiefs +2000
Last Season: 11-5, Second place in AFC West, Lost AFC Wild-Card
The Chargers will again battle with the Kansas City Chiefs (+2000), who clearly won the turnover battle last season under Andy Reid, but couldn’t get the job done against better teams. The schedule is tougher, and what if the TO’s even out a little? Key players Alex Smith, Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles must stay healthy for this to work. Newcomers: WR Weston Dressler, rookie OLB Dee Ford, OL Jeff Linkenbach, ILB Joe Mays, CB Chris Owens, rookie RB De’Anthony Thomas, and DL Vance Walker. Gone are OT Branden Albert, G Jon Asamoah, KR/DB Quintin Demps, DE Tyson Jackson, FS Kendrick Lewis, WR/KR Dexter McCluster, DT Jerrell Powe, and OL Geoff Schwartz.
Houston Texans +2500
Last Season: 2-14, Fourth in AFC South
The Texans took Jadeveon Clowney with the first draft pick, and first year coach Bill O’Brien will try to get by with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. That might be an uphill battle. New in town: Rookie LB Jadeveon Clowney, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, S Kendrick Lewis, DT Jerrell Powe, and rookie NT Louis Nix III. Gone are QB Matt Schaub, TE Owen Daniels, RB Ben Tate, DT Earl Mitchell, DE Antonio Smith, S Danieal Manning, CB Brice McCain, LB Darryl Sharpton, LB Joe Mays, and QB T.J. Yates.
Miami Dolphins +2500
Last Season: 8-8, Third in AFC East
The Miami Dolphins (+2500 in the NFL odds) will have to get a “coming of age” season out of Ryan Tannehill, Mike Wallace and Knowshon Moreno. It’s as simple as that and there’s not much else to say about Joe Philbin’s group. Newcomers: OL Brandon Albert, DB Louis Delmas, DB Cortland Finnegan, rookie OL Ja’Wuan James, RB Knowshon Moreno, and OL Shelley Smith. Losses: DB Chris Clemons, OL Richie Incognito, OL Jonathan Martin, and DL Paul Soliai.
New York Jets +3000
Last Season: 8-8, Tied for second in AFC East, Missed Playoffs
As for the New York Jets, they are looking for some real progress on the part of Geno Smith, but they have Michael Vick just in case that doesn’t happen. If they can do the “ground and pound,” with Chris Ivory and newly signed Chris Johnson, they’ll be happy. They also added Eric Decker to what was a pretty anemic receiving corps. The biggest concern right now is the defensive secondary, where inexperience may offset the real power of their defensive front. New additions to the roster: rookie TE Jace Amaro, WR Eric Decker, rookie WR Shaq Evans, OT Breno Giacomini, RB Chris Johnson, CB Dimitri Patterson, rookie S Calvin Pryor, rookie WR Jalen Saunders, and QB Michael Vick. Gone are CB Antonio Cromartie, WR Santonio Holmes, OT Austin Howard, S Ed Reed, QB Mark Sanchez, and TE Kellen Winslow.
Buffalo Bills +4000
Last Season: 6-10, Fourth in AFC East
The Buffalo Bills (+4000 to win the AFC) have added weaponry in the persons of Sammy Watkins and Bryce Brown, but again, it is up to the development of a quarterback – in their case, EJ Manuel, who didn’t embarrass himself as a rookie. They also need a stronger performance out of what should be a decent defense. Newcomers: Rookie WR Sammy Watkins, LB Brandon Spikes, LB Keith Rivers, CB Corey Graham, rookie OL Cyrus Kouandjio, and rookie OL Cyril Richardson. Lost: S Jairus Byrd, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine
Cleveland Browns +4000
Last Season: 4-12, Fourth in AFC North
The Cleveland Browns (+4000), mostly because of the presence of rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel, are an interesting proposition. We’ll see how long it is before he’s the starter. They added RB Ben Tate, WR Andrew Hawkins and LB Karlos Dansby among others and they have some real weapons, but inexperience and a tough division could spell last place once again for the Browns. Newcomers include S Donte Whitner, LB Karlos Dansby, RB Ben Tate, CB Justin Gilbert, QB Johnny Manziel, WR Nate Burleson, WR Andrew Hawkins, and RB Terrance West. They lost LB D’Qwell Jackson, DB T.J. Ward, WR Greg Little, and QB Brandon Weeden.
Tennessee Titans +4000
Last Season: 7-9, Second in AFC South
We’ll see how long the Tennessee Titans, under a new coach (Ken Whisenhunt) will stay patient with Jake Locker if he doesn’t any progress. They are +4000 in the NFL futures odds to win the AFC.
Newcomers: LB Wesley Woodyard, OT Michael Oher, LB Shaun Phillips, RB/PR Dexter McCluster, RB Bishop Sankey, and OT Taylor Lewan. Left Town: RB Chris Johnson, CB Alterraun Verner, OT David Stewart, PK Rob Bironas, and WR Kenny Britt.
Oakland Raiders +10000
Last Season: 4-12, Fourth in AFC West
The Oakland Raiders (+10000) are going to be a longshot unless Matt Schaub, who went through a horrific experience last year in Houston, gets back to his Pro Bowl form. They were very active in the draft and free agency, signing RB Maurice Jones-Drew, DE Justin Tuck, OT Austin Howard, LB Lamarr Woodley, DE Antonio Smith, G Kevin Boothe, WR James Jones, DE C.J. Wilson, T Donald Penn, CB Tarell Brown, and CB Carlos Rogers. Gone are OT Jared Veldheer, DE Lamarr Houston, RB Rashad Jennings, CB Philip Adams, WR Jacoby Ford, and CB Tracy Porter. All in all, it’s probably going to last place once again for the Silver and Black in a very tough division.
Jacksonville Jaguars +12000
Last Season: 4-12, Third in AFC South
And pulling up the rear are the Jacksonville Jaguars, at +12000, who will probably devote this season to transitioning from journeyman QB Chad Henne to rookie QB Blake Bortles. For their sake, we hope they handle that smoothly, or else there will be a coaching transition as well! Newcomers include: Rookie QB Blake Bortles, RB Toby Gerhart, G Zane Beadles, DE Red Bryant, DE Chris Clemons, DT Ziggy Hood, and LB Dekoda Watson. Gone are RB Maurice Jones-Drew, QB Blaine Gabbert, C Brad Meester, DE Jason Babin, and LB Russell Allen.
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