2007: NFL Season Preview - AFC
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We are going to begin our discusion in the AFC, which seems like the dominating conference out of the two. The AFC has won 8 out of the last 10 Super Bowls. The only two NFC champs in the last 10 are the 2002 Buccaneers and the 1999 Rams. Now first we are going to break down these 16 teams by division.
AFC East: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins.
My opinion is the Patriots, they have won the last five AFC East titles and 6 out of the last 7. I doubt that its going to be a while, even after Brady departs before another squad steps up. At this moment I see no shot for the Dolphins or the Bills. First off Buffalo in my opinion lost way to much on defense this off-season, their three defensive stars are gone, Willis McGahee is gone replaced by rookie RB Marshawn Lynch who needs to start imediatly to make a impact becuase this defense looks like they may finish last in the league and with rook Trent Edwards or potential starter J.P. Losman taking the snaps it does not look good in Buffalo on either side of the ball. As for Miami I was shocked that they passed for Brady Quinn even if they now have Trent Green, Trent does not have many years left in the tank. It would have been smart to bring Quinn down, sit him on the bench for a few games so he could learn from Trent, than give Quinn some starting time so he can be ready for next year. Who cares about the rookie of the year award both the Dolphins and the Browns want to win the title and neither will. Now I do give them so credit for getting Trent, but they propably should not have let Daunte go, what if something happens to Trent, eh. But its to late now. I see things all right, they still have rookie John Beck who could learn from Green, they got Ronnie Brown, Ted Ginn seems like their only known receiver. They seem average on offense. They have a overload of CB's and with Joey Porter working with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor their defense might be a season supriser. Right now I have the Bills finishing 4th in their division, and the Dolphins finish 3rd. The Bills will have the worst offense and defense in their division, the Dolphins will have the 2nd best defense but the 2nd worst offense. Next up is the New York Jets. First off, on defense whos name is going to be shouted at every game and who will need to step up and represent the Jets defense? Jonathan Vilma, hell hes all they really have on defense, he really needs to step up and make a huge impact but so does the rest of that d. Their offense unlike the Dolphins is better than their defense. On offense I think Chad Pennington, the comeback player of the year, can try and double or triple his comeback performance. The offense is not perfect in any way, they have only one receivers who people may actually know who the hell he is, Laverauneus Coles. That RB core though looks hot, maybe the best running back core in the division. With Thomas Jones, Cedric Houston, and Curtis Martin, they got the RB's covered for a few years. But besides the five names I mentioned, four being on offense, who else is known on the team? The Jets will finish second in the division and have the second worst defense and the second best offense. As for the New England Patriots you know they are going to finish first in the division, maybe the conference, and most likely the NFL. They will also have the best offense and defense in their division. Their offense, rock solid. Tom Brady takes the snaps, one of last years top rookies, Laurence Maroney rushing the ball and Kevin Faulk, who has good backup experience, to back him up. Veteran Troy Brown, superstar Randy Moss, all-pro's Donte Stallworth and Reche Caldwell, last years top rookie receiver Chad Jackson who seems to have something to prove. Tight End Ben Watson and Kyle Brady in to replace Daniel Graham. A solid offensive line led by Matt Light, a powerful defensive line led by Richard Seymour. A defense led by faces like Mike Vrabel, Tedy Brushci, Rodney Harrison, hopefully Assante if this hold out works out. They are unstopable, on paper they have the best offense and defense in the league. We can only wait and see what happens. Also keep your eye on Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski, the boy can kick a ball and for a kicker he can sure tackle. Personally I have the Bills going 3-13, the Dolphins go 6-10, the Jets go 10-6 and make the playofs but lose in the wild card, and the Pats go 15-1 if not 16-0 and win the Super Bowl against the New Orleans Saints.
