AFC Predictions, NFC, rookies, and Big East to come later

So every goddamn news outlet and their mother predict the results of the year in football. I will quickly do this for the AFC and NFC separately, as well as my predictions for the top rookies in another post. I'm tempted to offer no explanations for my picks, a la Kige Ramsey ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtoF0BReRNc )but although hilarious to offer no explanation for picks, I will explain anyway.

AFC East: Pats, Jets, Dolphins, Bills

The Pats will be dominant once again. Straight Cash Moss on the loose. My only issue with this squad is their corners, who are young, but come highly drafted and highly touted. They have gotten by with next to no corners for years and been fine though. Their ILB depth is improving and getting younger. Look for Mayo to have a breakout season. The Jets will play looser and better on defense with Rex Ryan, who I believe is a truly excellent coach, but a rookie under center in a tough division will make it difficult to leapfrog the Pats this year. The Dolphins will continue to run the option (wildcat) with success, with Pat White getting his feet wet, along with Ronnie Brown having a monster season. They found an equalizer to let them compete against far more talented teams last year with this scheme, but what will they do this year to compete again? The roster is slowly getting upgraded, however (Tuna!). Lastly, the Bills just don't have the offensive line to compete against the monster Jets and Pats lines, and face a tough schedule and sure implosion from TO.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ronnie Brown, Sean Smith (CB), Jerod Mayo, Terrance Wheatley, Leon Washington, Marcus Stroud

AFC North: Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns

Pittsburgh overcomes a porous (though improved) offensive line to kick the shit out of the entire division. Tomlin is the best young coach in the league, by far. The guy was born to coach. The team also lost almost no one after their Super Bowl win. There will be no hangover with this team. The Bengals, if Palmer can get over his ankle issue and whatever the issue of the day is thereafter, have the talent now on both sides of the ball to be impressive. I'm predicting a big year for them. The Ravens have lost too much personnel wise on defense to win this division, and with Rex Ryan gone as well, that D will not be as dominant as years past. Can I just say that Ray Lewis is downright fat now? The dude is a shadow of his former self. Just because he can still talk the talk doesn't mean that he is the same player he once was. He had no business at the Pro Bowl last year. Not saying that he isn't probably the best motivational leader on the field in the last 10 years, but still. Don't act like he's Jesus on the field still. Lastly, the Browns. Oh, the Browns. Mangini now, too. Ha, ha ha. I will say that their 3-4 has the potential, and SHOULD improve greatly this year under Mangini.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Braylon Edwards will be back, Cedric Benson, Shaun Rogers, D'Quell Jackson, Jared Gaither.

AFC South: Titans, Colts, Texans, Jaguars

The Titans take this division because their personnel at this point far exceeds that of the Colts. The Titans will run the ball effectively all year, particularly the zone cutback run they did all of last year. My pick for MVP is Chris Johnson, and I think Lendale will have himself a huge year as well. Add in super rookie Kenny Britt and it's gonna be lights out. The Colts flounder with the regime change and changing of the guard at receiver with Manning's timing off. He will carry the team, but it won't be enough. Donald Brown does not have the giant season that many talking heads are predicting. The defense gets shredded. The Texans are good, but not good enough. Mario Williams destroys people all year. Lastly, the Jaguars will simply be held back by QB play. They have way more talent than most give them credit for, but I think Garrard will hold his team back this year in a tight AFC South. Torry Holt just won't be enough to fix the problem.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rashean Mathis' return to the top of the CB ranks, Derrick Harvey (DE), Mario Williams (DE), Frank Okam (DT), Gary Brackett (LB, Chris Johnson (MVP), the Titans O-line.

AFC West: Chargers, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs

I actually think the Raiders have a shot to win the division if Russell plays even marginally OK. Or if they put in Garcia. I think they have 3 of the dirtiest running backs in the league in Fargas, McFadden, and Michael Bush. Fargas is underrated, but if it were me I would trade him if at all possible to get value for him, to get Michael Bush more time. I'm just really excited about the Raider run game. When it comes down to it though, the Chargers have entirely too much talent and will take this one. The Chiefs and the Broncos will be two of the biggest embarrassments in the league and warrant no further mention. Glenn Dorsey is now in entirely the wrong scheme for him, so I'll be interested to see if he can adapt or how they will use him.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, Nnandi Asomugha, Larry Johnson, Mike Goff, DJ Williams

NFC to come later, as well as my favorite, rookie predictions, and a BIG EAST PREVIEW