Titans RB Eddie George leads one of many true title contenders in the AFC
Death, taxes and the AFC losing in the Super Bowl. That's the way it was from 1985-1997, but three of the last four NFL champs have come from the AFC, with the only loss coming when the Titans fell short of the Rams by only one yard.
This year, the AFC is again loaded, fielding perhaps four of the top five teams in the NFL — the Broncos, Titans, Raiders and Ravens. (It says here in that order.)
And that doesn't even include the Colts and Dolphins, East divison teams that are characteristically different but who could both challenge 11-win marks.
There's no standout conference favorite, but don't go moaning about parity. The AFC Championship Game will be just as good as the Super Bowl.
Big Three of Manning, James, Harrison reminiscent of Aikman, Smith, Irvin of the '90s Cowboys. Defense the obvious x-factor here
2
Miami
Does defense still win championships with Jay Fiedler at QB? He's more apt than Trent Dilfer, so the answer could be yes
3
Buffalo
SoCal product Rob Johnson gets QB stage all to himself in
blue-collar town. This one could get ugly, and we should know early in the season
4
N.Y. Jets
Their pride matches up with any divisional opponent, but their talent does not. A marginal playoff threat at best
5
New England
With Terry Glenn (suspended by team) and Andy Katzenmoyer (inured) out for the season, one has to wonder when Pats will make headlines on the field again
AFC CENTRAL
Pos
Team
Skinny
1
Tennessee
Titans' methodical style keeps them in all games; talent gives them W's in most. Titans-Ravens clearly a two-horse race for division title
2
Baltimore
Loss of Jamal Lewis a huge blow, but if offensive coordinators don't solve Ravens' defense, it won't matter. Addition of QB Elvis Grbac should limit number of 6-3 final scores
3
Pittsburgh
Development of young receivers and, of course, the play of Kordell Stewart will tell whether last year's nine wins was an aberration. New stadium provides inspiration
4
Jacksonville
Seems like a team caught in a rut. Talent is there, but can't seem to get its top stars — Mark Brunell, Fred Taylor, Tony Boselli and Jimmy Smith — on field at same time
5
Cincinnati
If Akili Smith doesn't develop soon, add another five years to Bengals' timetable for success. And that timetable is not set for anytime soon
6
Cleveland
Will again be responsible for almost all of the double-digit point spreads in Vegas
AFC WEST
Pos
Team
Skinny
1
Denver
Great coach + emerging QB + host of talented backs + players who know how to win = AFC champs
2
Oakland
Raiders had a lot of steam before running into Baltimore train in playoffs. No reason to count them out
3
Kansas City
New coach Dick Vermeil instantly raises the talent level of this team. Addition of QB Trent Green doesn't hurt, either
4
Seattle
Three seasons into the Mike Holmgren era, Seahawks' hopes rely on QB Matt Hasselbeck, who's never started an NFL game
5
Chargers
With QB Doug Flutie and RB LaDanian Thomlinson, Chargers are expected by many to improve significantly. Division remains too tough for dramatic rise in standings, though
