A look at how the teams in the AFC shape up this season (Teams listed in predicted order of finish; new players in bold; *denotes injured players expected to start when healthy):
AFC EAST
1. New England
Coach: Bill Belichick (14th year, 151-57)
Last year: 12-4, first
Outlook: It has been quite a tumultuous offseason for the Patriots, but with Belichick and Tom Brady there’s little reason to think they won’t win their 11th division title in 13 years. The wide receivers, tight ends, and defensive backs will be under the most scrutiny.
WR impact rank: 25th. Really need Danny Amendola to stay healthy, because there’s not much depth or experience in this unit.
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STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Tom Brady | DE | Rob Ninkovich |
RB | Stevan Ridley | DT | Vince Wilfork |
RB | Shane Vereen | DT | Tommy Kelly |
WR | Danny Amendola | DE | Chandler Jones |
WR | Julian Edelman | OLB | Jerod Mayo |
TE | *Rob Gronkowski | MLB | Brandon Spikes |
LT | Nate Solder | OLB | Dont'a Hightower |
LG | Logan Mankins | CB | Aqib Talib |
C | Ryan Wendell | CB | Alfonzo Dennard |
RG | Dan Connolly | S | Steve Gregory |
RT | Sebastian Vollmer | S | Devin McCourty |
K | Stephen Gostkowski | P | Ryan Allen |
2. Miami
Coach: Joe Philbin (2ndyear, 7-9)
Last year: 7-9, second
Outlook: The Dolphins spent $98 million guaranteed in free agency to surround Ryan Tannehill with better weapons and make the defense younger. TE Dustin Keller’s knee injury is a big blow, but if Tannehill can progress in Year 2, Miami should be in the wild-card hunt.
WR impact rank: 20th. Mike Wallace got big money, but can he be a No. 1 receiver?
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Ryan Tannehill | DE | Cameron Wake |
RB | Lamar Miller | DT | Randy Starks |
FB | Tyler Clutts | DT | Paul Soliai |
WR | Brian Hartline | DE | Olivier Vernon |
WR | Mike Wallace | OLB | Philip Wheeler |
TE | Charles Clay | MLB | Dannell Ellerbe |
LT | Jonathan Martin | OLB | Koa Misi |
LG | Richie Incognito | CB | Brent Grimes |
C | Mike Pouncey | CB | Dimitri Patterson |
RG | John Jerry | S | Chris Clemons |
RT | Tyson Clabo | S | Reshad Jones |
K | Caleb Sturgis | P | Brandon Fields |
3. Buffalo
Coach: Doug Marrone (1st year)
Last year: 6-10, fourth
Outlook: Buffalo is once again making a fresh start under Marrone and first-round pick EJ Manuel, but already disaster has struck with Manuel’s “minor” knee surgery and Kevin Kolb’s concussion. The Bills have decent talent on both sides of the ball, but incompetent QB play could once again hold them back.
WR impact rank: 12th. A lot of young talent and speed here, including rookie Robert Woods.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | EJ Manuel | DE | Mario Williams |
RB | C.J. Spiller | DT | Marcell Dareus |
FB | Frank Summers | DT | Kyle Williams |
WR | Stevie Johnson | DE | Alex Carrington |
WR | T.J. Graham | OLB | Manny Lawson |
TE | Scott Chandler | MLB | Kiko Alonso |
LT | Cordy Glenn | OLB | Nigel Bradham |
LG | Colin Brown | CB | Leodis McKelvin |
C | Eric Wood | CB | Ron Brooks |
RG | Kraig Urbik | S | *Jairus Byrd |
RT | Erik Pears | S | Aaron Williams |
K | Dustin Hopkins | P | Shawn Powell |
4. NY Jets
Coach: Rex Ryan (5th year, 34-30)
Last year: 6-10, third
Outlook: The Jets are a wreck already, with first-year GM John Idzik favoring rookie QB Geno Smith and Ryan preferring Mark Sanchez, who got injured in the third preseason game. With little talent on either side of the ball, the Jets could be playing for the No. 1 pick.
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WR impact rank: 32d. Jeremy Kerley has talent, but their No. 2 receiver may be an undrafted rookie.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Geno Smith | DE | Muhammad Wilkerson |
RB | Bilal Powell | NT | Kenrick Ellis |
FB | Tommy Bohanon | DE | Sheldon Richardson |
WR | Jeremy Kerley | OLB | Garrett McIntyre |
WR | Stephen Hill | ILB | Demario Davis |
TE | Jeff Cumberland | ILB | David Harris |
LT | D. Ferguson | OLB | Calvin Pace |
LG | Vladimir Ducasse | CB | Dee Milliner |
C | Nick Mangold | CB | Antonio Cromartie |
RG | Willie Colon | S | Antonio Allen |
RT | Austin Howard | S | Dawan Landry |
K | Nick Folk | P | Robert Malone |
AFC NORTH
1. Cincinnati
Coach: Marvin Lewis (11th year, 79-80-1)
Last year: 10-6, second
Outlook: The Bengals have made the playoffs and lost immediately in both years with Andy Dalton, but appear ready to take the next step. A.J. Green is a top-five receiver, rookie RB Gio Bernard has tantalizing abilities, and DT Geno Atkins is the best defender nobody knows about.
WR impact rank: 8th. Green is a total stud, and there’s intriguing young talent behind him.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Andy Dalton | DE | Carlos Dunlap |
RB | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | DT | Domata Peko |
FB | Orson Charles | DT | Geno Atkins |
WR | A.J. Green | DE | Michael Johnson |
WR | Mohamed Sanu | OLB | James Harrison |
TE | Jermaine Gresham | MLB | Rey Maualuga |
LT | Andrew Whitworth | OLB | Vontaze Burfict |
LG | Clint Boling | CB | Leon Hall |
C | Kyle Cook | CB | Terence Newman |
RG | Kevin Zeitler | S | George Iloka |
RT | Andre Smith | S | Reggie Nelson |
K | Mike Nugent | P | Kevin Huber |
2. Baltimore
Coach: John Harbaugh (6th year, 54-26)
Last year: 10-6, first
Outlook: The Ravens certainly got hot at the right time last season, but a drop-off is expected, especially with the heavy turnover of key players. An offense of Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and Torrey Smith is going to be productive, but the defense has question marks.
WR impact rank: 24th. Smith is a budding (if not already blossomed) star, but there’s little behind him on the depth chart.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Joe Flacco | DE | Terrell Suggs |
RB | Ray Rice | DT | Haloti Ngata |
FB | Vonta Leach | DT | Arthur Jones |
WR | Torrey Smith | DE | Chris Canty |
WR | Jacoby Jones | OLB | Josh Bynes |
TE | Ed Dickson | MLB | Daryl Smith |
LT | Bryant McKinnie | OLB | Elvis Dumervil |
LG | Kelechi Osemele | CB | Lardarius Webb |
C | Gino Gradkowski | CB | Corey Graham |
RG | Marshal Yanda | S | James Ihedigbo |
RT | Michael Oher | S | Michael Huff |
K | Justin Tucker | P | Sam Koch |
3. Pittsburgh
Coach: Mike Tomlin (7th year, 63-33)
Last year: 8-8, third
Outlook: The Steelers will always be competitive with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, but the offensive line still appears shaky, they did little to replace Mike Wallace, and a once-dominant defense — which no longer has James Harrison — forced just 20 turnovers last year.
WR impact rank: 17th. Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders can be productive, but how will they perform without Wallace?
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STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Ben Roethlisberger | DE | Ziggy Hood |
RB | Isaac Redman | NT | Steve McLendon |
FB | Will Johnson | DE | Brett Keisel |
WR | Emmanuel Sanders | OLB | LaMarr Woodley |
WR | Antonio Brown | ILB | Larry Foote |
TE | *Heath Miller | ILB | Lawrence Timmons |
LT | Mike Adams | OLB | Jason Worilds |
LG | Ramon Foster | CB | Cortez Allen |
C | Maurkice Pouncey | CB | Ike Taylor |
RG | David DeCastro | S | Ryan Clark |
RT | Marcus Gilbert | S | Troy Polamalu |
K | Shaun Suisham | P | Zoltan Mesko |
4. Cleveland
Coach: Rob Chudzinski (1st year)
Last year: 5-11, fourth
Outlook: There’s actually a lot to like about the Browns, with great offensive coaches in Chudzinski and coordinator Norv Turner and exciting young players such as Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, Cameron Jordan, and Joe Haden. The Browns are unfortunate to play in a tough division.
WR impact rank: 19th. Young talent in Gordon and Greg Little. Just need a QB to get them the ball.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Brandon Weeden | DE | Ahtyba Rubin |
RB | Trent Richardson | NT | Phil Taylor |
FB | Chris Ogbonnaya | DE | Desmond Bryant |
WR | Greg Little | OLB | Paul Kruger |
WR | *Josh Gordon | ILB | D'Qwell Jackson |
TE | Jordan Cameron | ILB | Craig Robertson |
LT | Joe Thomas | OLB | Jabaal Sheard |
LG | Jason Pinkston | CB | Joe Haden |
C | Alex Mack | CB | Buster Skrine |
RG | Shawn Lauvao | S | T.J. Ward |
RT | Mitchell Schwartz | S | Tashaun Gipson |
K | Bill Cundiff | P | Spencer Lanning |
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis
Coach: Chuck Pagano (2ndyear, 11-5)
Last year: 11-5, second
Outlook: Andrew Luck literally carried the Colts to the playoffs last year as a rookie with a ton of young talent on both sides. Now that talent is a year older, the coach is healthy and ready to lead a nasty defense, and Luck is ready to break out as an elite quarterback.
WR impact rank: 9th. Reggie Wayne is still The Man at 34 and there are young speedsters such as T.Y. Hilton and LaVon Brazill.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Andrew Luck | DE | Cory Redding |
RB | Vick Ballard | NT | Josh Chapman |
FB | Stanley Havili | DE | Ricky Jean-Francois |
WR | Reggie Wayne | OLB | Erik Walden |
WR | Darrius Heyward-Bey | ILB | Pat Angerer |
TE | Dwayne Allen | ILB | Jerrell Freeman |
LT | Anthony Castonzo | OLB | Robert Mathis |
LG | Donald Thomas | CB | Greg Toler |
C | Samson Satele | CB | Vontae Davis |
RG | Mike McGlynn | S | Antoine Bethea |
RT | Gosder Cherilus | S | LaRon Landry |
K | Adam Vinatieri | P | Pat McAfee |
2. Houston
Coach: Gary Kubiak (8th year, 59-53)
Last year: 12-4, first
Outlook: The Texans will once again have one of the NFL’s most dynamic defenses. But Andre Johnson is a year older, Arian Foster (calf) and Ed Reed (hip) are banged up, and you have to wonder if the Texans’ window with Matt Schaub is starting to close.
WR impact rank: 14th. Johnson scored only four TDs last year and DeAndre Hopkins and DeVier Posey are unproven.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matt Schaub | DE | J.J. Watt |
RB | Arian Foster | DT | Earl Mitchell |
FB | Greg Jones | DE | Tim Jamison |
WR | Andre Johnson | OLB | Brooks Reed |
WR | *DeAndre Hopkins | ILB | Brian Cushing |
TE | Owen Daniels | ILB | Joe Mays |
LT | Duane Brown | OLB | Whitney Mercilus |
LG | Wade Smith | CB | Kareem Jackson |
C | Chris Myers | CB | Johnathan Joseph |
RG | Brandon Brooks | S | Danieal Manning |
RT | Derek Newton | S | *Ed Reed |
K | Randy Bullock | P | Shane Lechler |
3. Tennessee
Coach: Mike Munchak (3rd year, 15-17)
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Last year: 6-10, third
Outlook: The offensive line has been bolstered by G Andy Levitre and the drafting of G Chance Warmack, and a defense led by Akeem Ayers and Michael Griffin forced a healthy 24 turnovers last year. But if Jake Locker can’t turn into a competent passer, this team will go nowhere.
WR impact rank: 22d. Kenny Britt is talented when healthy, and their depth is decent but nothing special.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Jake Locker | DE | Derrick Morgan |
RB | Chris Johnson | DT | Sammie Hill |
FB | Quinn Johnson | DT | Jurrell Casey |
WR | Nate Washington | DE | Kamerion Wimbley |
WR | Kenny Britt | OLB | Akeem Ayers |
TE | Delanie Walker | MLB | Colin McCarthy |
LT | Michael Roos | OLB | Zach Brown |
LG | Andy Levitre | CB | Jason McCourty |
C | Rob Turner | CB | Alterraun Verner |
RG | Chance Warmack | S | Bernard Pollard |
RT | David Stewart | S | Michael Griffin |
K | Rob Bironas | P | Brett Kern |
4. Jacksonville
Coach: Gus Bradley (1st year)
Last year: 2-14, fourth
Outlook: The Jaguars might not win many games, but they could be exciting with young offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. But the defense can’t get any pass rush, and Blaine Gabbert is one bad month from losing the starting QB job for good.
WR impact rank: 21st. Good young talent here in Justin Blackmon (four-game suspension), Cecil Shorts, and Ace Sanders, but no one to throw them the ball.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Blaine Gabbert | DE | Tyson Alualu |
RB | Maurice Jones-Drew | DT | Roy Miller |
FB | Will Ta'ufo'ou | DT | Sen'Derrick Marks |
WR | Cecil Shorts | DE | Jason Babin |
WR | Ace Sanders | OLB | Geno Hayes |
TE | Marcedes Lewis | MLB | Paul Posluszny |
LT | Eugene Monroe | OLB | Russell Allen |
LG | Will Rackley | CB | Dwayne Gratz |
C | Brad Meester | CB | Alan Ball |
RG | Uche Nwaneri | S | Jonathan Cyprien |
RT | Luke Joeckel | S | Dwight Lowery |
K | Josh Scobee | P | Bryan Anger |
AFC WEST
1. Denver
Coach: John Fox (3rd year, 21-11)
Last year: 13-3, first
Outlook: The Broncos were a fluke play from reaching the AFC Championship game, and enter this year as the AFC favorites after adding Wes Welker to a dynamic offense. But the pass rush, No. 1 in the NFL in sacks last year, could struggle without Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller suspended for six games.
WR impact rank: 1st. They already had Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, and added Wes Welker.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Peyton Manning | DE | Derek Wolfe |
RB | Ronnie Hillman | DT | Kevin Vickerson |
WR | Wes Welker | DT | Terrance Knighton |
WR | Demaryius Thomas | DE | Robert Ayers |
WR | Eric Decker | OLB | Nate Irving |
TE | Julius Thomas | MLB | Wesley Woodyard |
LT | Ryan Clady | OLB | Danny Trevathan |
LG | Zane Beadles | CB | *Champ Bailey |
C | Manny Ramirez | CB | D. Rodgers-Cromartie |
RG | Louis Vasquez | S | Duke Ihenacho |
RT | Orlando Franklin | S | Rahim Moore |
K | Matt Prater | P | Britton Colquitt |
2. Kansas City
Coach: Andy Reid (1st year)
Last year: 2-14, fourth
Outlook: Last year was a disaster for the Chiefs, but mostly because of terrible quarterback play, shaky coaching, and the Jovan Belcher tragedy. The Chiefs have a lot of talent on both sides, and should be one of the league’s most improved teams with Reid and QB Alex Smith now in tow.
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WR impact rank: 26th. Dwayne Bowe is still an elite receiver, but there’s nothing behind him.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Alex Smith | DE | Tyson Jackson |
RB | Jamaal Charles | DT | Dontari Poe |
FB | Anthony Sherman | DE | Mike DeVito |
WR | Dwayne Bowe | OLB | Justin Houston |
WR | Donnie Avery | ILB | Akeem Jordan |
TE | Anthony Fasano | ILB | Derrick Johnson |
LT | Branden Albert | OLB | Tamba Hail |
LG | Jeff Allen | CB | Brandon Flowers |
C | Rodney Hudson | CB | Sean Smith |
RG | Jon Asamoah | S | Eric Berry |
RT | Eric Fisher | S | Kendrick Lewis |
K | Ryan Succop | P | Dustin Colquitt |
3. San Diego
Coach: Mike McCoy (1st year)
Last year: 7-9, second
Outlook: The Chargers still expect to compete for the playoffs with Philip Rivers’s clock starting to tick (now 32). Only problem is this team is devoid of talent on offense — Antonio Gates is the only legit playmaker. On the plus side, they were stingy against the run last year (3.8 yards per carry).
WR impact rank: 31st. There’s not much talent here to begin with, and the receivers are all banged up.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Philip Rivers | DE | Corey Liuget |
RB | Ryan Mathews | NT | Cam Thomas |
FB | Le'Ron McClain | DE | Kendall Reyes |
WR | *Malcom Floyd | OLB | Dwight Freeney |
WR | Eddie Royal | ILB | *Manti Te'o |
TE | Antonio Gates | ILB | Donald Butler |
LT | King Dunlap | OLB | Jarret Johnson |
LG | Chad Rinehart | CB | Shareece Wright |
C | Nick Hardwick | CB | Derek Cox |
RG | Jeromey Clary | S | Marcus Gilchrist |
RT | D.J. Fluker | S | Eric Weddle |
K | Nick Novak | P | Mike Scifres |
4. Oakland
Coach: Dennis Allen (2ndyear, 4-12)
Last year: 4-12, third
Outlook: The Raiders are in perpetual rebuilding mode and may be in for another long season that could cost GM Reggie McKenzie his job. Darren McFadden is the only playmaker on offense, and the defense is a refuge for veteran castoffs. At least QB Terrelle Pryor might be fun to watch.
WR impact rank: 30th. Denarius Moore showed promise last year, but there’s little depth behind him.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matt Flynn | DE | Lamarr Houston |
RB | Darren McFadden | DT | Vance Walker |
FB | Marcel Reece | DT | Pat Sims |
WR | Denarius Moore | DE | Jason Hunter |
WR | Rod Streater | OLB | Kevin Burnett |
TE | David Ausberry | MLB | Nick Roach |
LT | Jared Veldheer | OLB | Sio Moore |
LG | Lucas Nix | CB | Tracy Porter |
C | Stefen Wisniewski | CB | Mike Jenkins |
RG | Mike Brisiel | S | Charles Woodson |
RT | Khalif Barnes | S | Tyvon Branch |
K | Sebastian Janikowski | P | Marquette King |