We have previewed the NFC divisions and Conference ahead of the start of the NFL season later this week and now it is time to have a look at the AFC, winners of the last two Super Bowls. As with the NFC preview we’ll go through the divisions and then have a look at the Conference. We’ll begin with the AFC East.
AFC East
Bookmakers have this all about the New England Patriots and even with Tom Brady’s suspension it is hard to disagree with that. Try as they might I’m not convinced there is enough in the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins or the New York Jets to even come close to the Patriots so we’ll move swiftly on as the Patriots are no price at all.
AFC North
The looks an open division although the one team we can rule out is the Cleveland Browns. We’ve already highlighted their potential struggles elsewhere and there is no need to go over that again. They won’t compete here.
The other three sides might which means choosing between the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. I’m never sure about the Ravens. I think they peaked the year they won the Super Bowl and are on the downturn now and never seen to go a season without injuries killing them.
The other two I’m less sure about splitting but the one thing I keep coming back to is the power of this Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Antonio Brown is a yardage machine and in Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant they have a couple of explosive options. Le’Veon Bell will miss the start of the season but when he’s back there are few better all-purpose backs than him and while the Steelers might have one or two issues defensively I don’t think they will hamper them too much.
Cincinnati have dominated this division for a while but might just have peaked so I’ll go with the Steelers to prove to be the best side in the North once again.
AFC South
I think this will be a much more competitive division than it has been for a while. Indianapolis Colts have won this division comfortably in recent times apart from last year when injuries killed them but the Houston Texans have the potential to be strong again this season while the Jacksonville Jaguars are making excellent strides. Tennessee have an appealing running game too which can’t be discounted.
While they all have the potential to be stronger they all have weaknesses as well and it will be interesting to see how the division plays out but Jacksonville had a fantastic draft on top of what was an improving side anyway and they could now be the value in this division with a defence that will compete and an aerial attack the envy of many.
AFC West
The Super Bowl winning Denver Broncos originated from this division last season but whether they can defend their title will depend on how quickly they can settle in a new quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning. We don’t actually know just yet who they will start the season under center with and that in itself is a concern.
Even allowing for how good Denver were last season Kansas City Chiefs were only a win behind them last season and they don’t look to have weakened as much as Denver have so I’m expecting the Chiefs to see off the Broncos over the course of the season.
The sticky side could be Oakland who have drafted nicely once again and have the potential to improve but they need to improve a lot to win the division. I think they are another season away from that so I’m with the Chiefs in this division with San Diego not really showing me too much to merit consideration.
AFC Conference
Unlike in the NFC I don’t think there is going to be a weak division winner this season so I’m expecting a division winner to make it to the Super Bowl. The obvious two would be New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers but if the Patriots don’t get home field advantage that could be huge so I like the 5/1 on the Steelers to make it all the way to Houston this season.
Tips
WON – Back Pittsburgh Steelers to win AFC North for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Paddy Power
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Back Jacksonville Jaguars to win AFC South for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with 888sport
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WON – Back Kansas City Chiefs to win AFC West for a 4/10 stake at 2.80 with Titanbet
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Back Pittsburgh Steelers to win AFC for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with Skybet
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