Editor’s note: This is one of a series of NFL previews by The Dallas Express.
AFC
The Kansas City Chiefs represented the American Football Conference (AFC) in the Super Bowl for the second time in the last four years, representing the conference in three of the last four Super Bowls played and winning their third championship with a thrilling 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
While Kansas City returns most of its team from a year ago, the AFC is loaded with many deep and talented teams across the board. The AFC North, AFC West, and AFC East could all produce multiple playoff teams this season as everyone tries to knock the Chiefs out of the driver’s seat.
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STORYLINES
1. Can the Chiefs repeat as AFC and Super Bowl champs?
2. How long will Kansas City be without All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones?
3. How much does Sean Payton help the Broncos after an abysmal season?
4. Has Jacksonville overtaken Tennessee in the AFC South?
5. How much will DeAndre Hopkins help the Titans’ passing game?
6. Who is the second-best team in the AFC North?
7. What will an entire season of Deshaun Watson look like in Cleveland?
8. How many playoff teams come from the AFC East?
9. How far can Aaron Rodgers take the New York Jets?
10. Is the Patriots dynasty over, and how much longer will Bill Belichick coach?
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DIVISIONS
EAST
While all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers’ debut in New York and the potential downfall of the New England Patriots dynasty, the Buffalo Bills have become the team to beat in the East. Buffalo has a strong defense with an elite quarterback and equally talented playmakers around him, making it one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Miami snuck its way into the playoffs last season and is poised to stake its claim as the No.2 team in the division, but the improvements the Jets have made will put them in the conversation as well. There is no slouch in this division, but Buffalo has a clear advantage.
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NORTH
The Bengals hold the edge in this division as the champs for the last two years. The biggest issue for Cincinnati is its offensive line, which has not been great at protecting Joe Burrow early in his career. Nevertheless, the Bengals have the most trustworthy offense in this division, and the year will be full of close games for all four teams.
The Baltimore Ravens have again attempted to improve their passing game with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. It’s a gamble at this point in his career, but he fits the need as they have been waiting for someone to have a breakout season. The Pittsburgh Steelers will hope their young offensive skill players can continue to progress and help them contend, while Cleveland gets its first complete season of Deshaun Watson after he missed the first 12 games of last season.
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SOUTH
The Jacksonville Jaguars made a late-season run to finish 8-8 and win the division last season as the Tennessee Titans faltered. Houston and Indianapolis both have first-year head coaches, so it appears the division will come down to Jacksonville and Tennessee again. Jacksonville is one of the up-and-coming teams in the league, while Tennessee may be on its way back down to Earth because of issues at quarterback. Running back Derrick Henry will always keep the Titans competitive, and DeAndre Hopkins should give them a better-receiving threat, but is there enough on their roster to hold off the Jags?
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WEST
The AFC West has been one of the deepest divisions in the NFL, capable of producing two or three playoff teams each season.
The Chiefs have won the division each of the last seven years, and many have been waiting for the Los Angeles Chargers to unseat them. Some speculate that LA coach Brandon Staley may be in over his head, and he must prove them wrong after two unsatisfying seasons.
The Denver Broncos hope they have made the moves to return to contention after failing to meet expectations last season.
Former Dallas Cowboys assistant and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has returned to the sidelines from the Fox Sports studios to try to engineer another turnaround, this time with plenty of talent already on the roster.
The Las Vegas Raiders hope a second-year under Josh McDaniels shows signs of progress, as the team took steps back last season. Maybe reuniting him with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will give Vegas the spark it needs?
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PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
1. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West Champ – first-round bye)
2. Buffalo Bills (AFC East Champ)
3 Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North Champ)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South Champ)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (Wild Card)
7. New York Jets (Wild Card)