It's that time of year again with preseason about to start for 30 NFL teams. This year for conference previews I will review teams in tiers
Oh boy, it's time once again for a totally unpredictable year of AFC football. Not like there's only one team in contention for the AFC crown again
Your 2019 AFC Champions (and probably Super Bowl 54 champions)
Patriots: Let's face it, they'll once again start off slow and look vulnerable in December only to put it all together in the postseason. They catch fire and their opponents either put forth an awful gameplan or make boneheaded mistakes at the worst time and the Pats win yet again. Now let's preview the teams who won't be winning the AFC
Favorites to choke against the Pats in the AFC championship game
Colts: This team appears to have built a solid foundation under Chris Ballard but Andrew Luck has a lingering injury and there has been this team's inability to beat New England since they let go of Peyton
Chiefs: As long as Mahomes doesn't get injured/regress they'll be contenders for a bye, but with that awful defense (which may actually be worse this year) and perennial choker Andy Reid, they aren't going to the Super Bowl
Lots of talent but potential to disappoint
Chargers: They may actually have the most talent in the AFC, but they're the Chargers so they'll underachieve and choke like they always do. Can't believe I thought this team was a legitimate title contender last year
Browns: Lots of talent yes, but can they put it together. Can these strong personalities mesh? How will Freddie Kitchens do as head coach
Held back by poor coaching and glaring weaknesses
Texans: They have some top tier talents yes, but that o-line is hot garbage and Bill O Brien is a piss poor coach. I have no idea why he still has a job
Steelers: It's a popular theory to think that with Le'Veon and AB out of the picture this team is ready to compete again. Unfortunately the coaching is subpar and all the good assistant coaches from last year are gone. Keith Butler and Danny Smith are still here for some reason, the special teams at best is a question mark, and the secondary and LB corp still has many questions.
Mediocre
Ravens: Lamar Jackson can't actually throw a ball and the defense sustained numerous key losses
Jets: Adam Gase is your head coach, meaning you are good for probably 6-8 wins, 5-6 of them being close wins against awul teams, and maybe a win over the Pats at home, all the while your point spread ranges from minus 80-minue 120. Oh and you get to watch Le'Veon without an elite offensive supporting cast.
Broncos: All this team is is 2 stud OLBs going to waste on a team
Titans: The only thing this team will be effective at is putting everybody to sleep
Jaguars: Watch as Nick Foles regresses without Doug Pederson being on his staff while the defense is not world beaters for the 2nd year in a row.
Bills: We're looking at anywhere from 3-13 to 7-9 for this team. It all depends on where Josh Allen falls this year between semblance of a semi-functional QB at times and JaMarus Russell 2.0
Laughing Stock
Raiders: This season is going to be fun and this team is going to be entertaining, well, not for Raiders fans but for everyone else, chief of all Steelers fans looking to see the AB trade blow up in Oakland's face and AFC West rivals. Gruden-AB-Burfict-Incognito. Are you trying to be a football team or an MTV reality show?
Bottom of the Barrel
Bengals: You finally got rid of Marvin Lewis and replaced him with...a guy with one year OC experience in the NFL for the Dolphins because he worked under Sean McVay. Yeah, this team feels ready to just fall apart especially with AJ Green unable to stay healthy
Dolphins: Who is even on this team?