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Way too Early AFC Playoff Predictions

Since this part of the offseason is a tad boring with the draft now over and camp a while away, I thought it would be fun to speculate about the playoff picture this season. While this might be a bit preemptive since we're still 7 months away from even coming close to the big picture, its at least a good discussion topic. In any case, here are my predictions for the AFC:

1st seed: New England Patriots

They are competing against the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins; plus they are tied for the second easiest strength of schedule. This is self explanatory really.

2nd seed: Pittsburgh Steelers

While we typically end up dropping a lot of games to mediocre talent, this schedule is so weak that I find it to be pretty impossible not to make playoffs, let alone win the north unless something crazy like an injury to Ben Roethlisberger happens. There are some question marks at WR, but someone will step up between the two newcomers and Washington. Not only that, the Steelers had one of the worst turnover ratio in franchise history last year. If they can learn how to hold onto the football they can match, if not surpass what we did last year with AB. Our defense has greatly been bolstered too. We added Barron, Bush, and Nelson to our squad which filled our needs. This should be a top unit next year, and combine that with Ben R at the helm could result in a SB appearance.

3rd seed: Los Angeles Chargers

Last season was very fluky for the Chargers. On one hand, they faced a very easy schedule last year and faced Baltimore in the playoffs so they might be overhyped headed into this year. On the other hand, Hunter Henry and Casey Hayward did not play a single snap in 2018, so they will be greatly improved along with their draft class. It will be interesting to see wether they succeed or fall on their faces this year, but they are definitively a lot better than they were last season.

4th seed: Jacksonville Jaguars

It was easy to spot the weak spot on the Jags last year: the quarterback Blake Bortles. Replacing him with Nick Foles, who won a SB and has been carrying the Eagles in wake of Wentz's injuries, should do wonders for the offense. Not only that, they are absolutely stacked on defense and should have a top 5 unit next year. Their history over the years proves otherwise, but I think the Jaguars can be a real threat this year for a team that can make a run.

Wildcard 1: Cleveland Browns

I know this is surprising to a lot of people and will be debated upon, but honestly this team plays too many easy teams and has too much talent to not win games. Their offense is pretty outstanding: Baker Mayfield, David Njoku, OBJ, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt. That is an offense that should put any defense they face over a barrel (however it has been shown recently that an offense full of HoF talent does not equal success...) Defensively they have playmakers in Garrett and Ward that carry the defense.

While I am high on the Browns, I do see reasons why they might not see the playoffs this year. One is the fact the Brown's Cycle is still continuing. They fired Greg Williams, one of the only coaches to take them to a winning record, with Freddy Kitchens. I do not think this move will bring success and I feel that the Haslems have not learned. Also they are the Browns. They fill find some way to blow the season, be it the AFCN crown or another losing record.

Wildcard 2: Denver Broncos

I am very high on the Broncos this season and here is why: Mike Munchak. Phillip Lyndsay is an all star RB who ran behind a line that was not great. Adding Munchak to the mix along with some promising rookies will drastically improve the offensive line in Denver, and bring greater success to Lyndsey. Joe Flacco might be the most average QB you can find in the NFL. He will not win the game on his own, but unlike Lynch, Oswiler, Keenum, etc. he will play well enough to where he won't lose it either. This is something Denver has needed for a while now. On defense they probably have the best OLB pair in the NFL in Chubb and Miller, with the best CB in Harris Jr. in the secondary.

Paring an impressive run game with a talented veteran defense should surprise some people this year and put the Broncos in the playoffs. Where they could have a chance to make a run at a title.

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