Three Up, Three Down: AFC Version

Now that free agency and the draft are over, some teams have a dramatically different look.

Let’s take a quick look at three teams in the AFC that didn’t make the playoffs last season that will make it this season. And we’ll also take a quick look at three AFC teams that made the playoffs last season but will not make it back this year.

Three teams up

New England Patriots

This team nearly made the playoffs last season without future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady.

With Brady’s return, the additions of running back Fred Taylor, wide out Joey Galloway, cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, and a stellar draft this team will be back in the playoffs this season.

The real question is not whether they’ll make the playoffs, but if they’ll represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Jacksonville Jaguars

At this time last season, the Jaguars were predicted by many to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Jaguars were unable to live up to the hype and crashed to the bottom of the AFC South with a 5-11 record.

But I look for the Jags to rebound this season after overhauling their offensive line and adding a veteran playmaker at wide out that was desperately needed.

The Jags o-line was decimated last season by injuries. This season, if healthy, this line could once again be a formidable unit. The addition of ex-Eagle Tra Thomas and draft picks Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton give the Jaguars book ends for the present and the future.

Torry Holt gives David Garrard a much needed go-to receiver.

I look for the Jaguars to rebound and become the team that they were predicted to be last season.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals were the "Bungles" last season, as they have been for much of the past 20 years. But this season brings optimism to the Queen City.

Carson Palmer returns from an elbow injury, Cedric Benson showed some of the promise that made him a top-five pick, and they believe that they struck gold on draft day.

The Bengals expect big things from draft picks Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga, Michael Johnson, Chase Coffman, and Jonathan Luigs. If the first three mentioned can prove their doubters wrong, the Bengals will have hit it big.

If they don’t, it’ll be another season of being the "Bungles."

With an easy schedule and the Ravens’ having gone through several changes, don’t be surprised if the Bengals end up second in the AFC North and slip into the playoffs.

Three teams down

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins surprised many people and won the AFC East last season to earn a playoff berth.

But with the return of Tom Brady to the Patriots, the rebuilding of the Jets, and the young Bills improving and adding Terrell Owens; the AFC East may be one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.

The Dolphins did not address their need for an offensive playmaker, and teams will have had a full offseason to defend against the "Wild Cat." Therefore, the Dolphins will lack the ability to beat top tier teams, as proven in the playoff game against the Ravens.

And because of those reasons, I don’t see the Dolphins repeating either of last season's feats of winning the division or making the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans also surprised people by winning the AFC South and having the best record in the conference. But the AFC South is a tough division, and if the Jaguars and Texans improve like I think they will, it will be very difficult for the Titans to repeat.

The loss of Albert Haynesworth and the career inconsistency of Kerry Collins lead me to believe that the Titans will not be able to win the AFC South again this season.

The Titans will still be a good, physical team but won’t make the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have been a consistent, if not dominate, team for several years now. But I believe that the combination of a division that is getting tougher, and change in the coaching staff will cause the Colts to miss the playoffs.

This offseason the Colts lost head coach Tony Dungy, offensive coordinator Tom Moore, and o-line coach Howard Mudd. Moore and Mudd have held those positions since Peyton Manning’s rookie year of 1998.

I believe those losses and an improved division will be enough for the Colts to slip a notch and miss the playoffs for the first time since 1998.