Boredom has driven me to write up my own (post-draft) 2008 Offseason Power Rankings for the AFC.
I always enjoy reading these, and love the discussions they stir up. I feel like I kept things relatively safe (few major surprises here), but I anticipate outrage from more than one fan.
That's fine; let me know where I screwed up and why, and I'll happily take your opinion into consideration. In the meantime, enjoy!
1. New England Patriots
Hate 'em all you want, the Pats are still the team to beat in the AFC.
They should skate through their 2008 schedule (the league's easiest, based on 2007 win/loss percentages) and reclaim the No. 1 playoff seed.
If Super Bowl XLII was any indication, strong pass-rushing teams should be able to make headway on the offensive side.
The Pats virtually always draft well, and Jerod Mayo is a promising pick, but their defensive backfield remains somewhat vulnerable. It will be interesting to see how New England compensates for the losses of Samuel, Stallworth, and Gay.
Personally, I think they'll be almost as productive, but we'll see. They won't repeat their 16-0 regular season, but Belichick and Brady will continue to terrorize the competition. They have unfinished business, to be sure.
I hope these cheaters go down in flames, but until that happens, the road to the Super Bowl runs through Foxboro.
2. San Diego Chargers
I'll keep it relatively brief, they're the most talented team in the league.
Like the Patriots, they enjoy a somewhat soft 2008 schedule, and there's no reason they shouldn't be competing for the No. 1 seed in the conference, especially since they will be fortunate enough to face the Colts and Patriots at home, providing potential tie-breaking edges.
Cason should solidify the suddenly stifling secondary, and I can't wait to witness the dimension Hester adds to the offense. Time will tell whether he was a reach or not, but I like his potential, and I trust A.J. Smith.
Rivers and Tomlinson should be good to go, but the questions surrounding Gates and Hardwick are cause for careful concern.
The AFC is so loaded (and Charger history so tragic) that it's impossible to feel comfortable, even for a second.
That said, I know they have the tools necessary to capture their first Lombardi Trophy. I anticipate growth within Norv's offense, and expect big things from the Chargers in early 2009, so long as they manage to stay healthy.
3. Indianapolis Colts
A few days ago, I read a Giants fan's Power Rankings, which stated something to the effect of, "Anyone who doesn't put San Diego ahead of Indy has no brains or no balls."
Well, I wouldn't go quite that far, but one has to ask how many times they need to defeat the Colts before the nation realizes that yes, sorry, they're the better team.
They beat them the playoffs, in their house, without L.T., using half of their junior-varsity squad. For God's sake, give them a little credit.
Don't get me wrong, Indianapolis is an elite team, and they deserve respect, but aside from reclaiming Dominic Rhodes (who disappointed in '07), I don't know what they've done to improve their shot at another ring (though I'm sure several Colts fans will emerge to inform me).
Anyway, I don't mean to slander their stock, because with Peyton at the helm, and plenty of playmakers, Indy's window isn't closing anytime soon.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Everyone's jumping on the Jags bandwagon, and for good reasons.
They feature a ferocious running-back tandem, steady, effective quarterbacking, and a dominant defensive line.
If Harvey and Groves apply consistent pressure on Manning and others, they could usurp the Colts and capture the AFC South crown, and/or make a deep playoff run.
Placing them ahead of Indy before the season starts is premature, but they're certainly gaining ground.
Sound, fundamental, and physical, the Jags are the dangerous team no one wants to face, but I still feel they can be outmatched and outgunned by the big three in the AFC.
They're pretty far up on my list of fears, behind Indy and New England, but a couple slots ahead of Ebola.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
I want to put the Cleveland Browns here but I just can't...yet.
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