If you told me Eli Manning and the New York Giants were going to win the Super Bowl last year, I would have thought you were crazy.
I called the Chargers defeating the Cowboys last year. Well, that did not go so well. So I will give it another shot this year. We all want to see the Packers versus the Jets in the Super Bowl, but here is what I think will happen:
AFC:
1. Chargers (14-2)
With a healthy Philip Rivers, the Chargers would have replaced the Patriots last season in the AFC Championship game.
The Chargers defense is, in my opinion the best in the NFL. They got a rough and fast defense that can stop anyone.
On the offensive end they got the best running back in the game with LaDanian Tomlinson (the new LT) and an impressive QB in Philip Rivers. They lost RB Michael Turner and Lorenzon Neal, who took pressure off LT, but Sproles is the speedy back that will be very effective with former LSU champion Jacob Hester paving the way.
The Chargers are deep and with Norv Turner getting this team off the pressure of not winning in the post season, they are on their way to leading the AFC.
2. Steelers (12-4)
The Steelers are my favorite to win the AFC North because they have one of the most balanced teams in the NFL. If Willie Parker was not out at the end of last season, who knows, the No. 1 defensive team could have made a run.
They lost Alan Faneca, who was the leader of the weak offensive line, but they have made moves to make the offensive line a strength in the offseason.
They had the best draft, including steals RB Rashard Mendenhall and Roethlisberger's new favorite target, Limas Sweed.
Big Ben was one of the most consistent quarterbacks last season and he will grow to get even better. He needs to learn to slide and not take hits so he can stay healthy. Expect a MVP caliber season from him.
3. Colts (12-4)
Payton Manning is still the best QB in the NFL right now. The defense for the Colts was banged up last season and WR Marvin Harrison was missed.
The Colts are fully healthy and brought back Dominic Rhodes to give the Colts a pounder that was effective when they won the Super Bowl in the 2006 season.
The Jaguars, Titans, and Texans are all getting better, but Manning is Manning. Freeney and Sanders on defense will also make sure they get back to that defense we saw in the playoffs that led to a Super Bowl.
4. New York Jets (10-6)
Wait, the Jets win the AFC East over the Patriots? No typo here. I had them finishing behind the Patriots before they brought the rejuvinated Brett Favre in with all of their key additions. Adding a QB that can take the Packers from 4-12 to the NFC Championship will bring the same luck for this 4-12 team.
The Jets have been built to win now. LB Faneca, TE Bubba Franks, LB Calvin Pace, and T Jenkins are all veterans who make this team much better. Also, first round pick Vernon Gholston is going to be a beast for the defense.
The Jets have an O-Line with Thomas Jones running behind it. Jones will get back to his old form he was at when he got the Bears to the Super Bowl. This team is too deep and talented not to like.
They do remind me of the Packers of last season and Favre happens to be the QB for this team too.
5. Browns (10-6)
The most surprising team last season will make sure that season was not a fluke.
Their question came on defense, where they added defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. That just made them a whole lot better. They lacked players who can rush and now have a combo that will be a threat.
Their offense will put up huge numbers, headed by RB Jamal Lewis and QB Derek Anderson. WR Donte Stallworth was added to give them another team threat.
This will be the most exciting team to watch next season.
6. Jaguars (10-6)
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