Why Every Division in the AFC Is Still Up for Grabs

This is about the time of year that everyone likes to make their predictions on who's gonna win what division and how the playoff race will wind up and all of that.

Many analysts will say they're absolutely certain about one team, and they have it wrapped up, without a doubt.

That's just plain wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

Up to this point in the season, every single division is up for grabs.

I'm not saying every team has a shot, but there is at least one other team in each division that is suiting up to make a run at the top team.

Here's a breakdown of each division, in their present order, and why I feel each team has a chance to win that division, or why they're are most likely out of it.

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills

Why they have a shot:

• The Buffalo Bills are a very talented team in all the areas that seem to matter most. Now, we could get into a whole argument that every position holds equal importance, and I would tend to agree. But, in the widely-recognized areas, they're pretty stout.
• They've got a franchise quarterback in Trent Edwards. He's coming along very nicely, quite possibly a steal from the second round.
• Marshawn Lynch is one of the best young running backs in the league. He also may be the most heavily underrated. He ranks at the top with the likes of L.T., Westbrook, and Peterson.

• Jason Peters is a brick wall to go along with a much-improved, tough offensive line.
• Marcus Stroud is a beast in the middle of an underrated defensive line.

Why they could blow it:

• While they are talented, they are also very young. There are not many players on this team with playoff experience and this is a franchise that has not been familiar with winning as of late. I'm still not convinced they can rise to the occasion when it matters most, simply because they do not have the experience to do so.
• Trent Edwards is currently hampered with a concussion and J.P. Losman has proven he's a backup. That's it.
• The secondary can be taken advantage of, as proven by the Cardinals offense a couple of weeks ago.

• Lee Evans is a very good receiver. Unfortunately, the talent drops off considerably after him. They need better play from their tight ends.

2. New England Patriots

Why they have a shot:

• Bill Belichick. Love him, hate him, he's still one of the best football minds of our time and he can make this team legit once again.
• Randy Moss and Wes Welker can still spread out a defense to make room for the running game, or catch some balls, obviously.
  
• Laurence Maroney is an underrated talent in the backfield. He can make plays with the best of 'em.

Why they could blow it:

• Matt Cassel is not being the leader this organization was hoping he could be. He really has let them down in all aspects of his game.
• Laurence Maroney needs to stay healthy. Sammy Morris can do some good things but with a young, inexperienced quarterback, they need a running game.
• The entire defense has been exposed on national television. Ouch. Phillip Rivers had a field day with that defense. Along with Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, L.T., and Sproles.

3. New York Jets

Why they have a shot:

• Brett Favre is getting into the swing of things and is really starting to pick up this offensive scheme. He's making the reads, getting through all the way to his check-down if necessary, and is starting to look like he's having fun again.
• Thomas Jones is playing like a man possessed. Think he wants this team to win?
• The line is doing a good job of protecting Favre, and it's giving him time to do what he does best. Win.
• The run defense is greatly improved. The Kris Jenkins deal may have been the best of the offseason.

Why they could blow it:

• They have to play the likes of the Patriots and Bill twice a year. They also have to deal with an up-and-coming team in the Dolphins who are playing surprisingly good football at the moment.
• While the run defense is doing well, the pass defense is suffering. Even in Brett Favre's six-touchdown game, the defense still allowed Kurt Warner to throw for over 400 yards and two touchdowns. Not good.

4. Miami Dolphins

Why they have a shot:

• "The Miami Wildcats"... eh. Okay, so maybe that doesn't really have a ring to it, but it's working out for them so well it's something to consider.
• Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and Chad Pennington look to be back to old form. They're producing and doing everything they can to help this team win. Plus, and this cannot be overlooked, they're finally having fun again.

Why they could blow it:

• This division is tough this year. Tony Sparano has already doubled the win total from the Cam Cameron regime, but they're still a little bit away from having all the pieces in place to make a run.
• More specifically, the defense is not holding up the way the offense is. 29 points to the Houston Texans and a last second quarterback draw from Matt Schaub to win? They've got to play better than that.
• As well as their offense is working right now, gimmicks only work for so long in the NFL.

How I See This Shaping Up

1. Buffalo Bills (11-5)
2. New England Patriots (10-6)
3. New York Jets (9-7)
4. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

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