NFL Trade Deadline: Each AFC Team's Outlook Post-Trade Deadline

The often-used investment disclaimer "past performance doesn't guarantee future results" could just as easily apply to the NFL; even though we are quickly approaching the seventh week of the 2011 NFL season, we are just starting to get an idea of where each team stands.

After reviewing each AFC team's stats and recent news, it has become apparent that some of the conference's top-performing teams are destined for failure, while some of the weaker teams might be able to have a shot at the playoffs.

Following is a look at the seasonal outlook for each team in the AFC.

Buffalo Bills

Statistically, the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led offense is one of the best in the league. Fitzpatrick currently has a 66.3 completion percentage, 95.3 QB rating and has thrown twice as many touchdown passes as interceptions.

Additionally, the Bills offensive line is ranked top in the league, only giving up seven sacks while creating lanes for RB Fred Jackson, who has six touchdowns so far this season. It's the Bills' balanced attack that is a main reason they currently have the league's second-best offense in terms of points per game.

However, there is reason for concern on the defensive side of the ball. The Bills are currently the league's second-worst defense in terms of yards per game and sixth-worst in terms of points per game. I believe the Bills defense is too weak, and their record will start to crumble as the season progresses.

Miami Dolphins

It should come as no surprise that the Miami Dolphins’ outlook for the remainder of the season is rather bleak. Along with the Colts, they are currently the only teams in the league that remain winless.

It would appear that their best shot at a win might come next week against the Broncos. However, Tebow has shown flashes of brilliance in his few starts last year, and I believe that his "homecoming" will create a home-field environment for the Broncos, especially considering the Dolphins intend to honor 2009's national champion Gators.

I expect that the Dolphins could very easily go winless this year and win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

New England Patriots

It should come as no surprise that the Patriots are running the league’s best offense; it does not hurt that Tom Brady is off to a great start, completing 67.5 percent of his passes with a 104.8 QB rating and 16 touchdown passes. His play is so good that his critics have only his shoe endorsement, hairstyle or vacation antics to criticize.

While the offense receives all the praise, the Patriots defense has been criticized for their poor play. As the league's worst defense, in term of yards per game, they do let opposing teams march all over the field. However, when you look at the amount of points allowed, you start to realize that the defense is not quite as bad as advertised.

The Patriots will make a deep playoff run.

New York Jets

The Jets will not make the playoffs this season; the running game that led them to two consecutive conference championship games is not what it used to be, and Mark Sanchez is not a good enough quarterback to pick up the slack.

Sanchez is statistically one of the most overrated players in the league. With a 56.1 percent completion percentage and an 82.3 QB rating in 2011, he is not exactly lighting up the league. While he has had success in terms of win or losses, it was much more the result of the Jets’ solid defense and rushing attack. However, with an average of 80.8 rushing yards per game, the second-worst in the league, it seems all but certain that their blueprint for success will need some revision.

Expect the Jets to sputter their way to the end of the season and miss the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens defense currently leads the league in points allowed and are third in the league in terms of yards allowed. At 4-1, the Ravens' first-place standing is due in large part to the stingy play of their defense.

I am not a believer in Joe Flacco; I believe that he, like Mark Sanchez, is a mediocre quarterback that wound up in a great situation. While Flacco’s numbers are less than stellar, he does have, unlike Sanchez, a solid defense and a decent running game to bail him out.

I expect the Ravens defense to keep winning games despite the average offensive play of their quarterback and make the playoffs. 

Cincinnati Bengals

It looks as though the Bengals drafted well in 2011; both rookies, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, have been major contributors to the team’s success this season. Dalton has performed admirably through the first six games of the season; he is completing 62.4 percent of his throws with an 84.3 QB rating. Not at all bad for a rookie.

The defense has also been a major piece of the Bengals’ winning formula; the squad is currently fifth-best in points per game and second in the league in yards allowed.

All around, the Bengals look like a team trending upwards. Their two big rookies seem to be developing a good chemistry on the field, while their defense puts them in a position to win.

I expect the Bengals to continue winning, but miss out on the playoffs this year.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns looked as if they were moving in the right direction last year, with the coup of bruising running back in Peyton Hillis from the Broncos. However, at 2-3 and last in the AFC North, it appears as though things are rapidly falling apart for the Browns.

Their starting quarterback has not been very impressive statistically. With a nearly five percent drop in his completion percentage since last year, it seems as though he is regressing. Also, their poster boy, RB Hillis, has been the center of controversy over the last few weeks. There is speculation that Hillis sat out a game against the Dolphins over a contract dispute.

I think that the team is in too much of a disarray to turn the ship around this season; look for the Browns to finish at the bottom of their division.

Pittsburgh Steelers

It should come as no surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best defensive units in the league so far this season. The Steelers are currently third in the AFC North, one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL. The only difference between their two main divisional competitors is the play of their quarterback.

While I think Dalton will be a very solid quarterback in the future, it is pretty clear that Ben Roethlisberger is the best in the North. Like the Ravens, the Steelers quarterback has the support of a solid defense and decent running game. However, Roethlisberger’s numbers are far better than any of quarterback in the division.

I expect the Steelers to win the AFC North.

Houston Texans

2011 has been a weird year for the Houston Texans. While they have had a talented roster for the last few years, they have never managed to win the division or even make the playoffs. With the loss of Andre Johnson and the injury to Adrian Forster, you would assume that 2011 would once again end in disappointment for the Texans.

So far this year, the Texans have benefited from the loss of rival quarterbacks Peyton Manning and David Garrard. Unfortunately for the Texans, it seems as though Tennessee has found a quarterback for this year in Matt Hasselbeck. It is difficult to figure this team out, especially with several injuries to their key players, and as such, it is hard to imagine the Texans getting over the hump again this season.

The Texans will once again miss the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is the most valuable player in the NFL. It is remarkable to witness the ineptitude of this team without Manning under center; it really puts his career into perspective. 

What has been equally remarkable is the fact that Manning's absence is the reason that the Colts are in contention for the best quarterback prospect since...err...Peyton Manning. It will be interesting to see who ends up with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft; it could easily be the Colts or the Dolphins. How does the NFL break a tie if both go winless?

I expect them to get no more than one win this season. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jack Del Rio's Jaguars are exactly who we thought they would be at the beginning of the season. They have a good running back in Maurice Jones Drew and a decent defense, but they are far from being in contention in a weak AFC South. 

The Jaguars have an extremely weak offense; they are 31st in points scored, and dead last in offensive yardage. Historically, Del Rio has a very weak coaching resume, and I do not expect him to be able to put rookie QB Gabbert in a position to win.

The Jaguars will not have a winning season this year. 

Tennessee Titans

It looks as though the Titans have found an able quarterback and mentor in Matt Hasselbeck; it appears as though the Titans' strong offensive line has breathed new life into the veteran's career. Hasselbeck is having one of the best years of his career; his QB rating and completion percentage are the second-highest of his career, just marginally below 2005, the year he led the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLI.

However, there have been a few reasons for concern in Nashville. While they settled contractual issues with RB Chris Johnson, their running game has yet to make an impact in the game. The Titans currently have the league's worst rushing attack, gaining an average of only 66.6 yards per game! Chris Johnson has been a huge part of the offense in years past, and the Titans need him to step up quickly.

I believe the Titans will win a very weak AFC South and expect that Hasselbeck will craft another exciting playoff run.

Denver Broncos

After last week, Tim Tebow was officially named the Broncos starter over Kyle Orton. As arguably the most polarizing figure in sports, there is no consensus about how he will fare on the professional level.

Personally, I believe this is was the right move for the Broncos. Starting the final three games of the 2010 season, Tebow brought his team back to life, and despite what his critics may say, he performed quite well. Compared to fellow rookies Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, there is not much difference in passing numbers. Granted, he only had a 50 percent completion percentage, but his QB rating was much higher than the other two rookies.

Additionally, Tebow has the athleticism to beat the defense with his feet and will use his athleticism to create major problems for opposing defenses the remainder of the year. 

At 1-4, there is nowhere to go but up, and I believe Tebow is the right person to energize the team and the fanbase. The Broncos will improve, but not enough to compete with the Raiders and Chargers.

Kansas City Chiefs

While the Chiefs have some legitimate playmakers, the team just is not that explosive or exciting. They are currently the 29th-worst team in terms of offensive scoring and last in terms of defensive points allowed per game. In other words, they do not generate many points on offense, and their defense is the easiest to score on.

It is clear that in order to get back to the playoffs, they will need to vastly improve on both sides of the ball. I do not see the Chiefs improving in 2011 and expect them to finish last in the AFC West.

Oakland Raiders

It should be interesting to see how the addition of Carson Palmer affects the Raiders. Giving up two first-round picks would seem to indicate that the Raiders are sold on Palmer being the long-term answer for QB. 

With the Raiders paying such a high price for the former Bengals QB, they are in a situation where this trade must work out. The troubling fact though is that Palmer peaked in 2005; since that time, he has seen a steady decline in his efficiency. However, this move could be just what Palmer needs to revive his career; Oakland is a talented team that may be able to excel with Palmer under center.

Personally, I do not think the trade for Palmer was worth it; they gave up too much and leveraged their future on a player whose stats have been declining for some years. However, they have one of the best offensive lines and running backs in the league to help move the chains.

I expect the Raiders to make the playoffs as a wild card.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers are the clear favorites in the AFC West, having the most balanced team in the their division. While other teams in the division are trying to improve, with the promotion of Tim Tebow and addition of Carson Palmer, the Chargers must still be considered the favorites.

The Chargers defense is the 10th-best in terms of points allowed and 13th-best in terms of points scored. While the Chargers will win the division this year.