subject: Nfl Tickets - Afc Playoff Predictions [print this page] Here is how I see the AFC playoff picture shaping up in 2010:
AFC East Champ - New England Patriots: With all of the hype surrounding the Jets, a lot of people seem to be forgetting about the reigning division champs. The only reason the Jets even made the postseason as a Wild Card in 2009 was the fact that they faced backup players for good portions of their final two regular season games, enabling them to sneak into the playoffs. While the New England defense is suspect, the passing game should be firing on all cylinders again in 2010.
Remember, this is the same offense that set records and sold tons of NFL tickets in 2007. Tom Brady should be 100 percent healthy for the first time since his knee injury and Randy Moss will be giving full effort in a contract year. If Wes Welker's knee can hold up, this offense could again be the explosive unit that wowed so many fans just three years ago.
AFC North Champ - Baltimore Ravens: I think the Bengals will be in it to the end, but I like the direction that the Ravens are going in too much to pick anyone else. The Steelers will get off to a slow start due to Ben Roethlisberger's absence, while the Browns are in a rebuilding mode. The Bengals should be solid, especially through the air and on defense, but I'm dubious that Cedric Benson can repeat his 2009 performance.
As for the Ravens, I expect them to be much improved. They've got issues in the secondary, but that appears to be their only weakness. They've got one of the most explosive runners in the league in Ray Rice and 2010 could be a big year for young quarterback Joe Flacco. With Anquan Boldin and some new tight ends, Flacco should have his best season yet.
AFC South Champ - Indianapolis Colts: How could one pick any other team at this point? The Colts essentially own this division, and have done so for the better part of a decade. You can pretty much chalk this team up for 12 wins on an annual basis. I do think the Texans will be good this season, but not good enough to unseat the reigning division champs. The Indianapolis defense is not a great unit, and the Colts struggle to run the ball sometimes, but these factors didn't seem to matter much last season. As long as Peyton Manning is at the helm for the Colts, they're the favorite until proven otherwise.
AFC West Champ - San Diego Chargers: I think the Chargers will take a small step back in 2010, but it won't stop them from winning the division. I actually like what the Raiders are doing, which may mean that I've lost my mind, but I don't think they've made enough progress to unseat the Bolts. If Malcolm Floyd can step up and play like a number one and Ryan Mathews can stay consistent, the Chargers could run away with the division.
Wild Card - Houston Texans: The Texans seem like they've been on the cusp of the postseason forever, but I think 2010 is the year they finally break through. If Arian Foster is as good as he's looked in the preseason, Houston may finally have the running back that they've needed so badly. I am a bit worried about this team's defense, namely the secondary, but their passing game should be able to win them a couple of shootouts along the way.
Wild Card - New York Jets: For the record, this prediction if contingent on Darrelle Revis joining the team sometime before Week 5. Revis is such a big part of this defense that I think he will make or break the team's postseason hopes. They've got a good defense and running game, but I don't think Mark Sanchez is ready to lead this club quite yet. If Revis continues to hold out through Week 5, I think the Dolphins will replace the Jets in this spot.
