It’s been a while now since we at MacTalksNFL.co.uk took our First Looks at the AFC divisions. With pre-season getting going, let’s take a look and see if there’s anything to make us re-consider our positions.

Lucas Oil Stadium

Does the road to the Superbowl go through here?

Graham is on holiday, so this is down to Andrew and Craig. Let’s start with the AFC East…

AFC East

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Craig says: This is a difficult division to call. I don’t know how Graham did it last time! I have to say though, that I disagree with his original predictions.

Looking at the current line-ups and depth,  for me the Jets are the team to beat this year. They look solid all round. They have the depth, experience and youth all ready to come on to that field and make plays. The Patriots are missing Wes Welker, although he has just come back into the fold I still think it will take him a good 4 or 5 games to get back on the saddle (so to speak). The Jets are better defensively so I’ll put the Pats just behind them.

Miami have improved this off-season with a massive deal for Brandon Marshall who instantly improves this passing offence. They’ve got rid of Ted Ginn Jr (Finally!), which hopefully means we’ll be seeing more of Brian Hartline (a Mac favourite). Ronnie Brown is looking good meaning a massive boost in the running game. Give them all a season to click and next year I could see them making a push for a divisional win.

Buffalo, same as last year to be honest. They have the addition of CJ Spiller who will have a huge year in my opinion, their defence is still pretty good and they haven’t suffered any hard losses, but I just don’t see them making the push this year. Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, Bills for me.

Predictions (made 10th June 2010, revised 20th August 2010)

# Team
1 New York Jets (previously 3rd)
2 New England Patriots (previously 1st)
3 Miami Dolphins (previously 2nd)
4 Buffalo Bills (no change)

AFC North

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Craig says: When I first took a look at the AFC North division it was quite a while ago. Over 2 months in fact. I’m still confident that the predictions I made will be how the table will finish. The Bengals took Terrell Owens to their stadium which is obviously a big help to their offence, no doubt. I’m just think that the Ravens defence is slightly better and will win them games if the offence fails to click.

The Steelers are still without Big Ben for the first 4 games – at least – and I don’t think their back-ups are good enough to lead them to victory, especially without the experience of Santonio Holmes in the team (Holmes is showing skill and maturity in HBO’s Hard Knocks, looks like a great pickup for the Jets — Andrew). The Browns are improved, but not enough to move up the table. If they keep building the squad i’m sure that could change next year though! So yeah, no changes from my point of view!

Predictions (made 14th June 2010, no change 20th August 2010)

# Team
1 Baltimore Ravens
2 Cincinatti Bengals
3 Pittsburgh Steelers
4 Cleveland Browns

AFC South

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Andrew says: I think I called the Colts winning the AFC South as the ‘easiest call we get to make’. It still is.

Things are harder behind them though, and whilst I see the Jaguars still last I swap the Titans and Texans around in my mind every other day. I’m going to pay special attention to them through the rest of pre-season before making a final prediction, so will leave things as they are for now.

Predictions (made 12th July 2010, no changes 20th August 2010)

# Team
1 Indianapolis Colts
2 Houston Texans
3 Tennessee Titans
4 Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC West

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Andrew says: Another division where it should be straight-forward to call the winner.

I think the Raiders are due to surprise us this year and although I’m keeping a close eye on the Broncos (as part of the Wembley Watch series) it’s too early to do something as brave as having the Raiders coming second here. I liked their play – most of it – against the Cowboys last week; thought they showed great intensity and concentration on some solid defensive stands, but offensively the first team looked toothless. There is of course, still time to sort that.

Much like the South then, as I have no trouble putting the Chiefs last and will mull over second and third as the season progresses.

Predictions (made 18th July 2010, no change 20th August 2010)

# Team
1 San Diego Chargers
2 Denver Broncos
3 Oakland Raiders
4 Kansas City Chiefs

Image Credit: Carl van Rooy