Now that the NFC has kicked off the season, it’s time for the second part of our NFL preview: the AFC.
As with the first part, the odds are the opinion of this writer of course, as are the predicted records.
Jacksonville Jaguars; 2-14 projected record, 1:180 Super Bowl odds—In his first season last year, quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed just 50.8 percent of his throws and will need a lot of help to improve on that number this year. Mix in the fact that the team’s best offensive player, running back Maurice Jones-Drew, missed all of mini-camp and training camp and is probably not in football shape and you have the proud holder of the NFL’s top draft pick next spring.
Miami Dolphins; 4-12 projected record, 125:1 Super Bowl odds—The Dolphins traded away their top offensive player in wideout Brandon Marshall and now have a rookie starting quarterback that most pundits thought they selected way too high in last spring’s draft. Unless Reggie Bush doubles his output from last season it seems highly doubtful they have enough scoring to keep up with the league.
Tennessee Titans; 5-11 projected record, 110:1 Super Bowl odds—The Titans are attempting to make the switch from aging quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to second-year prospect Jake Locker. How it goes may depend on whether Chris Johnson, who had a career-worst 1,047 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season, rebounds.
Indianapolis Colts; 6-10 projected record, 85:1 Super Bowl odds—The new-look Colts looked thin at a number of positions last season, not even including quarterback where Peyton Manning’s absence was easily the most notable. After getting Andrew Luck with the first pick in last year’s draft they’ve only filled one of those voids.
Oakland Raiders; 7-9 projected record, 75:1 Super Bowl odds—The Raiders paid a high price (a first and a second round pick) to get Carson Palmer and become an average team with an aging quarterback. Fortunately they still have Darren McFadden who’s averaged more than five yards a carry each of the last two years with him in the backfield.
Kansas City Chiefs; 7-9 projected record, 65:1 Super Bowl odds—The Chiefs, just two years removed from winning the AFC West with a 10-6 record, look to be near rebuilding mode again. But if Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles rebound from major injuries they could compete in an uncertain division. We’re guessing they’re somewhere in between.
San Diego Chargers; 7-9 projected record, 55:1 Super Bowl odds—The Chargers have been in steady decline for the past two seasons and with Vincent Jackson now gone they don’t look like they’re going in the right direction. Last year’s over-dependence on the right arm of Philip Rivers resulted in a career-high 582 passing attempts and a career-worst 20 interceptions.
