NFL 2015-16 Team Previews - The AFC

AFC East:

Buffalo Bills - They have a roster ready to win now, but no quarterback to seal the deal. There defence is that good they merely need a competent QB to make the playoffs. (Projection 8-8)

Miami Dolphins - Miami have had a collective upgrade this off-season but need to maximize their strengths to de-throne New England which means leaning heavily on the defensive line. They need to stay injury free as well as they do not have much depth. They should start well as their first five matches are winnable but he real tests will come over the final 11 games where there schedule gets a lot tougher. (Projection 9-7)

New England Patriots - The Patriots have not had a top-ten defence since 2006 and with the loss of Darrelle Revis to the Jets they are going to have serious issues stopping most functional scoring attacks, but the offense under Brady has been by far the best single unit of the last 10 years and absolute key to their success as is their home-field advantage where they have only lost once in the last two years. They will be in contention once more. (Projection 12-4)

New York Jets - Significant roster overhaul point's to the Jets reversing recent decline and once again fielding one of the best defences in the NFL, but the Jets’ offense is going to be terrible. They will improve on last season’s 4-12 record and could compete for a wild card but they won’t be a serious playoff contender until they sort out a decent QB. (Projection 8-8)

AFC North:

Baltimore Ravens - They look poised for another title run and should reach the playoffs though they still have work to do to supplant the Patriots atop the conference and the Steelers and Bengals atop the division. They have a really strong offensive line and good QB in Flacco. (Projection 10-6)

Cincinnati Bengals - The core of this team have made it to four straight play-offs and it is still strong and balanced, they look like they can make it again after possibly another tight three-way battle with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. (Projection 9-7)

Cleveland Browns - The loss of Kyle Shanahan is a massive blow as he was a huge reason for the team’s success as offensive coordinators are very important when you don’t have high quality quarterback play.  An inability to stop the run was a major issue for the Browns last year, and extensive measures have been taken to correct it but they have a difficult schedule and will do well to better last year’s 7-9. (Projection 4-12)

Pittsburgh Steelers - 2015 may be a year too soon for the Steelers to truly compete for a championship as they have a really tough schedule, they could still get better at running the football, but have incredible efficiency as a passing team with a top draw QB. (Projection 9-7)

AFC South:

Houston Texans - No decent QB, their recent drafts have been abysmal & free agency has often yielded small-stakes duds all this has left them with a roster that’s quickly becoming bereft of talent and they will remain on the fringes of the playoffs. (Projection 7-9)

Indianapolis Colts - As long as the Colts have a healthy Luck, they are a Super Bowl contender, and some of this year’s changes should lead to the best roster put around the QB so far. They just have to stop throwing in random blowouts and be a little more consistent. (Projection 13-3)

Jacksonville Jaguars - No matter what you think about the rest of Jacksonville’s squad, it’s almost impossible to figure out where the franchise goes from here without a real verdict on Bortles that we won’t have until we’re at least halfway through the 2015 season.  Julius Thomas is a very good signing and they have improved there awful offensive line. (Projection 6-10)

Tennessee Titans - They have made some moves in the off-season and have a highly rated young QB in Mariota but are these moves a recipe for transition from dreadful back to mediocre, or can a defence with no glaring weaknesses and just enough high-end talent allow the offense to play the way it needs to? They will improve this year and possibly be play-off contender next year. (Projection 6-10)

AFC West:

Denver Broncos - Regardless of what you believe happened to Manning and Denver last year, this is still one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and a genuine contender for the AFC Championship. The offensive line is clearly Denver’s biggest weakness but if the coaches can get the running game and defence peaking in the playoffs, then Manning will have all the team support needed for a title run. (Projection 11-5)

Kansas City Chiefs - This is a solid team who will be a lot healthier this season as they lost 3 starters in Week 1 last year. But the QB is not good enough to lead the team to the playoffs and there schedule is tough. (Projection 8-8)

Oakland Raiders - The last 20 years have only produced three winning seasons (2000-02). Oakland’s active streak of 12 seasons without a winning record or playoff appearance is the sixth-longest streak since 1960. The Raiders will struggle just to pull out six wins this year. The schedule is not kind and their talent pales in comparison to most of the league.  (Projection 4-12)

San Diego Chargers - The combination of Rivers and a roster depreciating in talent has not made San Diego much of a serious contender. The Chargers have not won more than nine games since 2009 and have just one playoff win in the last six seasons. They remain an offensive-driven team that will go possibly 9-7 and be scrapping for a play-off spot come week 17. (Projection 9-7)

AFC Thoughts

Indianapolis to take the conference title and this group stands a very good chance of making its Superbowl debut as long as the QB stays healthy. Divisional winners I project to be New England, Indianapolis, Baltimore and Denver.  Wildcards Miami & Cincinnati.

After looking through some prices I like the look of the Colts to take the AFC Conference and will play them at 5.50.

I also like the 10.5 about Indianapolis to win the Superbowl and will be taking some of that.