{"id":77244,"date":"2015-08-24T14:55:33","date_gmt":"2015-08-24T14:55:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sandbox.web.rcn.net\/rcntv\/?p=77244"},"modified":"2023-03-01T23:59:18","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T23:59:18","slug":"behind-mic-afc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.astound.com\/atvn\/behind-mic-afc\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Mic: The AFC"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2015 NFL football season is just a little over two weeks away.\u00a0 The NFL kicks off with the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> taking on the New England Patriots<\/a>.\u00a0 That is one of the premiere AFC matchups this season, despite all the controversy and absence of star players.\u00a0 So, there is no better time to make my AFC predictions for 2015.<\/p>\n

AFC WEST<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Broncos <\/a>\u2013 <\/strong>Peyton Manning<\/a> has outstanding receivers, and RB CJ Anderson<\/a>, a so-so offensive line, but that offense is supported by a very good defense. They should repeat as division champs.<\/li>\n
  2. Chiefs <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Jamaal Charles<\/a> is, perhaps, the best running back in the league. Jeremy Maclin<\/a> was brought over from the Eagles<\/a> because no Chiefs\u2019 wide receiver caught a TD pass last year.\u00a0 Justin Houston<\/a> leads an outstanding defense.\u00a0 Could win division; definitely a wild-card.<\/li>\n
  3. Chargers <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Their schedule is a bit unfavorable \u2013 three early starts in the East.<\/li>\n
  4. Raiders <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Oakland is gradually becoming very good with draft choices. Not quite ready to make the playoffs, but the future is bright.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    AFC SOUTH<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Colts <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 The Colts record has improved every year since Andrew Luck<\/a> started at quarterback \u2013 wild card in 2012; division playoffs in 2013; AFC title game in 2014. Hmm \u2013 what does the mean for 2015?<\/li>\n
    2. Texans <\/a>\u2013 <\/strong>If they have good quarterback leadership (either Brian Hoyer<\/a> or Ryan Mallett<\/a>), this team looks very good. RB Arian Foster<\/a>\u2019s injury could really hurt them, but their defense, led by JJ Watt<\/a>, can win games.<\/li>\n
    3. Jaguars <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Despite being young and talented, they are not ready for prime time.<\/li>\n
    4. Titans <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 They have an awful schedule that will keep them in last place, but I want to watch Marcus Mariota<\/a> succeed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      AFC NORTH<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Steelers <\/a>\u2013 <\/strong>They are in the toughest division; have a very difficult schedule; a reworked defense. BUT, they could have the best offense in the conference when RB Le\u2019Veon Bell<\/a> comes back in the third game.<\/li>\n
      2. Ravens <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 They are ALWAYS good and this year will be no exception. Five of first seven on the road does not help, but they will make the playoffs.<\/li>\n
      3. Bengals <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 The Bengals have not won a playoff game in 24 years. Make it 25.<\/li>\n
      4. Browns <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Are they ever picked anywhere else? Don\u2019t be fooled by easy early schedule.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        AFC EAST<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Patriots <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 No Brady early, but they started 2-2 last year. As much as non-New England fans want them to fail, Bill Belichick<\/a> is still the best coach in the division until someone proves otherwise.<\/li>\n
        2. Bills <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 What Eagles\u2019 fan will not be watching LeSean McCoy<\/a>\u2019s numbers? He will really help the Bills on offense and they always have a good offense.\u00a0 They have not made the playoffs in 15 years.\u00a0 Can Rex Ryan get them there this year?<\/li>\n
        3. Dolphins <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 I am uneasy about this pick. This team could surprise everyone.\u00a0 Their schedule, early on, is very easy.\u00a0 Ndamukong Suh<\/a> is a great addition to the defense and QB Ryan Tannehill<\/a> just keeps getting better.<\/li>\n
        4. Jets <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Excellent defense. QB Geno Smith<\/a> out for awhile. They\u2019re the Jets, however.\u00a0 Enough said.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          AFC Championship Game<\/strong>
          \n\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Colts defeat the Patriots<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The 2015 NFL football season is just a little over two weeks away.\u00a0 The NFL kicks off with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the New England Patriots.\u00a0 That is one of the premiere AFC matchups this season, despite all the controversy and absence of star players.\u00a0 So, there is no better time to make my…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"Yoast SEO Relevanssi index exclude","inline_featured_image":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4],"tags":[594],"class_list":["post-77244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-behind-the-mic","category-featured","category-sports","tag-afc-football"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBehind the Mic: The AFC - 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