Now the reason I choose this title is because while there are two legit Super Bowl contenders in this conference, there are 3 teams that look to shock and ruin those teams chances to stack another Super Bowl appearance onto their legacy.
1. Division Clinchers
East: New England Patriots
I remember watching the Monday Night Football Game between the Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs, and I personally knew the Chiefs were going to win the game but I didn't think it would be a blowout, and boy was I wrong. But what I didn't see coming was that everyone thought that New England was dead in the water and that Tom Brady was washed up. They then went to demolish Chicago, Cincinnati, Buffalo and what's left of the New York Jets. This team scares me more than Denver because while I know what Denver can do, New England for some reason seems to be in the running for a championship every year. The only question they need to address is the defensive backfield especially when they play Detroit the week before Thanksgiving. Can this backfield be labeled the best after that game or will they be the goat of the game and cause them a pivotal loss? We shall see.
North: Baltimore Ravens/ Cincinnati Bengals
While Cincinnati has swept the season series against Baltimore, there is no way I can seriously tell you, the fans, that Cincinnati will win the division. I think this divisional crown will come down to best record, and it also means that Baltimore has to win out for the rest of the division games, and hope that Cincinnati loses a game in the division and ends up with a worst record than them. One of these teams will more than likely have the top wild card of the AFC, while the other will be faced against a wild card team, possibly the 2nd place team in this division.
South: Indianapolis Colts
This team has been a factor since Andrew Luck's emergence into the NFL. My problem with him? He is exactly what Peyton Manning was when he was a Colt: Great in the regular season, but HORRIBLE to average at best in the playoffs. I can't understand the level of admiration Luck gets, because to me, he hasn't proved anything to me but hopefully this becomes the year when he does.
West: Denver Broncos
What can be said that hasn't before? You have Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the league. Possibly the best receiving corps in the league. But whats the difference from last year? That defense. They look more deadly than last year that allowed the Seahawks to hang 40 on them in the Super Bowl. But can this defense play when the pressure isn't just in the 4th quarter but the entire game? Only time will tell and that time is becoming sooner than later.
2. Dark Horses
East: Buffalo Bills
What? The Bills? The Buffalo Bills? Yeah I know this seems like a bad joke but Buffalo has been making some noise. After getting a new owner and being inspired by Jim Kelly beating cancer, this team is playing like gang-busters and they want to win every time they go onto the field. They also are doing it without a legit starting quarterback, which is amazing, but having rookie receiver Sammy Watkins helps out a lot. I see this team getting a wild card spot and make the city of Buffalo proud, no matter how far they go.
West: San Diego Chargers
This team was my favorite to shock the AFC West, and granted they haven't been playing well in the past couple of weeks. But I still think that this team will make the playoffs, IF. And you're probably wondering why I put an IF there. Well take a look at the standings. San Diego has 5 teams on their heels for the second wild card spot in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Miami and Cleveland. Now the game between Baltimore and Pittburgh will knock one back, so will week 10's Thursday Night game of Cinncinati and Cleveland if the Bengals win. All the SuperChargers have to do is continue winning and hope that none of those teams go on a hot streak.
3. Disappointment
For the disappointments, the following teams are so bad that they don't even deserve a description. just google new search them and you'll see for yourself.
South: Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars
East: New York Jets
West: Oakland Raiders
Possible AFC Title Matchups
For every other team not named Patriots or Broncos vs Patriots or Broncos
Its hard for me to look at the other teams that have played against New England and Denver and say that they can legitimately go into those environments and win but there is one team that can: the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, in that playoff run of 2 years ago, beat both Denver and New England on their home turf. If Baltimore can make the playoffs, then they are a legit threat.
Denver vs Broncos( week 9 rematch)
As I said in the NFC piece, I don't want to jinx the game but I will say this: This game, if it happens will be the 17th meeting between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Without going further these games have decided who goes to the Super Bowl, so take my advice, watch the game, sit back grab a snack and enjoy.
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