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| Tom Brady has many new faces to mentor in Foxboro, including backup quarterback Tim Tebow. |
New England Patriots
(2012 record: 12-4)
Q: Can Tom Brady get the Patriots to a championship without his top receivers from last year?
Wes Welker signed with the Broncos. Brandon Lloyd is still a free agent. Danny Woodhead signed with the Chargers. Rob Gronkowski is recovering from surgery. Aaron Hernandez is done. Brady's top five pass-catchers from last season will not be with him on the field come week 1 of the 2013 season. In their place is an assortment of players; the somewhat unproven Danny Amendola, the veteran deep threat Michael Jenkins, the rookie receiver Aaron Dobson, and a shifty halfback in Leon Washington.
A: Of course. Tom Brady has played with a number of little known, average talent receivers and made them shine. He can do it again this season.
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| Dolphins rookie DE Dion Jordan displays Miami's new uniforms. |
(2012 record: 7-9)
Q: Will the large number of free agent acquisitions help the Dolphins dethrone the Patriots?
The Dolphins signed a plethera of free agents this offseason in hopes of forming a strong contender to the now-annual division champion Patriots. Tyson Clabo, Dannelle Ellerbe, Brent Grimes, Dustin Keller, and Mike Wallace all "took their talents to South Beach". Developing quarterback Ryan Tannehill and head coach Joe Philbin plan on taking the AFC East crown using these new weapons.
A: They'll make it extremely close. This dream team feels different than the 2011 Eagles, but it's tough to see them mesh in just one off-season and catch Tom Brady.
New York Jets
(2012 record: 6-10)
Q: Can Rex Ryan return the Jets to a formidable form?
Tim Tebow is out. Geno Smith is in. I'm saving my quarterback controversy discussion for the Oakland Raiders. Not everything that goes wrong for this team is Mark Sanchez's fault. The defense in 2012 ranked an atrocious 25th in total yards/game, specifically poor for a team with a defensive-minded head coach. Rex Ryan should and probably will be fired if the Jets don't make it to the playoffs this year. It is possible all three division rivals are improved. New York must show they are too.
A: No. Rex Ryan will be out as the head coach of the Jets. They may even have the number one pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills
(2012 record: 6-10)
Q: How will all the rookies fare in their first year?
This question isn't just pertaining to the players. First-time GM Doug Whaley and first-time NFL head coach Doug Marrone also need to show Buffalo fans that they have what it takes to bring a bottom feeder out of its hardship. E.J. Manuel, Robert Woods, and Marquise Goodwin will try to reignite a starved offense.
A: The Bills seem to be taking a turn for the better, but it will take time before they are considered a legitimate threat for the playoffs.
AFC NORTH
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| Joe Flacco will have to work without Anquan Boldin, his #2 receiver from 2012. |
Baltimore Ravens
(2012 record: 10-6)
Q: Can the depleted Ravens repeat as Super Bowl champions?
It is not uncommon for a few players to leave a team they just won a championship with. It is uncommon for a majority of a team's defensive stars to depart from that team. With Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and co. gone, the Ravens have found themselves in a small-scale rebuilding process. However, Baltimore has made it to the AFC Divisional playoffs every season since 2008, and should do just as well with both its new talent, attained through both the draft and free agency, and its sound coaching.
A: Doubtful. While they won't be a bad team in any sense, many defending champions have fallen while having far more talent on their roster.
Cincinnati Bengals
(2012 record: 10-6)
Q: Can Andy Dalton push the Bengals to the next level?
Coming out of TCU, Dalton was considered an average quarterback with an accurate but weak arm. After tossing a total of 7,067 passing yards and taking the Bengals to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, most critics have been silenced. Cincinnati now wants to see how much further he can take this team. They lost to the Texans in consecutive playoffs, and until they win in the postseason, other clubs will write them off as beatable.
A: Yes. As long as his relationship with phenom A.J. Green continues to blossom and the rest of the Bengals grow, there is a very probable chance that they will become a team to fear in the future.
Pittsburgh Steelers
(2012 record: 8-8)
Q: Are the Steelers too old?
Usually when a franchise has had a roster with many multi-year starters, the phrase "closing championship window" comes up. As it seems more and more that this occurence is a myth, the Steelers may have one at their doorstep. While they attempted to eradicate some age by releasing veterans like James Harrison and Rashard Mendenhall, many of their starters have played eight seasons or more.
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| This rivalry may be more intense in 2013 than it has been in past season. |
Cleveland Browns
(2012 record: 5-11)
Q: Will the Browns be able to compete with their division rivals?
The Browns, like the Bills, are possibly heading in the right direction for the first time in years. GM Jimmy Haslam and new head coach Rob Chudzinski have created a new atmosphere in Cleveland, and it seems they are ready for a challenge. Running back Trent Richardson, although he had a surprisingly low 3.6 yards/carry his rookie year, should help drive this team back to relevance.
A: More than they have in the past. They may even pass the Steelers for third in the division. But with the Ravens as defending champs and the Bengals growing into a powerhouse, it will still be an uphill battle in the six division matchups.
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