NFL - American Football Conference (AFC) - Projections of 2006 Season Final Team Standings
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC
AFC Playoffs 2006-2007:
· Wild Card: K.C. Chiefs beat New England Patriots; Miami Dolphins beat San Diego Chargers
· Division: Indianapolis Colts beat Miami Dolphins; Cincinnati Bengals beat Kansas City Chiefs
· NFC Championship: Indianapolis Colts beat Cincinnati Bengals
Last Update: September 5, 2006
AFC East
Division Snapshot: The Dolphins could easily win the east. And the Bills could easily be competitive. But, at the end of the day, Brady and the Patriots are the safe pick.
1. New England Patriots Bill Belichick
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 10-6, lost to Denver (27-13) in divisional playoff
Record (2004): 14-2, won Super Bowl XXXIX 24-21
Problems: The Patriots are in a tough, competitive division-- and conference for that matter.
Recap: Still have solid starters at most key positions. But, need a big year from Tom Brady just to match last year's record.
2. Miami Dolphins Nick Saban
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 9-7
Record (2004): 4-12
Problems: As goes Daunte Culpepper, so will go the Dolphins. This means one thing-- uncertainty.
Recap: At times, the Dolphins should dominate. With Chambers, Culpepper, and Ronnie Brown the offense will be especially exciting to watch when it's clicking.
3. New York Jets Eric Mangini
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 10-6, lost to Pittsburgh in AFC divisional playoff (20-17, OT)
Problems: The Curtis Martin injury issue was a drawn out saga in the preseason. And the Jets never really sought to address the issue.
Recap: An improvement from last year should be expected. The Jets will need Pennington to play every week for a bigger turnaround.
4. Buffalo Bills Dick Jauron
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 5-11
Record (2004): 9-7
Problems: Neither Losman or Holcomb appear capable of leading the Bills offense.
Recap: MaGahee's talent is being wasted in Buffalo without a worthy QB running the offense. A whole new philosophy is needed on offense and it doesn't look like new coach, Dick Jauron, will be disruptive enough.
AFC West
Division Snapshot: Offensively, the experienced QB leadership of Trent Green and the running game of Larry Johnson might mean its the Chiefs year. Chargers and Broncos all comes down to QB performance.
1. Kansas City Chiefs Herm Edwards
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 10-6
Record (2004): 7-9
Problems: The Chiefs usually have a continual underperformance problem.
Recap: New coach, Herm Edwards, comes in from the Jets-- which doesn't inspire too much optimism. However, the division has tilted in favor of the Chiefs with Brees out of the way and Denver's running game in flux.
2. San Diego Chargers Marty Schottenheimer
2006 projected record: 9-7
Record (2005): 9-7
Record (2004): 12-4, lost to NY Jets (20-17, OT) in wild card.
Problems: The Chargers are relying on Rivers at QB this season.
Recap: But, with experience on offense (L.T. and Gates) we think the Chargers will be fine with Rivers. He might even impress some people.
3. Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan
2006 projected record: 9-7
Record (2005): 13-3, lost to Pittsburgh (34-17) in AFC championship
Record (2004): 10-6, got crushed by Indianapolis (again) in Wild Card game 49-24
Problems: Is it the best of both worlds having Plummer and Cutler? Or, the beginning of controversy in Denver?
Recap: It's unclear whether Mike and Tatum Bell will be able to fill the big shoes of Mike Anderson and his 13 TD's last year. And Plummer is always a risk. Maybe its not Denver's year this season.
4. Oakland Raiders Art Snell
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 5-11
Problems: Aaron Brooks has been looking like an NFL back-up lately.
Recap: Not enough seems to have changed in the right direction for the Raiders to turn things around.
AFC North
Division Snapshot: .
1. Cincinnati Bengals Marvin Lewis
2006 projected record: 11-5
Record (2005): 11-5, lost to Pittsburgh (31-17) in wild card
Record (2004): 8-8
Problems: Carson Palmer's health is critical to the Bengals success.
Recap: The offense is simply too good to imagine the Bengals not winning this division-- Palmer, Johnson & Johnson, and T.J. Whosyourmamma.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers Bill Cowher
2006 projected record: 9-7
Record (2005): 11-5, Won the Super Bowl (21-10) VS Seattle
Record (2004): 15-1, Lost to New England (41-27) in AFC Championship
Problems: Will the loss of the Bus cause a drop in wins; or, are the Steelers all Big Ben?
Recap: Another double-digit win season is possible if Roethlisberger is around to guide the offense. But, in the grind-it-out offense, the Steelers will also need big things from Willie Parker.
3. Cleveland Browns Romeo Crennel
2006 projected record: 8-8
Record (2005): 6-10
Record (2004): 4-12
Problems: The running game. Droughns has expressed doubt in himself. He isn't durable enough for a full season of punishment.
Recap: That said, the air attack will be much improved this season with Frye, Winslow, and Joe J. And that can take heat off of R.D. There is upside for the Browns this year.
4. Baltimore Ravens Brian Billick
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 6-10
Record (2004): 9-7
Problems: Two competitive RB's could spell problems.
Recap: Change of scenery may not be enough to revive McNair's game. Still, the offseason changes have provided at least a glimmer of hope that anything is possible this year.
AFC South
Division Snapshot: .
1. Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy
2006 projected record: 12-4
Record (2005): 14-2, lost to Pittsburgh (21-18) in divisional playoff
Record (2004): 12-4, lost to New England in AFC divisional playoff (20-3)
Problems: Addai and Rhodes were unimpressive in preseason, which means defenses will be able to focus more on Manning.
Recap: Even without James, the Colts are simply too solid-- both on offense and defense to imagine anything but an easy double-digit win season.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars Jack Del Rio
2006 projected record: 7-9
Record (2005): 12-4, lost to New England (28-3) in wild card
Record (2004): 9-7
Problems: Leftwich's health is one thing. His inconsistency is another. He needs a solid year.
Recap: There is a lot of pressure on the Jaguars defense.
3. Tennessee Titans Jeff Fisher
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 5-11
Problems: No indications regarding the running game.
Recap: Vince Young will make Titans games worth watching. It's just a matter of how much time it takes Fisher and Company to just give Vince control.
4. Houston Texans Gary Kubiak
2006 projected record: 5-11
Record (2005): 2-14
Record (2004): 7-9
Problems: Sky's the limit for the Texans. No where to go but up.
Recap: For new coach, Gary Kubiak, he may be able to relax in his role knowing that if some criticism comes, most of it will be directed toward management for passing on Reggie Bush.
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