AFC: 2016 way too early division championship predictions

Which National Football League AFC team will claim their division in 2016? Here are some predictions for division winners as well as AFC playoff teams.

Earlier this week, predictions were made for each of the divisions in the NFC as to which teams would come out on top, which squads would make the playoffs, and which franchises would disappoint. Now, it’s time to shift the focus to the other conference.

Continuing our early look at picking the winners and wild cards for each NFL division we now take a look at the AFC. Which teams will repeat as division winners and who might take a step back in 2016.

AFC West

The Denver Broncos are the world champions and until they’re dethroned they will remain my top pick. John Elway is making some head scratching moves this offseason, but he does have a few rings so I will keep quiet in the meantime. One team that may surprise everyone are the Oakland Raiders. Former Viking Jack Del Rio is building a talented young roster, especially on defense. Oakland has a young group of core players that any GM can build around.

The Kansas City Chiefs are solid, but just can’t seem to get over the hump to take that next step. The Chargers have an aging QB in Philip Rivers who’s team seems to be suffering from the injury bug over the last few years.

Broncos win the division and the surprising Raiders claim a Wild Card birth.

AFC East

This maybe the easiest pick of the bunch, the New England Patriots will take home the division title once again, but it may be a bit of a battle for Tom Brady’s club. If the Jets can get Ryan Fitzpatrick under contract they might be able to challenge the mighty Patriots. The Jets will take a step backwards this season leaving room for my surprise Wild Card team.

The Buffalo Bills will shock everyone and claim the second Wild Card spot in the 2016 playoffs. Rex and Rob Ryan will have this team playing some inspired football, somehow finding a way to sneak into the big dance.

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The Patriots win the division but the surprising Bills will sneak up and snatch the second Wild Card spot.

AFC North

With the exception of the lowly Browns this will be a very competitive division. The Pittsburgh Steelers are loaded up on both sides of the ball and should re-take the division from a solid Bengals team in 2016. Look for Big Ben to make amends for last years playoff debacle, hoping injuries won’t be their Achilles heel once again.

The Baltimore Ravens are in the application process of getting their NFL AARP membership cards. With age comes wisdom but it will only equate to a third place finish for the Ravens.

The Steelers will finish first in the AFC North to punch their card to a playoff berth.

Next: Vikings game-by-game 2016 season preview

AFC South

It should be a battle between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Did the Colts do enough to protect Andrew Luck from suffering anymore internal injuries, JJ Watt and the bruising Texans defense will test Colts GM Ryan Grigson’s offseason moves. Can the Texans offense get rolling behind the Brockweiler? I will always put my money on defense in this league and I see Houston edging out the Colts to claim the South.

Don’t look past the Jacksonville Jaguars as they will be popping up on writers “sleeper teams” for 2016. Do you think the Tennessee Titans are regretting passing on hiring Mike Zimmer as their head coach, in the basement is where they shall remain.

Houston wins the division and Colts GM Grigson is looking for a new job in 2017.

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