The AFC is deep but who is the darkhorse team?

Answer 1

San Diego...we have no QB situation weighing on the offense, so we should finally be able to reach our potential. And couple that with the best rushing defense in the league...we will be hard to stop!

Answer 2

Jacksonville's running game is aging rapidly and Leftwich had consistent injury problems. I say they are on the way out. Lawrence Maroney doesn't have the talent to save the Patriots from their rot and decay in his rookie season any more than Cadillac Williams saved the Buccaneers. I would look for him to either underperform or be great but get injured as a result of too many carries. Belicheck and Brady are far from the offensive coordinator that Weis was. Are the Bengals still considered a dark horse? with their young defense getting a little more matured and Carson Palmer's hopeful return, they will be helping the Steelers and the Ravens take what was once considered one of the worst conferences in the league into one fo the best, I expect at least one AFC wildcard to come out of this division, but one of these teams will be shortchanged, simply because they all have to play eachother twice. The Dolphins can emerge to find a place for themselves if Brown performs and Culpepper finds a place, but their success will depend largely on Culpepper and Chambers finding a rhythm. The Steelers will still be a force, even though Roethlisberger lost half his face (pavement-1, Ben-0, I'm keeping score). Considering their big losses were the Bus (a backup) and Randell-El(who will be sorely missed).

I don't count teams that made the playoffs to be called dark horses, so the only palusible answer is the Dolphins with the Ravens, complete with perfoming Lewis' a healthy Bulger as a second possibility. Watch that Chambers, he is a fast one.

Answer 3

A darkhorse in the AFC could be Kansas City. Larry Johnson is the man there and in that offense, he could go for 2000 yards and at least 20 TDs provided he doesn't get hurt. Another darkhorse could be Baltimore with Steve McNair running the show and a healthy Jamal Lewis in the backfield. but the offense has to keep that awesome defense off the field.

Answer 4

AFC darkhorse team?
KC? - suspect D, no real threat at WR - NO
Miami? - don't think Culpepper will be the savior Dolphin fans are hoping for - NO
SD? - please...no way...no QB, no WR..all they do have is Tomlinson and he'll be worn out again by mid season - a BIG NO
Jacksonville - verge of a domionate D, need consistant play from Leftwitch and they may contend - YES
Baltimore - as a stretch but they have shored up the 1 place they were the weakest, QB, stiil not much at WR but if that D re-emerges and they get smart play from McNair...MAYBE

Answer 5

Definately Miami. They finished last season on a tear at 9-7. Also, New England has let another off season go without upgrading any positions, especially RB. Duante Culpepper is overratedc but he is better then Gus Frerrote. They have a good veteran defense. A younger offense and a fiery head coach. Look for them to win the afc east ir at least win a wild card.

Answer 6

Look for the Dolphins to be strong this year and you could even say that Pittsburgh is a dark horse team with the resurgance of the Bengals. I still think it is New England's Superbowl to lose.

Answer 7

The Browns

Answer 8

Titans did get V Young and L White. I know a lot of people are saying Young isn't ready but I believe that he will play this year and he will prove himself. I think this might be the team that surprises a lot of people.

Answer 9

Chiefs

Answer 10

Jacksonville