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Health & Fitness

AFC Predictions: Patriots, Ravens, Texans, Chargers

Peter Marzano's predictions for the division winners in the AFC.

Hello all, I'm Peter Marzano and I'm back to predict the AFC division winners in 2011. The AFC has a lot more question marks than the NFC, which should make it very interesting come Week 14-17. 

AFC East

1. New England: 13-3

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2. NY Jets: 11-5

3. Buffalo: 8-8

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4. Miami: 7-9

Regardless of how well New England does in the postseason, they are still the team to beat in the AFC East. The Jets are continuing to inch closer, but Tom Brady is still in top form and can lead the Patriots to still dominate the division.

Buffalo is finally starting to regain some strength to possibly make a playoff run in a year or two, with a more stable defense. Miami will have to begin the rebuilding process as Chad Henne, as of right now, is not good enough to lead his team to the playoffs. If Miami picks up a QB in the draft, then they can be back in the race. But for right now, it's time to rebuild.

AFC North

1. Baltimore: 12-4

2. Pittsburgh: 11-5

3. Cleveland: 7-9

4. Cincinnati: 6-10

This may quite possibly be the most interesting race in the NFL with Baltimore and Pittsburgh battling down to the end. This year, Baltimore seems to be the slightly stronger team, maintaining their physical defense and dynamic offense. Pittsburgh will be playing in January regardless of what happens in the division, but the Steelers haven't been making enough active changes, and even if you have a ring, typically a team can't duplicate that success.

Cleveland is slowly starting to get competitive again, as Colt McCoy is maturing into a very good QB. Once McCoy is able to work more collectively with his offense, the Browns will be great again. Cincinnati lost Carson Palmer, which really hurts them, so Cincinnati must start rebuilding, and search for a QB at the draft.

AFC South

1. Houston: 10-6

2. Indianapolis: 8-8

3. Tennessee: 7-9

4. Jacksonville: 6-10

This division will stay relatively close, but history will be made, as the Texans should be able to pull off their first division championship. Matt Schaub has become a dynamic passer, and with one of the best QB-WR pairs in the NFL, Houston will take the AFC South.

Indianapolis will put it together later in the year, but won't be able to overcome not having Peyton Manning. Tennessee and Jacksonville will rebuild this year, as both need to find a better offense to become truly competitive again.

AFC West

1. San Diego: 9-7

2. Oakland: 8-8

3. Denver: 6-10

4. Kansas City: 5-11

This will be a tight division with no true powerhouse. San Diego should be able to take this in the end, but Oakland is a competitor and will look for that playoff spot. San Diego will soon have to rebuild and Jason Campbell is finally starting to show true talent, which could really help Oakland in the future.

Tim Tebow is starting to become more fit as an NFL Quarterback, and is getting closer and closer to proving his critics wrong. Denver is not strong enough as a team to compete in the AFC West, however. Kansas City will have a down year, and now need to critically look at what is a faulty defense before they can take the West again.

That's what I have for the AFC division winners. I will be back next time looking at the MLB Postseason possibilities as we head into the final weekend.

This is Peter Marzano, thank you for reading.

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