And the AFC winner is....

I wouldn't be a true New England fan, a homer if you will, if I didn't pick the Patriots to win it all. As a matter of fact the 'homer' in me actually thinks that this team could go undefeated, but I'll settle for 13 - 3. We'll know everything we need to know about the 2005 Patriots within the first 6 weeks. Besides hosting the Randy Moss Raiders and the 12-4 Chargers, the Pats will play AT Carolina, AT Pittsburgh, AT Atlanta and AT Denver. It's a tough schedule to just play the road games from our division (Miami Jets Bills). So this year, in addition to the 'other' obstacles (Weis Crennel Ted & Tedy) the schedule won't be easy.
On the flip side, the league has created a 16 lane, well lit, super highway straight from Indianapolis to Detroit (the sight of Superbowl XL). I just don't understand why the league loves Peyton Manning and his whiny coach so much. OK, so they have to play at Baltimore and Seattle. Their toughest game is @ NE, so the NFL has provided them a bye week before the Pats, just to make sure they'll be ready. Don't forget that they'll also have to play juggernauts SF, Houston, Jax, Cleveland and Arizona.

AFC east
Upon initial review, My order was NE, Buf, Jets, Miami. After reviewing the schedules and watching a LOT of NFL network I give you my revised final standings as :
New England 13 - 3
New York 10 - 6
Buffalo 8 - 8
Miami 6-10

Buffalo just has too strong a schedule to take 2nd and while the Jets have some tough road games, they may go undefeated at home. Miami should hold it's own in many games, but they really don't have a very easy shedule.

AFC north
I AM actually picking this division based on schedule and off-season moves, not based on my dislike of the city of Pittsburgh.
Baltimore 11 - 5
Pittsburgh 10 - 6
Cincinnati 9 - 7
Cleveland 3 -13

Baltimore's schedule is too easy. Pittsburgh has a hell of a raod schedule. Cincinnati MAY get 2nd and 10-6 if one play goes their way vs. Pitt, so watch those games closely. For some reason the cellar-dwellars all have hard schedules this season and Crennel has himself a brutal one.

AFC south

The road to the Superbowl in the AFC this year goes through Indy. The other three teams in this division seem pretty average so this division is picked purely based on schedule.
Manning 14 - 2
Jacksonville 8 - 8
Tennessee 8 - 8
Houston 6 - 10

I like Houston, I REALLY do, but again, their schedule is one of the toughes in football. Jax and Tenn should be completely average this year. Indy has an easy division, an easy schedule and they will HOST the AFC championship game this year. -yet another obstacle for the Pats.

AFC west
Who the hell knows what will happen in this division. It's just too damn hard to tell, though to me, KC looks to be the best team.
Kansas City 11 - 5
Denver 10 - 6
San Diego 9 - 7
Oakland 6 - 10

KC improved its defense on paper and I think the O won't be what it has been, but the schedule is favorable. Denver is an enigma to me, but they can run the ball and again, the schedule is favorable. There is NO way Drew Brees repeats last year's performance and the QB controversy will ruin this team. Oakland may outscore everyone this year, but they have NO defense and Collins led the league in INT's thrown last season. They also have a killer schedule.

For the Playoffs your 4 division winners are NE, Baltimore, Indy and KC.
I have 3 teams at 10-6 but only 2 wild card slots, but I'm going with the Jets and Steelers.
AFC Championship game will be NE @ Indy.
It will be even more enjoyable to watch a dumbfounded Peyton Manning walk off his home field shaking his head in disbielief as the Pats go on to the XL Superbowl.