NFL preview 2017: AFC points to consider
The New England Patriots are the best team in football, but lately, they have been taking on some water. After winning Super Bowl LI, the Patriots added ample talent in the offseason, acquiring Brandin Cooks, Kony Ealy and Dwayne Allen via trade while adding Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead, Stephon Gilmore and others in free agency.
Then, the preseason took its toll. Julian Edelman, Derek Rivers and Cyrus Jones were all lost for the season with torn ACLs. Additionally, Ealy was released after poor play, compounding a growing notion that New England will have trouble rushing the passer without the retired Rob Ninkovich, and the departures of Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long.
While New England isn’t without its issues, it remains the best team by a considerable margin in the AFC. Still, there are a few challengers to the throne worth discussing.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the most obvious threat to New England. Pittsburgh has a fantastic offense, maybe the best in the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger seems to annually be contemplating retirement, but he remains a top-five quarterback in the league. On the outside, Roethlisberger has the NFL’s top receiver in Antonio Brown, who now has his running mate in Martavis Bryant. Bryant was suspended all of last year, but has been reinstated. Behind a terrific offensive line stands Le’Veon Bell, arguably the best running back alive. Bell is a dual threat, able to rush for 1,500 yards while catching 75 passes.
While the Kansas City Chiefs are not anywhere near the level of Pittsburgh offensively, the defense could be the AFC’s most complete unit. Kansas City has Marcus Peters and Eric Berry in the secondary, arguably the best at their respective positions. In the front seven, the Chiefs have a cavalcade of talent with Chris Jones, Dee Ford, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Bennie Logan and Allen Bailey. The other side of the ball is limited, although for the first time in the Andy Reid era, Kansas City has a legitimate offensive line. The duo of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce should create big plays, even with the dink-and-dunk style of Alex Smith.
Beyond Pittsburgh and Kansas City, it’s hard to see another true threat to New England come January. Some will extol the virtues of the Oakland Raiders, but the defense has Khalil Mack and 10 question marks. The offense is stacked with the likes of Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and an elite offensive line, but it would need to score 45 points to outgun Tom Brady and Co.
Finally, keep an eye on the Tennessee Titans. The AFC South favorite isn’t quite ready to compete for a title, but this is a good, ascending team. Marcus Mariota could take a big step forward in his third year while the receiving core is substantially better following the acquisitions of Eric Decker and Corey Davis.
Ultimately, the Patriots are heavy favorites, but they have a couple of worthy adversaries nipping on their heels.
