Andy Capwell’s AFC Predictions

Football season is here! Start chilling the beer, get new batteries for the remote and cheer on the home team!

It's always fun trying to predict who will be going to the playoffs and who will win the big game. Here is my best guess.

AFC EAST:

1. New England Patriots: The defense looks like the strength of the team, especially the secondary. Tom Brady gets Gronk back, his healthy is a key to the offense. Look for a very good season and maybe Tom Brady's last shot at winning the big game.

2. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have good weapons at wide receiver, a solid young quarterback, but they are weak at running back. Miami has a good defense. They should contend for a wild card spot.

3. New York Jets: The defense leads the way for the Jets. Geno Smith showed signs of improvement during the second half of last season and look for the Jets offense to improve this season. I see a .500 season or maybe 9 wins.

4. Buffalo Bills: CJ Spiller is an exciting player, the offense has weapons but they are weak at QB and on the offensive line. The defense is strong up front but are weak in the secondary. They are improving, maybe 6 or 7 wins.

AFC North:

1. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have a strong quarterback with Andy Dalton and one of the league's best receivers with A.J. Green. The defense is solid. It's a tough division, look for 10 or 11 wins.

2. Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore is solid at quarterback with Joe Flacco. They have questions at running back. Baltimore is traditional solid at defense. They should contend for the division or a wild card spot.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: They have a good leader with Big Ben, running back position is a disaster, the offensive line should improve from last year. Pittsburgh problems are on defense. They are an old unit and shouldn't be very good this season. I see a .500 season.

4. Cleveland Browns: Hoyer or Manziel? It doesn't really matter. The Browns will be bad, the receivers that Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manizel have to throw to aren't very good. The strength of the team is the defense, especially their secondary.

AFC South:

1. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have one of the leagues best, young QB's with Andrew Luck. If they could only run the ball! They will win a lot of high scoring games.

2. Houston Texans: Houston had a really bad season last year, but they still have a lot of talent. They are weak on offense, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallett are at QB, Foster is often injured at running back and Andre Johnson is getting old at wide receiver. Defense should be the team's strength with Watt and Clowney on the line. I look for a bounce back season of .500 or maybe up to 10 wins.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville is improving, they still need more weapons on offense and their defense is solid. They have a chance at a .500 season.

4. Tennessee Titans: They are a middle of the road team. Jake Locker could be at the end of getting chances to lead the team. They are alright at defense and are just a bland team. I see 5 or 6 wins.

AFC West:

1. Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning has a bunch of weapons to throw to, even without Wes Welker due to injury and suspension. The defense is decent up front but are weak in the secondary. The West is weak, Denver should win the division easily.

2. San Diego Chargers: Phillip Rivers is a good quarterback, and he has a good core of receivers to throw to. The defense is strong. They should contend for a wild card playoff spot.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: They should slip from last season. Alex Smith is a solid QB, Jamaal Charles is one of the best running backs in the league. The receivers are just average. The defense showed signs of slipping last year. They could still contend for a wild card playoff spot.

4. Oakland Raiders: They could be one of the worst teams in the NFL. There are starting rookie QB Derek Carr, the defense is decent and they have a diamond in the rough with rookie linebacker Khalil Mack. They are pieces that Raiders fans can root for, but this season is looking bleak.

AFC Championship Game:New England and Cincinnati. New England wins and goes to the Super Bowl. Tomorrow my NFC predictions.