Sleeper: Jacksonville Jaguars

You pick the Pats to win 12 - 13 games, so the Chargers will win more? The real problem with the Chargers in the playoffs is that they are a mentally weak team. Famously, they had the Pats stopped with an interception n the divisional playoff game and the db or lb was stripped during the return. The next week, v the Colts, Brady was picked again and the interceptor did the right thing and went down with the ball. They are capable of a big game against another contender, but the 2 - 3 without a mental breakdown it takes to win a conference title? Show me.

Norv Turner begs to differ with you Mark.

the n.e. cheaters are still the class of the afc. followed by SD and Indy.

I agree with fball fan Jax is the sleeper of the AFC.

Will anyone agree with me that the Patriots have underachieved the past 2 years? Last year they clearly had the best team yet were runner-up. In 2006 they had a big 2d half lead in the AFC championship game but lost. The window is closing. When historians look back on Brady's Pats they'll say they should've done more.

Mart -- As a Pats fan I agree with you in part. They couldn't close the deal either of the last two years, and that's disappointing. But 2 years ago they had zero #1 receivers--it was a patchwork of #2 and #3 guys, which is why they reloaded last year--yet still were within a couple of minutes of going to the super bowl (where they, like the colts, probably would have overwhelmed the bears).

What more can be said about this past year. They peaked too early, played their worst game in the SB, the Giants peaked at the right time and got a couple of breaks (catch/missed INT) that allowed them to snatch a close game. Not that the giants didn't deserve to win, but the Pats could have escaped with a W and no one would be having this converstation (and don shula, mercury morris, et al. would be getting no more interviews).

From a Miami Dolphin fan...I agree with Mark Maske. The Chargers are going to be the best team in the AFC for the 2008-2009 season. The Pats and the Colts are still top tier teams, but this year belongs to the Chargers. With the addition of Chris Chambers, Rivers finally has a big target on the outside (which the team has lacked since Tony Martin). As long as this team stays healthy they'll be a true contender.
Super Bowl Preview...
San Diego (31) vs. New Orleans (27)
New England will fall and Dallas (I mean Romo) always folds, so I'm going with 2 up and coming teams. It's time for a change and it'll be this year.

Pat's Fans: You always fail to acknowledge the fact that our two best offensive players were on the sidelines in the AFC championship. How many times did we settle for a FG in the Red Zone? What was the difference at the end of the game? Yeah, two years ago can be attributed to a lack of playoff experience, or mental toughness, but the chargers proved their past that when they beat Indy, in Indy, with the 4th quarter with VOLEK at QB. At least give a little credit, where credit it due, and acknowledge the fact that the chargers nearly beat the undefeated patriots, in new england, with their best two offensive players on the bench an a QB playing one week after knee surgery. Is that how you wanted to win? Really?

I'm an NFC East guy, but anybody who thinks the Pats underachieved are nuts! Remember it is 1 and done. Anything can happen in 1 game. They did peak a little early which really hurt them. The Giants played good enough to win, but are getting way too much credit. They were very lucky down the strecth with the dropped int (read horrible pass from manning) and the great catch (read lucky throw by Manning). The Pats are a remarkable team in this day and age, they just haven't closed as much as they could have. Still a remarkable run and probably not over.

It's going to be the Colts and Pats and I agree with the fans above - the real team to watch is the Jax Jags.

Norv's Bolts will falter. Also, I seem to remember they have a killer travel schedule with many trips to the east coast and a trip to London in mid-season. Not that the opponents are that tough, but the travel and disruptions will be.

Those boneheads that melted down in the playoff two years ago are no longer with the Chargers, AND ONE OF THEM IS NOW DEAD. They proved their mental toughness last year when Phillip and co kept the pats within a touch, with only one leg, and the best RB in the league not on the field. Hey jon, who's your team, how far did they go, hoser.

The Patriots play some good football, I'm not doubting that. But is no one going to acknowledge the fact that they had a pretty easy schedule last season? Their whole division is a joke, so that's 6 guaranteed victories right there!

I agree. The pats had a very easy schdule. They have done little to address their D.

1. Bolts
2. Colts
3. Jags
4. Pats
5. Steelers

I think the Colts would have destroyed everyone last year (which they almost did), except for the fact that they had an abnormal amount of injuries. If they stay a little more healthy this year, they will win it all with ease.