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| (13-3) |
Once again, the Patriots are the #1 seed and favorites to make the Super Bowl. In other news, the sky is blue. Before you roll your eyes and continue scrolling, however, don't be too eager to place the Patriots in the AFC column under the Lombardi just yet. They're still one of the best teams in the league, but the Patriots are merely a shadow of the team they were last year. Their defense has folded under pressure on many occasions like their namesake at the Battle of Charleston. Tampa Bay and the Chargers almost beat this team, folks, and the Dolphins actually DID. In fact, I believe the only reason the Patriots won 13 games is because the AFC is trash and the NFL doesn't know what a catch is anymore. On the other hand, 40-year old Tom Brady continues to be the NFL's Blue-Eyes White Dragon with 3000 ATK points and a great set of support cards in the Patriot receiving core and the best running game is the best we've seen under Belichick in a long time. The MVP of this high-voltage offense is Gronk Robkowski, a freak of nature who can't be toppled unless hit with concentrated elephant tranquilizer. Don't be surprised if these Pats win the Super Bowl again or lose in the divisional game...either outcome is likely.
#2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is a Super Bowl Championship team. The most well-rounded team I've seen in a long time, the Steelers should have no problem making a late January push at the very least. Big Ben may be on his last legs, but Father Time has done nothing to stop him from having one of his best career passing seasons to date. A young receiving core has given the man Geico pass insurance, led by rookies Juju Smith-Schuster and tight-end Jesse James, and Le'Veon Bell has run circles around the NFL's best defenders. Even without a veteran presence, the Steelers defense lives up to its name: an iron curtain that can't be penetrated unless your last name is Tom Brady. The only problem with this team is that, sometimes, they don't realize just how good they are, which causes them to play down to their competition (how the HELL do you lose to the BEARS at home?!). On one week, the Steelers can beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead, and the next, they're barely holding off the Packers at Heinz. If the Steelers can get all the pieces together, which we all know Mike Tomlin can do, expect them to take the title. Nothing less.
#3. Jacksonville Jaguars
What did you accomplish in 2017? Get that dream job? Ask that girl out? Lose some weight? Your accomplishments pale in comparison to the Jags, who completely reinvented themselves in the year of the Fire Rooster. Pay attention, Cleveland: this is a team that knows how to use their draft picks. As cringy as the name "Sacksonville" is, this team definitely earned this moniker, making even the most hardened of offensive lines quiver in fear. Even when the o-line holds up, AJ Buoye and the Jaguars secondary finds ways to ground even the best QB's in the league. Leonard Fournette leads Jacksonvilles completely reinvented offense with a running game like no other. The main x-factor with this team is the man behind the center, Blake Bortles, who enjoys playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Pickoff. He's a lot better than he used to be without question, but he's been knocked down a few pegs after his performances in San Francisco and Tennessee. This team has lost a bit of momentum that they need to find, but when/if they do, be prepared for this dark horse to make the Championship game.
#4. Kansas City Chiefs
#2. Pittsburgh Steelers
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| (13-3) |
Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is a Super Bowl Championship team. The most well-rounded team I've seen in a long time, the Steelers should have no problem making a late January push at the very least. Big Ben may be on his last legs, but Father Time has done nothing to stop him from having one of his best career passing seasons to date. A young receiving core has given the man Geico pass insurance, led by rookies Juju Smith-Schuster and tight-end Jesse James, and Le'Veon Bell has run circles around the NFL's best defenders. Even without a veteran presence, the Steelers defense lives up to its name: an iron curtain that can't be penetrated unless your last name is Tom Brady. The only problem with this team is that, sometimes, they don't realize just how good they are, which causes them to play down to their competition (how the HELL do you lose to the BEARS at home?!). On one week, the Steelers can beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead, and the next, they're barely holding off the Packers at Heinz. If the Steelers can get all the pieces together, which we all know Mike Tomlin can do, expect them to take the title. Nothing less.
#3. Jacksonville Jaguars
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| (10-6) |
What did you accomplish in 2017? Get that dream job? Ask that girl out? Lose some weight? Your accomplishments pale in comparison to the Jags, who completely reinvented themselves in the year of the Fire Rooster. Pay attention, Cleveland: this is a team that knows how to use their draft picks. As cringy as the name "Sacksonville" is, this team definitely earned this moniker, making even the most hardened of offensive lines quiver in fear. Even when the o-line holds up, AJ Buoye and the Jaguars secondary finds ways to ground even the best QB's in the league. Leonard Fournette leads Jacksonvilles completely reinvented offense with a running game like no other. The main x-factor with this team is the man behind the center, Blake Bortles, who enjoys playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Pickoff. He's a lot better than he used to be without question, but he's been knocked down a few pegs after his performances in San Francisco and Tennessee. This team has lost a bit of momentum that they need to find, but when/if they do, be prepared for this dark horse to make the Championship game.
#4. Kansas City Chiefs
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| (10-6) |
Meh. I'm indifferent about seeing this team make the playoffs, especially considering their choke job in the middle of the season against the Jets, Bills, and the friggin' Giants. New York State was just not very friendly to these Chiefs this year. The NFL's defenses may have found the codes to Kareem Hunt's nuclear running game, but he's been getting back to his old self in recent weeks. Alex Smith, when he runs the ball at least, is relatively unpredictible (when he doesn't run, he's just a scrub wearing a QB jersey). Andy Reid may have choked early in the season, which means they may have more of a chance this January to actually have some success. The Chiefs are an unusual team, and that may lend itself to their performances against the more predictible schemes of the other teams in the AFC. I won't buy on them quite yet; they have to earn that right. Otherwise, enjoy getting killed by the Steelers again!
#5. Tennessee Titans
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| (9-7) |
The fact that this team made the playoffs speaks for how pathetic the AFC was this year. I'm gonna be frank here: this team is going about as far as a catfish on a hockey rink. Marcus Mariota is average, the running game is anemic, and the defense is only solid at best. This team may have gotten lucky that they're playing the Chiefs first, who have a history of losing easy games in the postseason, but even if they make it past the Chiefs, they're gonna get eaten alive by the Patriots or Steelers. Hell, I'd go so far as to say the Bills can beat this team. Not much to say here, because there's not much to this team.
#6. Buffalo Bills
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| (9-7) |
Congrats Bills, you made the playoffs! Only problem: you made the playoffs. It's all uphill from here; no more easy challenges from teams like the Dolphins, Broncos, and Raiders. Tyrod Taylor will need to remember he's a starting QB if you want to succeed, otherwise, you're gonna have to ride on LeSean McCoy's injured leg. However, you've got a lot of other things going for you. Your secondary is underrated, for one thing, and Micah Hyde can read QB's like picture books. Not to mention, 17 years is a long time, and this team was ECSTATIC just to make it back. Momentum and euphoria is a wild thing, and these Bills may be able to channel that. The Jags are in a bit of a slump after all. Now may be the time to strike...Or get sent home after being thrashed.
AND YOUR AFC CHAMPIONS....
The Steelers
The AFC is a trainwreck this year, but the Steelers and Patriots (and perhaps the Jags) have set themselves apart from the rabble once again. However, I have to give the edge to the Steelers. They're one of the most well-rounded teams of the millenium, who can move the ball just as well as they can stop it. They'll get no challenge from the Titans or Chiefs, and they'll be looking to avenge regular season losses to the Patriots and Jaguars. The Bills? They're just happy to be here. For the Steelers, however, it's Bowl or bust.
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