AFC power rankings
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Last season’s record:
14-2
Added another title even with Tom Brady suspended for four games and Rob Gronkowski out for most of the season. Return 18 of 22 starters and wide receiver Brandin Cooks and running back Mike Gillislee are quality additions. Defense added end Kony Ealy in a contract year and free agent corner Stephon Gilmore.
2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS Last season’s record:
11-5
As long as the Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, they'll be in the playoffs. At age 35, Roethlisberger isn't getting sacked as much as he used to — only 17 times last season. Strong linebacking crew with Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, ageless James Harrison and rookie T.J. Watt.
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Last season’s record:
12-4
As a regular-season coach, Andy Reid is up there with Bill Belichick, consistently producing a team better than the sum of its parts. That's how the Chiefs can win the AFC West with average numbers on offense and defense, but with a turnover differential of plus-16. Get the divisional edge because of head-to-head dominance against the Raiders.
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS Last season’s record:
12-4
The Raiders are coming off a remarkable season considering their offense sputtered for stretches and their defense continually gave up big plays. The schedule is even tougher this season, but having foundational players such as Derek Carr and Khalil Mack should mean they'll contend for the playoffs again with the hope of getting a win or two.
5. TENNESSEE TITANS Last season’s record:
9-7
This year's trendy pick as a breakthrough team, the Titans have a solid offense with a stout running game and an emerging quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Tennessee is hard-nosed defensively but gives up way too much in the passing game, hence the additions of corners Adoree' Jackson and Logan Ryan and safety Johnathan Cyprien.
6. DENVER BRONCOS Last season’s record:
9-7
New coach Vance Joseph has to pick a quarterback between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, but returns a defense that is the NFL's best against the pass. Von Miller and Shane Ray pressure quarterbacks with an outside rush, forcing throws into the NFL's best secondary. The only loss on defense was outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
7. HOUSTON TEXANS Last season’s record:
9-7
Will it be Tom Savage or rookie DeShaun Watson at quarterback? Doesn't matter as long as it's not Brock Osweiler. One of the NFL's top defenses figures to be even better this year since end Jadeveon Clowney became impossible to block in Year 3, with J.J. Watt set to return after last season's back issues.
8. BALTIMORE RAVENS Last season’s record:
8-8
The Ravens have been to the playoffs just once in the four seasons since their championship following the 2012 season. Joe Flacco could use some help in the running game, but Baltimore lost tackle Ricky Wagner in free agency and the closest thing to a bell cow back is Terrance West.
9. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Last season’s record:
8-8
Andrew Luck will keep the Colts in the mix most weeks and is coming off a 4,240-yard season with 31 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. If Luck is ready to go Week 1 or 2, the Colts are in the mix for a playoff berth. If he isn't recovered from shoulder surgery, it will be difficult for the 30th-ranked defense to keep Indianapolis in the race.
10. MIAMI DOLPHINS Last season’s record:
10-6 Optimism abounds after the first playoff season for the franchise since 2008 under coach Adam Gase. But unless camp signee Jay Cutler can work miracles filling in for the injured Ryan Tannehill and the 29th-ranked defense gets much better, the Dolphins look primed for a regression to .500 territory.
11. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Last season’s record:
5-11
The Chargers move north to the boutiquesized StubHub Center until their new shared stadium is built, hopefully having shed their maddening propensity to come up short in close games that ruined 2016. Philip Rivers can still fling it all over the yard — sometimes to the opposition. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram give the Chargers an outside rush.
12. CINCINNATI BENGALS Last season’s record:
6-9-1
Coach Marvin Lewis was put on notice when he didn't receive a contract extension following the first nonplayoff season in four years. Two of the Bengals' top linemen, Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler, left in free agency, which means Andy Dalton may get sacked even more than 41 times and the running game will struggle.
13. BUFFALO BILLS Last season’s record:
7-9
Rex Ryan provided more entertainment than quality football and is gone after two seasons, with Sean McDermott arriving to provide an attitude adjustment. If anything happens to running back LeSean McCoy, the Bills have few options in moving the ball. The defensive scheme will be simplified and in theory will be less confused. 14. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Last season’s record:
3-13
The Jaguars continue to add players in free agency — cornerback A.J. Bouye, defensive tackle Calais Campbell were this year's bigticket items. Running back Leonard Fournette arrived in the draft to hopefully stabilize erratic quarterback Blake Bortles. Unless Jacksonville can turn around a minus-16 turnover margin, the losses will continue.
15. CLEVELAND BROWNS Last season’s record:
1-15
Added a potential difference-maker in defensive end Myles Garrett with the first pick in the draft and beefed up the offensive line with guard Kevin Zeitler and center JC Tretter to go along with premier left tackle Joe Thomas. The sooner Hue Jackson can turn the offense over to rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, the better.
16. NEW YORK JETS Last season’s record:
5-11
At football's most important position, the Jets will trot out Josh McCown, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. That alone should cause concern for general manager Mike Maccagnan's job security. Hard to believe this was a 10-win team as recently as 2015. If the Jets get to six wins, it will be a miracle.