GOOD BUT NOT GREAT
5.BALTIMORE RAVENS
Key additions: QB Matt Schaub,WR Breshad Perriman (rookie), TE Maxx Williams (rookie).
Key losses: WR Jacoby Jones, WR Torrey Smith, RB Bernard Pierce.
Analysis: The Ravens were good on both sides of the ball last year, elite on neither. QB Joe Flacco is coming off arguably the best season of his career and RB Justin Forsett was an excellent replacement for Ray Rice. The defense remains above average, but the Ravens were one of the worst AFC teams against the pass. This was supposed to be a crucial season for Matt Elam, who was trying to win back his starting safety spot, but he tore his biceps and is out for the year.
6.BUFFALO BILLS
Key additions: RB LeSean McCoy,WR Percy Harvin, G Richie Incognito, QB Matt Cassel, TE Charles Clay, CB Ronald Darby (rookie).
Key losses: RB C.J. Spiller, TE Scott Chandler. Analysis: The Bills’defense was absolutely championship-caliber last season and they have some weapons on offense, but have yet to settle on a quality quarterback. Kyle Orton’s 87.8 passer rating last year was the best Buffalo has had since 1991 when Jim Kelly was the QB. New coach Rex Ryan has loaded up at every possible position, hoping to hide the sobering fact that his QB choices are EJ Manuel and Cassel. Nonetheless, the Bills have a shot to reach the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
7.MIAMI DOLPHINS
Key additions: DT Ndamukong Suh,TE Jordan Cameron, WR Kenny Stills, WR Greg Jennings, WR DeVante Parker (rookie), DT Jordan Phillips (rookie).
Key losses: WR Mike Wallace, WR Brian Hartline, TE Charles Clay.
Analysis: Last season was Miami’s 14th in a row without winning a playoff game, and going 8-8 the past two years was good enough to count as progress. The Dolphins are a trendy playoff pick this season, but there are so many variables. They basically swapped out their entire underachieving wide receiver corps for one that might not be any better, and they spent huge money on the temperamental Suh and signed unproven QB Ryan Tannehill to a massive extension. Those moves could be the reason for their success —or their demise.
8.CINCINNATI BENGALS
Key additions: LB A.J. Hawk, OT Cedric Ogbuehi (rookie), OT Jake Fisher (rookie).
Key losses: TE Jermaine Gresham,WR Greg
Little.
Analysis: The Bengals snuck into the playoffs last year at 10-5-1, a misleading record. In four games against the Patriots, Colts and Steelers, they lost by a total of 84 points. QB Andy Dalton scored a 53.9 in ESPN’s Total QBR, placing him in the bottom third of the league with guys like Matt Stafford and Jay Cutler. Cincinnati’s offense is mediocre and its defense is below average — hardly the description of a legitimate playoff team.
9.SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Key additions: WR Jacoby Jones, WR Stevie Johnson, RB Melvin Gordon (rookie), LB Denzel Perryman (rookie).
Key losses: RB Ryan Mathews, WR Eddie Royal, C Nick Hardwick (retired).
Analysis: This team always seems like it should be better. QB Philip Rivers leads a talented offense, though San Diego will miss TE Antonio Gates while he’s serving a four-game suspension, and the defense has plenty of good players. However, the Chargers are 42-38 the last five years. They are decent and dangerous enough to upset some of the top teams, but, overall, nowhere near the level of division-leading Denver.
10.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS