CAN AFC RIVALS CATCH PATS?
We’re two weeks into free agency, and it’s hard not to once again pencil in the reloaded Patriots as the favorites to win their sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy next season. The defending Super Bowl champions are the presumptive favorites to head to Minneapolis and repeat. It’s the Patriots and then the rest. After Bill Belichick’s splurge into free agency — signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore and trading for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and tight end Dwayne Allen while retaining linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive tackle Alan Branch and safety Duron Harmon — the Patriots are in great shape, no matter what shakes out with restricted free agent Malcolm Butler.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the challengers in the AFC and what they’ve done thus far to try and stay in the race.
Can anyone else make the Pats sweat? Here are the five teams with the best shot.
1. Raiders
2016 RECORD: 12-4 KEY LOSSES: T Menelik Watson, RB Latavius Murray, S Nate Allen NOTABLE ADDITIONS: TE Jared Cook, LB Jelani Jenkins, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, QB EJ Manuel
WILD CARD: Marshawn Lynch. The Raiders will land a running back, whether luring Lynch, an Oakland native, out of retirement or taking one in the draft.
SKINNY: Derek Carr's Week 16 injury (broken fibula) basically eliminated the Raiders last season. They played on but really weren't threats. Carr should be fine, and as long as he's upright, this team should contend given their offensive firepower. Defense, meanwhile, needs work if they expect to compete with Patriots in a head-to-head matchup.
2. Steelers
2016 RECORD: 11-5 KEY LOSSES: LB Lawrence Timmons NOTABLE ADDITIONS: WR Justin Hunter, DE Tyson Alualu, CB Coty Sensabaugh, RB Le'Veon Bell (franchise tag) WILD CARD: Darrelle Revis. The 31-year-old free agent cornerback expressed the desire to play in Pittsburgh. He'll need to show he still can play. And we're not sure if the Steelers want him. Stay tuned. SKINNY: The Steelers didn't do much more than retain some of their own players. They made Antonio Brown happy with a new mega five-year deal and held onto Bell, which should keep them up with the frontrunners. Their defense, with a young secondary last year, should improve with experience, but it is still apt to be picked apart by Tom Brady if the Steelers continue to play zone.
3. Broncos
2016 RECORD: 9-7 KEY LOSSES: DT Sylvester Williams, LB Dekoda Watson NOTABLE ADDITIONS: G Ronald Leary, T Menelik Watson, DT Domata Peko WILD CARD: Tony Romo. The Broncos claim to be just fine with Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch as their quarterbacks. But Romo would be a significant upgrade. If they land him and get the top seed and home-field advantage instead of the Pats, that would change the landscape. SKINNY: The best thing the Broncos have done thus far is improve their offensive line with Leary and Watson. Is that in preparation for securing Romo? Who knows? They're playing a game of chicken with the Cowboys, who aren't releasing Romo just yet and are trying to get something in a trade. But it never hurts to strengthen the front line. That also will help Siemian or Lynch, who both got pummelled when they had to throw the football last season.
4. Texans
2016 RECORD: 9-7 KEY LOSSES: QB Brock Osweiler, DT Vince Wilfork (retirement), CB AJ Bouye
NOTABLE ADDITIONS: Re-signed TE Ryan Griffin, P Shane Lechler, K Nick Novak
WILD CARD: Romo. Having unloaded Osweiler and his contract and rid themselves of that mistake, the Texans are without a legitimate top quarterback. Tom Savage is the guy for now, but Romo would be a perfect fit until they can develop a future quarterback. With their strong defense, he'd instantly upgrade the offense. It seems like a no-brainer. It just hasn't happened yet.
SKINNY: The Texans showed they have a defense that can give the Patriots some problems. They did lose Bouye to divisional rival Jacksonville, but with J.J. Watt returning, they're still going to win their share of games with or without a top quarterback. And they still might get their guy if the Cowboys ever let him go. Or maybe they draft Pat Mahomes of Texas Tech with their first pick at No. 25.
5. Chiefs
2016 RECORD: 12-4 KEY LOSSES: DT Dontari Poe, RB Jamaal Charles NOTABLE ADDITIONS: DT Bennie Logan, RB C.J. Spiller, re-signed S Eric Berry
WILD CARD: Romo. Given the Chiefs defense, he's also been talked about as an option here. Alex Smith is your classic game manager but really hasn't lifted this team to the next level. It's not as obvious as the Broncos and Texans, but it wouldn't be a shocker either.
SKINNY: The Titans, Dolphins and Jaguars all made significant moves in free agency and should improve. The Titans should even make the playoffs this time around, and we considered putting them in this spot, but because of their defense, the Chiefs remain more of a contender and challenger to the Pats, if you can even call it that. They did lose some key people, but they should still be in the mix. Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West held the fort without Charles last year, while Logan is a decent replacement up front for Poe.