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ESPN The Magazine's AFC Breakdown
ESPN The Magazine |
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AFC East
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The Word
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The Deal
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1. Indianapolis Colts
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Indy allowed an AFC-high 62 sacks in 1997. But the Colts have given up just
36 since, and none in 14 of those games.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: A
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B- |
Jim Mora gets his first playoff win, maybe a couple of them
TEAM GRADE: A
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2. Buffalo Bills |
No. 1 in fewest yards allowed, No. 2 in points allowed and offensive
TDs surrendered. Not one D-player went to Hawaii.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B+
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AFC's Team of '90s overhauling to be Team of '00s
TEAM GRADE: B-
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3. New England Patriots
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Drew Bledsoe threw 6 TDs and 17 INTs during 1999's 2-6 finish; he
threw 13 TDs and 4 INTs in a 6-2 start.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B- |
Everybody's excited that Bill's in town. Let's chat in November
TEAM GRADE: B- |
4. New York Jets
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The Jets finished with wins in six of their last nine games in '99.
Seven other teams did, too. Only Jets missed the playoffs.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B-
DEFENSIVE GRADE: C+ |
No Keyshawn, fine. No Tuna, well ...
TEAM GRADE: C+
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5. Miami Dolphins
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Dan Marino rushed for 87 yards in his 17-year career. Together,
Damon Huard and Jay Fiedler had 150 yards in '99.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C+
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B-
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New twist in Miami: No one expects Fish to do anything
TEAM GRADE: C |
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AFC Central
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The Word
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The Deal
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1. Tennessee Titans
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Since 1998 (including playoffs), the Titans are 17-2 vs. the AFC
Central, just 7-10 vs. the rest of the league.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B+
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B |
They're so not going to SB. 'Course, we said that in '99, too
TEAM GRADE: B+
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars
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In first four years, Jags held opponents to no offensive TDs in just
three of 64 games. In '99, they didn't allow one in five games.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B+
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B |
Petitioning to get Titans booted from league. It wouldn't help
TEAM GRADE: B+
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3. Baltimore Ravens
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TEs Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates, each named to the NFL's 1990s
All-Decade Team, have combined for 1,042 receptions and 94 TDs in their
careers.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B-
DEFENSIVE GRADE: A-
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If O doesn't collapse in sorry heap, they could be '00's Titans
TEAM GRADE: B- |
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Steelers are 2-8 in their last 10 home games; they were 163-55 in
their first 218 games at Three Rivers.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B |
Improved just enough to finish behind Jags, Titans and Ravens
TEAM GRADE: C
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5. Cincinnati Bengals
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Since 1991, the Bengals are a ghastly 43-101. Damned slow starts:
Cincy is just 12-60 in the first halves of seasons. That's why their last
playoff game was in 1990.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C+
DEFENSIVE GRADE: C-
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Some talent, too much Coslet
TEAM GRADE: D+ |
6. Cleveland Browns
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Browns used eight different starters on the D-line in 1999. Five of them are no longer with the team, and only DT Stalin Colinet is expected to be a 2000 starter.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C-
DEFENSIVE GRADE: C-
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Improved, but still a year away from catching Cincy
TEAM GRADE: D |
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AFC West
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The Word
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The Deal
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1. Indianapolis Colts
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Thirteen of the Raiders' 16 games were decided by seven points or
less last season. Oakland was just 5-8.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B
DEFENSIVE GRADE: C+ |
Miss the playoffs with this team and feel Al's wrath
TEAM GRADE: B+
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2. Denver Broncos
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The Broncos are 38-4 over the past three seasons when they total
more rushing attempts than their opponent, but just 1-12 when they
don't.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: B+
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B-
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With a healthy Terrell, team will rebound very nicely
TEAM GRADE: B
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3. San Diego Chargers
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Do the bad math: Over the past two seasons Chargers QBs have thrown
just 22 touchdown passes, while totaling 58 interceptions and 32
fumbles.
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B-
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Another improvement story that won't show up in standings
TEAM GRADE: B- |
4. Seattle Seahawks
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Including playoffs, Seattle QB Jon Kitna tossed 16 TDs and 6 INTs in
the first nine games (7-2), but finished with 8 TDs and 12 INTs in the final
seven games (1-6).
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B-
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Good enough for the playoffs again? Uh, probably not
TEAM GRADE: C+
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5. Kansas City Chiefs
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Chiefs' TD differential was best in league in '99 (plus-21) and in
all of the '90s (an amazing plus-128).
OFFENSIVE GRADE: C
DEFENSIVE GRADE: B- |
One giant hole at team's core, lots of small ones everywhere
else
TEAM GRADE: C+
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