ESPN The Magazine's AFC Breakdown
ESPN The Magazine | |
| AFC East | ||
| The Word | The Deal | |
1. Indianapolis Colts |
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
|
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+
|
AFC's Team of '90s overhauling to be Team of '00s TEAM GRADE: B-
|
3. New England Patriots |
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 |
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+
|
5. Miami Dolphins |
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- |
New twist in Miami: No one expects Fish to do anything TEAM GRADE: C |
| AFC Central | ||
| The Word | The Deal | |
1. Tennessee Titans |
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+
|
2. Jacksonville Jaguars |
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+
|
3. Baltimore Ravens |
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-
|
If O doesn't collapse in sorry heap, they could be '00's Titans TEAM GRADE: B- |
4. Pittsburgh Steelers |
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
|
5. Cincinnati Bengals |
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-
|
Some talent, too much Coslet TEAM GRADE: D+ |
6. Cleveland Browns |
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-
|
Improved, but still a year away from catching Cincy TEAM GRADE: D |
| AFC West | ||
| The Word | The Deal | |
1. Indianapolis Colts |
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+
|
2. Denver Broncos |
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-
|
With a healthy Terrell, team will rebound very nicely TEAM GRADE: B
|
3. San Diego Chargers |
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-
|
Another improvement story that won't show up in standings TEAM GRADE: B- |
4. Seattle Seahawks |
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-
|
Good enough for the playoffs again? Uh, probably not TEAM GRADE: C+
|
5. Kansas City Chiefs |
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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