All the early Super Bowl chatter has been focused on NFC powerhouses St. Louis, Washington and Tampa Bay. The AFC will surely have something to say about that, though. Who'll be walking the walk from the AFC in January? We asked the experts at Bristol University.
Who will win the AFC?
Mike Golic |
Indianapolis Colts
The Titans look loaded, but I have to go with the Colts. Team president Bill Polian is doing the right thing the way he has built that team. He got the offense in place. And between free agency and the draft, he is getting the defense set. Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the league. He doesn't make a lot of bad throws. Edgerrin James is a Marshall Faulk type of back who proved himself in his rookie season. The Colts don't have many offensive weaknesses. The defense, though, still has to prove itself. They hope rookie linebacker Rob Morris, who hits a ton, can take over the middle this year. | |
Mark Malone |
Tennessee Titans
All things being equal, I think a repeat of last year's Super Bowl is more likely to happen than not. Jacksonville has some significant injuries, Indy is likable but a little weak on defense and could probably use one more big-time offensive weapon to go with Marvin Harrison and Edgerin James. The Titans are the most complete team out there, offensively and defensively. | |
Marty Schottenheimer |
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have a young quarterback who is about to have a
breakthrough season, an explosive running game and a greatly improved
defense. The only real shortcoming on this football team is at cornerback. | |
John Clayton |
Indianapolis Colts
The offense is set with a great quarterback, running back and receiver in Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison. They will only get better and better. Even though they don't have big-name defensive players, besides maybe Chad Bratzke, and can't match up with some teams physically, the Colts have good athletes who are young and raw. The Colts have had two years of good drafting in terms of depth. | |
Andrea Kremer |
Tennessee Titans
Their offense is better. The Titans now have Carl Pickens, who I think will be reborn in Tennessee. I love the addition of Mike Heimerdinger as offensive coordinator. He will be a great asset. He
will be creative with the wide receiver position. Jevon Kearse will be more versatile, which is a scary thought. | |
Sean Salisbury |
Indianapolis Colts
Their offense is a year better, and they have added Rob Morris and depth to their defense. The Colts also have a good kicking game. Peyton Manning will be league MVP this year. I love their big three of Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison. I think their defense will be good enough to get by. It's the Colts' turn. | |
Merril Hoge |
Jacksonville Jaguars
Failure can be great motivation, and the Jaguars have stumbled across a few failures they will learn from. The Jags have the
most explosive offense in the game, with Fred Taylor, who may be the best
back in the league, a solid 1-2 punch at wide receiver in Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell and a top-10 quarterback in Mark Brunell. Even without Carnell Lake, Jacksonville's defense will win a lot of games. | |
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Cannizzaro: AFC still unpredictable
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