AFC PREVIEW

In order of predicted finish

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WEST DIVISION

DENVER BRONCOS

Coach: Mike Shanahan, ninth season.

Last season’s record: 9-7.

Key additions: QB Jake Plummer, DT Daryl Gardener, OT Ed Ellis, SS Nick Ferguson.

Key losses: QB Brian Griese, DT Chester McGlockton, CB Tyrone Poole, RB Olandis Gary, DE Keith Washington, CB Denard Walker.

Outlook: Now that Griese is spending time injured in Miami instead of Denver, the Broncos will have to find someone new to blame if they fail to make the playoffs. Clinton Portis is explosive both running and catching the ball, and Plummer’s big-play ability should fit in well with Shanahan’s offense. The Broncos lost five of their final eight games last season mainly because they couldn’t stop anyone, so they made some changes. Bringing in Gardener should help but the Broncos need him to stay healthy. Denver also needs a big season from end Trevor Pryce.

Bottom line: Larry Coyer replaces Ray Rhodes as defensive coordinator and his aggressive style will help linebackers Al Wilson and John Mobley, two of the best tacklers in the league. But the extra blitzing will put pressure on Denver’s inexperienced secondary and this will be a problem once playoff time rolls around.

Prediction: 10-6.

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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Coach: Dick Vermeil, third season.

Last season’s record: 8-8.

Key additions: P Jason Baker, LB Shawn Barber, DE Vonnie Holliday, CB Dexter McCleon.

Key losses: CB Ray Crockett, DE Duane Clemens, P Dan Stryzinski.

Outlook: After failing to make the playoffs in his first two seasons coaching the Chiefs, Vermeil has his team ready to make some noise. With arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, Kansas City will ride the talents of all-everything back Priest Holmes and quarterback Trent Green. Holmes, who scored 24 touchdowns last season, has not shown any effects from a season-ending hip injury. Green is coming off his best season. Tight end Tony Gonzalez heads the strong receiving corps, which includes Eddie Kennison, Johnnie Morton and Marc Boerigter. The Chiefs still need depth on the defensive line, but they have quality players in Eric Hicks and Holliday.

Bottom line: If the Chiefs can get consistent play from cornerbacks Eric Warfield, William Bartee and McCleon, along with a better pass rush, they should end Vermeil’s playoff drought. With Holmes, the Chiefs have the league’s most versatile offense.

Prediction: 10-6.

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OAKLAND RAIDERS

Coach: Bill Callahan, second season.

Last season’s record: 11-5, lost to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl.

Key additions: DT Dana Stubblefield, CB Anthony Parker, FB Cecil Martin.

Key losses: DT Sam Adams, FB Jon Ritchie, RB Terry Kirby.

Outlook: With their third consecutive AFC West title, the Raiders had a solid season but it ended with a blowout loss to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl. Based on how teams have struggled in the seasons after a Super Bowl loss in recent years, that’s not a good sign for the Raiders. The last losing team to return to the Super Bowl was Buffalo in 1994. On offense, everything revolves around 37-year-old Rich Gannon’s precision passing, which should be helped with the emergence of receiver Jerry Porter. Having a healthy Charles Woodson at cornerback along with second-year cover man Phillip Buchanon, should help the defense.

Bottom line: The key will be the play of young players such as linebacker Eric Barton, tight end Doug Jolley, Porter and even rookie running back Justin Fargas. That may be all the Raiders need to remain the AFC’s most dominant team.

Prediction: 8-8.

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SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Coach: Marty Schottenheimer, second season.

Last season’s record: 8-8.

Key additions: WR David Boston, CB Sammy Davis, CB Drayton Florence, FB Lorenzo Neal, FS Kwamie Lassiter.

Key losses: LB Junior Seau, SS Rodney Harrison, WR Curtis Conway, FB Fred McCrary, CB Alex Molden.

Outlook: Even with Seau and Harrison in the lineup, the Chargers had one of the league’s worst defenses last season. With that said, it’s easy to understand why Schottenheimer is heading into this season with such a young defense, especially in the secondary. Rookie defensive backs Davis, Florence and Terrence Kiel will learn on the job. San Diego is hoping to control games with an offense directed by third-year quarterback Drew Brees. With running back LaDainian Tomlinson being the No. 1 target for defenses to stop, the Chargers are looking for Brees to take advantage with passes to Boston, who had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons with Arizona before signing with San Diego.

Bottom line: The Chargers may surprise some teams if defensive linemen Marcellus Wiley and Raylee Johnson can stay injury-free and the young secondary makes progress.

Prediction: 7-9.

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NORTH DIVISION

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Coach: Bill Cowher, 12th season.

Last season’s record: 10-5-1, lost to Tennessee in divisional playoffs.

Key additions: SS Troy Polamalu, TE Jay Riemersma, OT Todd Fordham, LB Clint Kriewaldt, LB Alonzo Jackson.

Key losses: QB Kordell Stewart, OT Wayne Gandy, SS Lee Flowers.

Outlook: Longtime starting running back Jerome Bettis has been replaced by Amos Zereoue, who’ll provide more speed and quickness to the attack. Quarterback Tommy Maddox will have a strong group of receivers: Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress and Antwaan Randle El each have big-play ability. Last season, the defense was ripped in the playoffs, giving up 67 points in two games. To help shore up the pass defense, Pittsburgh drafted Polamalu, who’ll add speed to the secondary. Pittsburgh has one of the best pass rushes but most of its sacks come from blitzing linebackers. Defensive ends Kimo von Oelhoffen and Aaron Smith are strong against the run.

Bottom line: If Maddox can match his play of last season, the Steelers will field one of the league’s more explosive offenses.

Prediction: 11-5.

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CLEVELAND BROWNS

Coach: Butch Davis, third season.

Last season’s record: 9-7, lost to Pittsburgh in wild-card round.

Key additions: LB Barry Gardner, C Jeff Faine.

Key losses: LB Dwayne Rudd, LB Jamir Miller, LB Earl Holmes, S Chris Atkins, CB Corey Fuller.

Outlook: The Browns will open the season with Kelly Holcomb at quarterback and former No. 1 pick Tim Couch as his backup. With Holcomb, the offense has more big-play potential because he likes to throw more deep passes than Couch. That’s good news for receivers Kevin Johnson, Quincy Morgan and Dennis Northcutt. Running back William Green should benefit from Holcomb’s ability to stretch defenses. The Browns decided to have a complete changeover at linebacker and will start a group of second-year players at the position: Andra Davis in the middle, and Kevin Bentley and Ben Taylor outside. The defensive line will have to improve to help make the transition easier for the young linebackers.

Bottom line: The key will be the play of Holcomb, who will have to live up to the pressures of being a No. 1 quarterback.

Prediction: 10-6.

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BALTIMORE RAVENS

Coach: Brian Billick, fifth season.

Last season’s record: 7-9.

Key additions: CB Corey Fuller, OT Orlando Brown, WR Marcus Robinson, WR Frank Sanders, QB Kyle Boller, DE Terrell Suggs, DE Jarrett Johnson.

Key losses: QB Jeff Blake, CB James Trapp, DE Michael McCrary, WR Brandon Stokley , FB Sam Gash.

Outlook: Billick has quietly put together a solid team that heads into the season with Boller, the strong-armed rookie from California and Newhall Hart High, as the starting quarterback. The Ravens have a lackluster group of wide receivers, but Boller will have a reliable target in tight end Todd Heap. The offensive line does a good job opening holes for running back Jamal Lewis and protecting the passer. Suggs gives the Ravens one more pass rusher, which should help create more turnovers for an opportunistic defense.

Bottom line: The Ravens will go only as far as Boller will take them. If Boller is able to handle this situation well and Billick can get the rest of the Ravens to play at a high level, then Baltimore could contend for the playoffs.

Prediction: 9-7.

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CINCINNATI BENGALS

Coach: Marvin Lewis, first season.

Last season’s record: 2-14.

Key additions: QB Carson Palmer, DE Duane Clemons, CB Tory James, LB Kevin Hardy.

Key losses: FB Lorenzo Neal, OT Richmond Webb, LB Takeo Spikes.

Outlook: The Bengals may not challenge for the Super Bowl but they have a chance to be a decent team. Lewis will open with veteran Jon Kitna at quarterback but Palmer is the player the team will build around. Running back Corey Dillon may not get as many carries as in the past, but he’ll still be the focal point of the offense. Although the Bengals lost Spikes to free agency, their defense may be stronger with the addition of James.

Bottom line: If Lewis can get consistent play from the offensive and defensive lines, Cincinnati will no longer be considered an easy victory for opponents. Willie Anderson and Levi Jones are solid tackles who can run and pass block. Clemons joins a defensive line that had only 24 sacks last season. But Lewis is a defensive specialist, so expect him to get more out of young lineman Justin Smith, who had 6 1/2 sacks last season.

Prediction: 5-11.

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SOUTH DIVISION

TENNESSEE TITANS

Coach: Jeff Fisher, 10th season.

Last season’s record: 11-5, lost to Oakland in AFC championship game.

Key additions: CB Andre Woolfolk, WR Tyrone Calico. DT Rien Long.

Key losses: WR Kevin Dyson, S Rich Coady, LB Randall Godfrey, DT Henry Ford.

Outlook: Steve McNair has emerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous threats with his passing and running. He has a limited group of receivers to work with but passed for 3,387 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Derrick Mason and Frank Wycheck return as McNair’s go-to receivers, but the Titans need Drew Bennett, Justin McCareins and Calico to pick up the slack. A fit Eddie George will be the force behind Tennessee’s running game. Tennessee will again be strong defensively with end Jevon Kearse and cornerback Samari Rolle. Last season, the Titans had 40 sacks.

Bottom line: The Titans would be stronger if they had an additional offensive threat for McNair to use. Tennessee is hoping that Calico, a 6-foot-4 rookie, can fill this void down the line and become a big-play threat. Until then, expect more McNair, George and Wycheck.

Prediction: 10-6.

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Coach: Tony Dungy, second season.

Last season’s record: 10-6, lost to New York Jets in wild-card round.

Key additions: LB Jim Nelson, WR Brandon Stokley, SS Mike Doss.

Key losses: WR Qadry Ismail, DT James Cannida, OL Waverly Jackson, LB Mike Peterson.

Outlook: Peyton Manning’s biggest challenge will be spreading the ball around to players other than receiver Marvin Harrison, who caught 143 passes and scored 11 touchdowns last season, and running back Edgerrin James, who rushed 277 times and caught 61 passes. Wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Troy Walters have to become more reliable, as does tight end Marcus Pollard. A key first-year player is Doss, who adds speed and toughness to an improving defense at safety.

Bottom line: Indianapolis is a good team but the Colts are a player or two away from being considered a Super Bowl threat. If Clark can emerge as a passing option, he’ll present a matchup problem for opponents. Dungy will always have the Colts competing for the playoffs, but because of their lack of overall talent, they still will have to work too hard to win.

Prediction: 10-6.

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Coach: Jack Del Rio, first season.

Last season’s record: 6-10.

Key additions: DE Hugh Douglas, LB Mike Peterson, LB Keith Mitchell, WR JJ Stokes, QB Byron Leftwich.

Key losses: RB Stacey Mack, WR Bobby Shaw, OG Zach Wiegert.

Outlook: For the first time in franchise history, the Jaguars will not be coached by Tom Coughlin, who was fired after eight seasons with Jacksonville. Del Rio, a former USC All-American linebacker, takes over a rebuilding Jaguar team that drafted Leftwich with the seventh overall pick last spring. Veteran Mark Brunell will open the season as starter but don’t be surprise to see David Garrard or Leftwich get playing time early. Jacksonville will not have Pro Bowl receiver Jimmy Smith for the first four games because of suspension, so Stokes starts the season as the No. 1 receiver.

Bottom line: The Jaguars may take their lumps this season but Del Rio’s team started building by drafting Leftwich, safety Rashean Mathis and guard Vincent Manuwai in the first three rounds. Jacksonville will be hard pressed to finish ahead of Houston, a second-year franchise.

Prediction: 4-12.

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HOUSTON TEXANS

Coach: Dom Capers, second season.

Last season’s record: 4-12.

Key additions: RB Stacey Mack, WR Andre Johnson, OT Zach Wiegert, LB Charlie Clemons.

Key losses: OT Tony Boselli, WR Jermaine Lewis, LB Keith Mitchell, OL Cameron Spikes, LB Jeff Posey.

Outlook: Quarterback David Carr threw 15 interceptions and only nine touchdown passes last season as a rookie but he didn’t get much protection. He was sacked a whopping 72 times. If Carr can get more time, the Texans may have a stronger passing game, what with wideouts Corey Bradford and Johnson along with versatile tight end Billy Miller. Mack should help the running game for Houston’s offense, which was the worst in the NFL last season. Tackle Gary Walker is the key player for Capers’ defense.

Bottom line: The Texans will have one of the NFL’s stronger defenses, but they will also be offensively challenged because of a suspect line. In Carr, Houston has one of the top young quarterbacks in the league but Houston needs to develop a better ground attack to help his development.

Prediction: 4-12.

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EAST DIVISION

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Coach: Dave Wannstedt, fourth season.

Last season’s record: 9-7.

Key additions: LB Junior Seau, SS Sammy Knight, QB Brian Griese, CB Terrell Buckley, TE Marco Battaglia, DT Jeff Zgonina.

Key losses: TE Desmond Clark, QB Ray Lucas.

Outlook: With the addition of Seau and Knight, the Dolphins will arguably have the NFL’s most fearsome defense. But Miami’s problems have never really been on that side of the ball. Quarterback Jay Fiedler will once again try to prove that he can lead the Dolphins, not only into the playoffs but to the Super Bowl. If Fiedler struggles, don’t expect Wannstedt to hesitate in turning to Griese, once the former Bronco returns from a toe injury. Ricky Williams proved last season that he’s a dominant running back and he may be more of a force this season.

Bottom line: The Dolphins have the potential to be the NFL’s next defense-dominated championship team. Tampa Bay did it last season and Baltimore pulled it off in 2001. The key will be the offense, which remains a question mark. But Williams may be enough to make the Dolphins AFC champions.

Prediction: 12-4.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Coach: Bill Belichick, fourth season.

Last season’s record: 9-7.

Key additions: LB Rosevelt Colvin, DT Ted Washington, CB Tyrone Poole, SS Rodney Harrison, FB Fred McCrary, FB Larry Centers.

Key losses: CB Terrell Buckley, CB Otis Smith, RB J.R. Redmond, TE Cam Cleeland.

Outlook: Thanks to strong off-season shopping, the Patriots have improved enough to return to the elite level. Quarterback Tom Brady is the real deal and Troy Brown, David Patten and Christian Fauria work well together as receivers. However, the Patriots’ running game is suspect with backs Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith. On defense, New England may not be as good as Miami but the Patriots will be close. Colvin, Washington, Poole and Harrison will add veteran leadership to a defense that gave up 17 or more points in 12 of 16 games last season.

Bottom line: With Washington clogging up the middle, the Patriots will have a dominant run defense. If New England’s defense can take over games and help the Patriots win field-position wars, Brady should provide enough offense to get New England back into the playoffs.

Prediction: 10-6.

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BUFFALO BILLS

Coach: Gregg Williams, third season.

Last season’s record: 8-8.

Key additions: LB Jeff Posey, LB Takeo Spikes, WR Bobby Shaw, DT Sam Adams, K Rian Lindell, FB Sam Gash, FS Izell Reese.

Key losses: RB Shawn Bryson, FB Larry Centers, K Mike Hollis, WR Peerless Price, TE Jay Riemersma.

Outlook: Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, wide receiver Eric Moulds and running back Travis Henry are the Bills’ big three and Buffalo is hoping they can lead the team into the playoffs, as Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith used to for Dallas. The difference is that the Bills’ offensive line isn’t that great yet. Buffalo should win more than its share of games this season because of their big three, then may win a few more with their defense. With end Aaron Schobel, cornerback Nate Clements and Spikes leading the way, the Bills have one of the most improved defenses in the NFL.

Bottom line: If Henry can have another productive season rushing, the Bills have a great chance of reaching the playoffs. Williams has put together a balanced team built around Bledsoe.

Prediction: 9-7.

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NEW YORK JETS

Coach: Herman Edwards, third season.

Last season’s record: 9-7, lost to Oakland in division playoffs.

Key additions: K Doug Brien, WR Curtis Conway, CB Tyrone Carter, P Dan Stryzinski, DT Chester McGlockton.

Key losses: WR Laveranues Coles, FB Richie Anderson, K John Hall, KR Chad Morton, FS Damien Robinson, P Matt Turk, OG Randy Thomas.

Outlook: Losing quarterback Chad Pennington to a wrist injury was a tough blow for the Jets. New York will need a dominant season from running backs Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan to make things easier for veteran Vinny Testaverde, who’ll replace Pennington. Conway should be able to fill the void left by Coles, but the Jets will need a breakout season from Santana Moss. Led by linemen John Abraham and Josh Evans, New York will have a solid defense again, but Edwards wants his team to create more turnovers.

Bottom line: Edwards will be hard pressed to get the Jets into the playoffs for the second consecutive season because of Pennington’s injury.

Prediction: 5-11.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Final 2002 Standings

*--* West W L T Pct PF PA AFC NFC Div Oakland* 11 5 0 688 450 304 9-3-0 2-2-0 4-2-0 Denver 9 7 0 563 392 344 5-7-0 4-0-0 3-3-0 San Diego 8 8 0 500 333 367 6-6-0 2-2-0 3-3-0 Kansas City 8 8 0 500 467 399 6-6-0 2-2-0 2-4-0 North W L T Pct PF PA AFC NFC Div Pittsburgh* 10 5 1 656 390 345 8-4-0 2-1-1 6-0-0 Cleveland* 9 7 0 563 344 320 7-5-0 2-2-0 3-3-0 Baltimore 7 9 0 438 316 354 7-5-0 0-4-0 3-3-0 Cincinnati 2 14 0 125 279 456 1-11-0 1-3-0 0-6-0 South W L T Pct PF PA AFC NFC Div Tennessee* 11 5 0 688 367 324 9-3-0 2-2-0 6-0-0 Indianapolis* 10 6 0 625 349 313 8-4-0 2-2-0 4-2-0 Jacksonville 6 10 0 375 328 315 4-8-0 2-2-0 1-5-0 Houston 4 12 0 250 213 356 2-10-0 2-2-0 1-5-0 East W L T Pct PF PA AFC NFC Div N.Y. Jets* 9 7 0 563 359 336 6-6-0 3-1-0 4-2-0 New England 9 7 0 563 381 346 6-6-0 3-1-0 4-2-0 Miami 9 7 0 563 378 301 7-5-0 2-2-0 2-4-0 Buffalo 8 8 0 500 379 397 5-7-0 3-1-0 2-4-0

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*Qualified for playoffs