2012 NFL Season Preview: AFC

The New York Giants seek a repeat Super Bowl
title, something that hasn't been achieved since
New England won two straight in 2003 and 2004.

The NFL season is upon us. Amidst a season of drama and excitement that marred last season, the new season promises to feature more of the same, with even better plays and results on the stat sheet. With new rookies coming to the fold, and with top players switching teams, this season hopes to exceed the hype and excitement that 2011 generated. 

Here are the storylines that will follow all 32 teams throughout the season, to cut the story short. We begin with the American Football Conference.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

2011 record: 13-3, AFC East Champions

Lost Super Bowl XLVI to Giants 21-17

Kept mainly the same roster from last year, but time is running out for Tom Brady. Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski should keep the Patriots firing throughout the season.

2. New York Jets

2011 record: 8-8

Missed playoffs

It's a quarterback dilemma for Rex Ryan. Is Tim Tebow the right man, or is Mark Sanchez the more capable quarterback? So far, a bad preseason for the Jets, who failed to score a touchdown. It's up to Tony Sparano to fix their anemic offense.

3. Miami Dolphins

2011 record: 6-10

Missed playoffs

Sparano left the team in disarray, with three losing seasons after a promising 11-5 record in 2008. Joe Philbin made the Packers contenders, but it's a rebuilding season for Miami, even with quarterback Matt Moore looking to build on a promising 2011 season. 

4. Buffalo Bills

2011 record: 6-10

Missed playoffs

12 years without a playoff berth was something Bills fans couldn't afford. Have the Bills found a hero in Mario Williams? Let's wait and see. Ryan Fitzpatrick, fresh from a new extension, should easily get the nod of starting QB over ex-Seahawk Tarvaris Jackson.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens

2011 record: 12-4, AFC North Champions

Lost AFC Championship to Patriots 23-20

Four straight playoff berths under John Harbaugh should keep Ravens fans hungry for a Super Bowl trip. They kept much of the same team from last year, and if Ray Rice continues his stellar offensive performance, a second Super Bowl title may be in the offing.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 record: 12-4, Wild Card Winner

Lost AFC Wild Card Game to Broncos 29-23

Lost to Tebowmania in the playoffs, the Steelers are back in the drawing board. But with Hines Ward retired, how much will affect the offense? This year's Steelers will be about Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, with a younger and unproven crew brought along for the ride.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner

Lost AFC Wild Card Game to Texans 31-10

Now in his 10th season, coach Marvin Lewis has never won a playoff game, and this latest loss shows why Cincinnati is a Jekyll and Hyde team. Andy Dalton showed promise as a rookie, and the Bengals offense will revolve around him. However, another playoff loss or a late-season collapse may cost Lewis his job.

4. Cleveland Browns

2011 record: 4-12

Missed playoffs

A new owner in Jimmy Haslam III will be the focus for the Browns in a rebuilding year. Nine years without a playoff berth was hard to swallow for Browns fans, and if they want to get back there, their 28-year old rookie QB Brandon Weeden should prove that late-bloomers like him are as good as advertised.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans

2011 record: 10-6, AFC South Champions

Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs to Ravens 20-13

They made their first playoff appearance meaningful. Now what to do for an encore? Even if they lose Mario Williams, the Texans should improve from a basically intact roster, which includes a returning Matt Schaub, and a defense that is one of the best in the league last year.

2. Tennessee Titans

2011 record: 9-7

Missed playoffs

The addition of QB Matt Hasselbeck almost turned the Titans into playoff contenders. Now with Jake Locker ready to take over, all systems go for an improved season. Hasselbeck, however, will continue to play the role of locker room and bench voice in order to motivate the Titans in the long run.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

2011 record: 5-11

Missed playoffs

This is another rebuilding season for the Jaguars. With a new owner in Shahid Khan and a new coach in Mike Mularkey, the Jaguars only hope to build upon a young talent in order to build a contender. But who will lead them on the field, Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert?

4. Indianapolis Colts

2011 record: 2-12

Missed playoffs

Is Lady Luck smiling on Andrew Luck? The Colts hope a dose of 'good Luck' will turn the team around, if not making the playoffs immediately. 

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos

2011 record: 8-8, AFC West Champions

Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs to Patriots 45-10

Tebowmania went to the bright lights of New York, and in came an export from Indiana in Peyton Manning. But did the Broncos made a huge gamble in signing an aging Manning? 

2. San Diego Chargers

2011 record: 8-8

Missed playoffs

So close to making the playoffs, the Chargers' season will again hinge upon Philip Rivers' increasing age and viability. Another lost season and Rivers may move out of San Diego.

3. Oakland Raiders

2011 record: 8-8

Missed playoffs

Carson Palmer had a rebirth in Oakland after starting the season on the Bengals bench. Palmer's arrival almost helped the Raiders reached the playoffs. But with Palmer's mentor Hue Jackson gone and Dennis Allen in charge, will there still be magic in Oakland?

4. Kansas City Chiefs

2011 record: 5-11

Missed playoffs

The Chiefs never recovered from a slow start and missed the playoffs after winning the AFC West two years earlier. All eyes will again be on Matt Cassel, whose injury-riddled 2011 season was costly, and new coach Romeo Crennel hopes the Chiefs will bounce back from a dismal 2011 season.