AFC questions for 2009

We know fall is officially here. It's official because tomorrow evening the NFL season starts. The Steelers and Titans will revive their rivalry going back not only to last years' game, but to the old divisional format when it was Steelers-Oilers.

Each new season brings many questions about your favroite team. I have at least one question about every team. The answers to these question may ot maynot already be known, but the answer will prove to be important to that team's success. Today, I'm covering the AFC.

AFC East
Miami Dolphins: Are these guys legit or was last year a fluke? We'll find out right away as their first three games are against teams that made the playoffs last year (at Atlanta, Indianapolis, at San Diego).
New England Patriots: We know the offense will be better with Brady back, but what about the defense? Gone are Tedy Bruschi (retired), Mike Vrabel (trade), Richard Seymour (trade, we think), Ellis Hobbs (trade), Rodney Harrison (retired). That's alot of experience to replace.
New York Jets: Can rookie QB Mark Sanchez handle the pressure of playing in New York...and "replacing" Brett Favre? Okay, the second part of the question isn't legit because we all saw what Favre did down the stretch last year. Sanchez has youth on his side so he should be fine there. But the bright lights of NYC could prove a little nerve racking.
Buffalo Bills: How long before head coach Dick Jauron is escorted out of town? My question doesn't pertain to T.O.! Of the Bills first 8 games, only 3 made the playoffs last year. The Bills started out good last year and faded. They better start good again and not fade.

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: Can the Steelers revive a running game? Hard to believe that Pittsburgh was 23rd last year in that stat.
Baltimore Ravens: How much of an impact will Rex Ryan's departure have on the defense? No one player ever affected a unit, but the coach can.
Cincinnati Bengals: Is Carson Palmer 100%? He must be for the Bengals to avoid another sub-.500 season.
Cleveland Browns: Can anyone on the roster fill the void with Kellen Winslow's departure? We all know who's the QB...even though we haven't heard it. Winslow did miss 6 games last year, but his presence on the field demands attention.

AFC South
Tennessee Titans: Can Kerry Collins get the Titans back to being division champs again in '09? Jeff Fischer did bring him back for a reason.
Indianapolis Colts: How much will they miss Tony Dungy? I didn't ask if they would (we all will), I asked how much.
Houston Texans: Can Matt Schaub stay healty? See the Cincinnati Bengals, take out Carson Palmer and insert Matt Schaub. It applies here, too.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Is Maurice Jones-Drew ready for the full workload? He's the guy with Fred Taylor in New England.

AFC West
San Diego Chargers: Will anything short of a Super Bowl appearance cost Norv Turner his job? All that talent and nothing to show for it. It must be disheartening for Chargers fans.
Denver Broncos: How bad will the growing pains be? The roster has been purged and a new coach takes over a proud franchise.
Oakland Raiders: Can JaMarcus Russell lead the offense? He's was selected 1st overall for a reason, but he hasn't shown it.
Kansas City Chiefs: Will Matt Cassell be worth the bucks? The hopes of the offense will hinge on his performance.

Predictions:
Division winners:
East: New England Patriots
North: Pittsburgh Steelers
South: Tennessee Titans
West: San Diego Chargers
Wild Cards: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts

AFC Champs: San Diego Chargers...gotcha! And I stand by the Bolts. Everyone's picking the Steelers to repeat so I'm going off the board.

In a little more than 24 hours, it all begins for 2009.

Tomorrow, I'll look at the NFC.