A preview of the 2013-14 NFL season

by John Atchison

Created on: August 06, 2013

National Football League fans got a fabulous ending to the 2012 football season. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers put on a spectacular show. It was a spectacle that one hopes for from an event like the Super Bowl. That season is in the rear view mirror now, with the 2013-2014 season quickly approaching. What can fans expect to see?

For one, a new champion will probably be in the offing. The Baltimore Ravens won the prize, and then set out on a path of rebuilding. General Manager Ozzie Newsome will not call it that, but the team was gutted. Names like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Anquan Boldin are gone from the roster. Most of the secondary has changed; along with pass rush special Paul Kruger leaving. This preseason has seen starting tight end Dennis Pitta go out injured for the year. The team still has some weapons, but not enough for a repeat.

So where does that leave the AFC? Well, there is no reason to think the Patriots will be challenged for the AFC East crown. The New York Jets are a mess. The Miami Dolphins are making strides, but not enough to overtake New England. The Buffalo Bills are improving, but again, cannot settle on a starting quarterback. Look for the Pats to win that division.

The AFC West looks much the same. Denver dominated last year, and one can expect that again. Peyton Manning?s receiving corp is improved, and they should rebound from a heartbreaking loss to Baltimore in the playoffs. Kansas City brought in Andy Reid and some other pieces, but they are at least a year or two away. San Diego and Oakland are getting better, but they will be fighting it out for second place.

The AFC North will be competitive as three teams will beat up on one another. Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals will slug it out for first place. The Ravens could easily miss the playoff this season, with either of the other two finishing on top. Cincinnati has another year under their belt of success, and the defense is much improved. They need to get over the playoff hump though, and win a game. Two teams could come out of here to make the playoffs.

The AFC South will battle that extra AFC North team for the last Wild Card slot. The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts are easily the cream of this crop. Tennessee is getting better but not yet quite there. Jacksonville is at least three years and a quarterback from contending. The Playoffs should set up with the Patriots, Denver, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati winning the divisions.

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A preview of the 2013-14 NFL season

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