http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...fseason-overhaul-current-conference-hierarchy
After a week of evaluating Offseason Overhauls across the AFC, here's how the conference shapes up as a whole, based on roster strength:
[h=3]Come and get them[/h] New England Patriots.
Tom Brady's supporting cast, not his workout routine, could be the key to keeping him young. Brady has never had a group of receivers this deep. Bill Belichick will be the first to point out that many pitfalls stand between the Patriots and home playoff games, but this is an organization that has earned a bye in seven straight seasons. There are questions in the defensive front seven, but the pickup of cornerback Stephon Gilmore gives the team one of the league's better secondaries (if they do indeed keep Malcolm Butler). Anything short of a bye would be a disappointment. That's the bar Belichick has set.
[h=3]Playoffs or bust[/h] Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Steelers might wind up with the best "offseason addition" if/when Martavis Bryant comes off suspension. Marshawn Lynch (almost certainly) and Jared Cook will add even more juice to a Raiders offense that was already difficult to stop. The Chiefs have consistently been better than the sum of their parts under Andy Reid, and the parts surrounding Alex Smith have only been getting better. The Broncos have the most questions in this tier because of their new coaching staff and the quarterback situation, but this is an organization that won at least 12 games four straight seasons before 2016. This can still be a championship defense.
It's unlikely that every team in this tier will make the playoffs. But they all have championship aspirations and the pedigree to believe they should be playing in January. Any one of them could take out the Patriots if things break right.
[h=3]The contenders[/h]Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals.
Get ready for Chargers hype. The offseason was quiet, but the roster has difference makers throughout -- and a quarterback ready to make the sentimental run that Tony Romo never could. Baltimore wasn't that far away from the playoffs last year, although general manager Ozzie Newsome knows his defense is far away from its heyday. The Ravens need instant impact from this draft, just like the Bengals. Both teams aren't used to having so many depth-chart holes. Miami has a real chance to grow its young offense together alongside second-year coach Adam Gase. The Dolphins haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since Jay Fiedler was at quarterback a decade-and-a-half ago.
There isn't much separating this group from the tier above. They all enter the season with realistic playoff hopes.
After a week of evaluating Offseason Overhauls across the AFC, here's how the conference shapes up as a whole, based on roster strength:
[h=3]Come and get them[/h] New England Patriots.
Tom Brady's supporting cast, not his workout routine, could be the key to keeping him young. Brady has never had a group of receivers this deep. Bill Belichick will be the first to point out that many pitfalls stand between the Patriots and home playoff games, but this is an organization that has earned a bye in seven straight seasons. There are questions in the defensive front seven, but the pickup of cornerback Stephon Gilmore gives the team one of the league's better secondaries (if they do indeed keep Malcolm Butler). Anything short of a bye would be a disappointment. That's the bar Belichick has set.
[h=3]Playoffs or bust[/h] Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Steelers might wind up with the best "offseason addition" if/when Martavis Bryant comes off suspension. Marshawn Lynch (almost certainly) and Jared Cook will add even more juice to a Raiders offense that was already difficult to stop. The Chiefs have consistently been better than the sum of their parts under Andy Reid, and the parts surrounding Alex Smith have only been getting better. The Broncos have the most questions in this tier because of their new coaching staff and the quarterback situation, but this is an organization that won at least 12 games four straight seasons before 2016. This can still be a championship defense.
It's unlikely that every team in this tier will make the playoffs. But they all have championship aspirations and the pedigree to believe they should be playing in January. Any one of them could take out the Patriots if things break right.
[h=3]The contenders[/h]Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals.
Get ready for Chargers hype. The offseason was quiet, but the roster has difference makers throughout -- and a quarterback ready to make the sentimental run that Tony Romo never could. Baltimore wasn't that far away from the playoffs last year, although general manager Ozzie Newsome knows his defense is far away from its heyday. The Ravens need instant impact from this draft, just like the Bengals. Both teams aren't used to having so many depth-chart holes. Miami has a real chance to grow its young offense together alongside second-year coach Adam Gase. The Dolphins haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since Jay Fiedler was at quarterback a decade-and-a-half ago.
There isn't much separating this group from the tier above. They all enter the season with realistic playoff hopes.
