Who is the Next Great Team to Emerge in AFC? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Who is the Next Great Team to Emerge in AFC?

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The big three of New England, Pittsburgh and Baltimore won't go away easily and those teams figure to be the favorites for the super bowl over the next several years. But other teams are primed to emerge in the AFC as challengers. Cincinnati has been on a playoff roll, but they don't seem to be able to get over the hump.

So who are the "next up" teams. Here are a few that I think could challenge.

Miami
The Dolphins have a lot of talent at the skill positions, a quarterback who probably ranks in "the good enough to win" category and a head coach who is putting a physical stamp on the team. That Adam Gase won last year with a lousy defense speaks volumes.

Tennessee
My bet is that Marcus Mariota emerges as the next elite quarterback in the AFC. That will give the Titans a chance.

Houston
The Texans have a championship caliber defense and if they hit with Deshaun Watson they could be in the thick of it for years to come.

Jacksonville
The Jaguars are building a sick defense and by drafting Leonard Fournette should be able to pound teams in the running game. The question is whether Blake Bortles is the answer at quarterback. If not, they will need to find their guy.

Indianapolis
Andrew Luck gives them a chance.
 
RT is in the better category than good enough to win.

He made great strides last year. He was good enough to win with Joe ****ing Philbin.
 
We still haven't seen what Tannehill can do. Let's not think the go, go-go era helped his development very much. Top half of league in QBs now, will be top quarter in the next couple of years.
 
You forgot to include Oakland/ Las Vegas. They should be good for the next several seasons.
 
HopaLong said:
You forgot to include Oakland/ Las Vegas. They should be good for the next several seasons.
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Yeah, you are right. Just totally forgot about Oakland. That's a team that's primed to win right now, with a good quarterback in Carr and a pretty good defense as well. The move to Las Vegas could help them attract free agents as well with a new stadium etc.
 
Raiders....

No sure how they were not on the list. Those guys have been getting better every year since Al died...
 
Oakland emerged last year to make the playoffs.

Miami and Houston did as well :idk:
 
I like the Titans too. I think Marriota takes them to the next level. They'll keep the Colts in check over the next few years.
 
Houston is going to be a force if they hit on Watson. Their defense is nasty and they have some excellent skill position players on offense. The QB play is what holds them back.

I like all the teams listed except for Jacksonville. I don't care what they do as long as Blake Bortles is the best QB on their roster. They're 4-5 years away. This year is a wash. Next year is a rookie QB. 2-3 years of development after that. Their only hope is hitting the lottery with a Dak Prescott next year.
 
Michael Scott said:
Raiders are up there right now alongside Pittsburgh and after New England.
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Not sure I'd say they are up there right now. Had Carr not gotten hurt they may have won a playoff game, but they just made their first playoff appeance since '02. I put them in the same boat as us. A team on the rise, after an extended period of missing the postseason.
 
I am really impressed with the Titans and their future. Another draft or two adding to that defense and they will be a major factor. I don't expect them to be drafting so high much longer, though.

Rock solid in the backfield and o line. They addressed receiver. How that works out, we will see.
 
fishfanmiami said:
Oakland emerged last year to make the playoffs.

Miami and Houston did as well :idk:
Click to expand...

Oakland did more than "emerge" to make the playoffs...they were favorites to make the Super Bowl if Carr doesn't go down.
 
Michael Scott said:
Houston is going to be a force if they hit on Watson. Their defense is nasty and they have some excellent skill position players on offense. The QB play is what holds them back.

I like all the teams listed except for Jacksonville. I don't care what they do as long as Blake Bortles is the best QB on their roster. They're 4-5 years away. This year is a wash. Next year is a rookie QB. 2-3 years of development after that. Their only hope is hitting the lottery with a Dak Prescott next year.
Click to expand...

That's a good point on Jacksonville. They have to figure out the qb situation, but now Bortles has a power running game to work with. If he doesn't improve this year they will have to move on leaving the draft or a veteran pick-up. That defense will win them some games, though.
 
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