The 2012 NFL season is set to kick off in less than three weeks.
All the offseason hoopla — Peyton Manning to Denver, Tim Tebow to the Jets, Andrew Luck to the Colts — has settled down with training camps coming to a close and the preseason in full swing.
As a preview for the upcoming year we've set out to present the best and worst case scenarios for each NFL team.
First up, the AFC.
Note: These aren't meant as straight up predictions. They are realistic best- and worst-case scenarios for each team. What do we mean by realistic? Yes, the best case scenario for Andrew Luck and the Colts is winning the Super Bowl but that's not realistic. And no, the Patriots aren't missing the playoffs.
New England Patriots
Best case: New England rides its juggernaut passing game to another Super Bowl, this time winning it all.
Worst case: Glaring holes on defense and in the running game catch up to them. The Pats still make the playoffs, but are knocked out in the divisional round.
Buffalo Bills
Best case: Buffalo's strong start to the 2011 season proves to have been a sign of good things to come. The defense rallies around new addition Mario Williams and the offense/Ryan Fitzpatrick continue to get better. Buffalo squeaks in for the AFC's final playoff spot.
Worst case: Fitzpatrick isn't very good. Mario Williams can't stay healthy. Things fall apart early and the Bills get back to being the Bills. No postseason.
New York Jets
Best case: Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow stay healthy and work beautifully in Tony Sporano's run-heavy offense. The defense reverts to its 2009 version and the Jets nab an AFC wild card spot.
Worst case: The QB nontroversy controversy hangs over the team all season long. Tebow's "unique" skills never materialize. Rex Ryan starts freaking out at the media as the team goes deeper and deeper into an abyss. Jets miss the playoffs for a second-straight season.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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