A surprise team that could be one of our biggest threats in the AFC in a couple years:

[Joey007]

Interesting observation

"They'll have to deal with offensive linemen Byron Bell and Chance Warmack. Both started in 2015 and were hurt in 2016, but neither are in demand after watching their replacements—Conklin and Josh Kline—perform well throughout the year. "

Apparently Warmack hasn't worked out for them like they'd hoped. I'm not completely surprised that Josh Kline is working out for them. He always showed flashes at times here.

 

[jah]

Interesting observation

"They'll have to deal with offensive linemen Byron Bell and Chance Warmack. Both started in 2015 and were hurt in 2016, but neither are in demand after watching their replacements—Conklin and Josh Kline—perform well throughout the year. "

Kline always got way too much unwarranted hate here. I will admit that he seemed to be regressing when he left NE.

 

[BobDigital]

Titans need a few things. One is more receiving weapons. The other is probably 1-2 more defensive play makers.

 

[BKapatsfan]

Not sure why so many are sleeping on the raiders

 

[Froob]

I'll believe it when I see it, but halfway decent team. Murray low key was an MVP candidate.

 

[luuked]

Teams I would worry about from most to least next year:

1. Texans (if they pick up a QB)
2. Miami (I think they are headed in the right direction)
3. Raiders
4. Titans
5. Broncos (if they get a QB)

My novice opinion.

lol... can't remember a single impressive game of Miami in 2016.

They were a 8-8ish team that overachieved in terms of 50:50 games.. doubt strongly they can keep beating statistical odds again like that...

But I am sure in 3 weeks after the first wave of FA dies down we will hear all about how they are the team to beat in the AFCE..

 

[luuked]

With a Smart Offseason, Tennessee Titans Can Become a Super Bowl Contender

They're an interesting team to watch. A lot of talent on the team already, a ton of cap room, and two 1st rounders this year doesn't hurt. It's needless to say that Robinson has done a great job out there so far.

They do have hurdles yet, as they need to spend the money wisely, they have to hope Mariota can keep healthy, and they're stuck with a rather mediocre coach in Mularkey.

But all in all, I wouldn't be shocked if we see face off with them in a January game in the next year or two. (Of course them being able to beat us would be a different story. I still kinda like TB12 against anyone until I see otherwise. )

Denver and Houston can't find a QB, the Steelers peaked last year and will go downhill with Big Ben's declining play, and Flacco is still holding the Ravens roster hostage. Them along with Oakland could be the teams that we begin to face regularly in the playoffs for the rest of Brady's career.

It'll be interesting to watch, at least for me anyways. I'm always interested in watching teams rebuild themselves into becoming successful. Reminds me of watching the Patriots rebuild back in the mid 90's.

Not sure why anyone would call the Titans a surprise team after last season, especially given the draft assets and cap space they have. Yes, they still ahve to put it all together but they are on a more solid foundation than the Raiders or Texans.

 

[Joey007]

Not sure why anyone would call the Titans a surprise team after last season, especially given the draft assets and cap space they have. Yes, they still ahve to put it all together but they are on a more solid foundation than the Raiders or Texans.

It's not really a surprise to me, I'd just figure that it'd be surprising to some, considering how the Titans get little pub.

They did have that blowout against Green Bay, but the win they had over the Chiefs last year convinced me that they could be special.

Absolutely freezing weather on the road against a playoff team, they had a QB that had never played below 40 degrees in his career, and they found a way to grind it out and win the game in a playoff type atmoshphere. That was damn impressive.

 

[Joey007]

Titans need a few things. One is more receiving weapons. The other is probably 1-2 more defensive play makers.

They need a lot of help in the secondary; and they need one more big weapon on offense. After that they're a pretty well shaped roster.

Rishard Matthews actually did a really nice job for them last year. I know that was one of the guys we wanted to pick up.

 

[stinkypete]

The gap between good and great for Tennessee is already in the team - QB Marcus Mariota. The remaining offseason moves won't mean as much as Mariota's health and growth.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

I personally think that as long as Mike Mularkey is head coach they will never be a threat. Same can be for the Raiders with Del Rio.

 

[Tony2046]

lol... can't remember a single impressive game of Miami in 2016.

They were a 8-8ish team that overachieved in terms of 50:50 games.. doubt strongly they can keep beating statistical odds again like that...

But I am sure in 3 weeks after the first wave of FA dies down we will hear all about how they are the team to beat in the AFCE..

I agree. They over achieved but they also improved as the year went on. .

I do think Gase is a good coach and Grier has NE roots. They seemed to be improving as the year went on. If it was a case of the team getting used to the new offensive and defensive schemes they could continue to improve this year. If it was lucky then we'll see.

Edit to post: This is my novice opinion and it also an outside looking in perspective.

 

[luuked]

I agree. They over achieved but they also improved as the year went on. .

I do think Gase is a good coach and Grier has NE roots. They seemed to be improving as the year went on. If it was a case of the team getting used to the new offensive and defensive schemes they could continue to improve this year. If it was lucky then we'll see.

Edit to post: This is my novice opinion and it also an outside looking in perspective.

You really should watch their condensed games over the summer if you have a chance to do that. They improved in terms of win record but were never quite able to win games comfortably even against the 49ers (a few inches from Kap drawing the game), Rams (being outplayed for 56 minutes only to put together 2 drives at the end), Browns (Cleveland missing game winning FG as time expired only to lose in OT) or against the Chargers (it took 4 INTs of Rivers for the Dolphins to hang on to win).

Yes, the bottomline is that they found ways to win and their reward for that was a playoff berth. What it comes down to for me is that I don't think there is a lot of foundation there that Gase built last season which he can built upon this year. If he wants to have a team that can have sustained success he will have to rebuilt the team because you can't have that many fluke wins every season.

But I am looking forward to their annual offseason hype...

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Sorry, Mariota has talent but he still havent caught on the speed and dynamics of professional football. I dont think he is going to be a great QB even though he has the tools.

Are you talking about the guy who had 26 TDs, 9 INTs, and a 7.6 YPA in his second season? Seems like he has caught onto something. I am open minded, though...what makes you believe he will regress or that he is not as good as his numbers indicate?

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I think the AFCS might be the most interesting division. Houston is a playoff team DESPITE not having a QB. The Titans are building a strong team on both sides of the ball and have a lot picks this season. The Jags might respond to new leadership. They have a nice roster, but also without a QB. And then there are the Colts who probably have the best QB, who always make them scary. Thank god for Irsay. There will be no easy games for that division.

They are all bound to have talent with all the high draft picks...the problem is the NFL isn't static....that talent will be gone or paid much higher soon enough. And none of these teams have shown any hint of understanding how to navigate in the NFL with constant roster turnover and building teams by finding cheap, unrealized talent or consistently drafting better than other teams outside of the obvious blue chip lotto picks.

Same thing happened with the horrendous NFC West a few years back. They went from being the worst division in football to, naturally due to the parity-encouraging league, building some darn good teams for a few years. Now that this phase has passed, only the Seahawks are still good (though regressing) while St. Louis/LA is back to a bottom feeder, SF sucks, and Arizona is trending back to their usual subpar standing.

It's not that hard to collect talent when you suck, but the reason you obtain the talent is because you suck, and because you suck, the salary cap will make sure go back to sucking with few exceptions. Zoom in a little closer on AZ and SF and it will make sense. Got great talent, decided to screw the cap and build a team the 80s way, a couple of decent years, and then back to the bottom of the pit. Though I think the NFC South will not even pull that off because their QB play will prevent real contention.

 

[meatface]

Teams I would worry about from most to least next year:

1. Texans (if they pick up a QB)
2. Miami (I think they are headed in the right direction)
3. Raiders
4. Titans
5. Broncos (if they get a QB)

My novice opinion.

The Texans aren't even remotely a threat in my mind, the only time they have ever beaten the Pats was week 17 of the 09 season when the game didn't mean anything. But because they played better than expected in the playoffs suddenly they are a team that can beat the pats, remember that they lost 27-0 to Brisket and went 9-7 to win an awful AFC south.

 

[fightingirish595]

Yup a said a maybe a month or two ago they could be the team we play in the afc championship next year. They had the second best offensive line in football last year. Their defense is just abysmal. They have two first round picks. If they play their cards right they can make a deep run this year

 

[fightingirish595]

The Texans aren't even remotely a threat in my mind, the only time they have ever beaten the Pats was week 17 of the 09 season when the game didn't mean anything. But because they played better than expected in the playoffs suddenly they are a team that can beat the pats, remember that they lost 27-0 to Brisket and went 9-7 to win an awful AFC south.

If the Texans had any sort of quarterback the patriots may have actually been one and out. Only a legit threat if they have a capable starter

 

[Kontradiction]

On offense, they need two reliable WRs and some pieces on the OL for Mariota. But they are developing quite well. Mularkey won't be the coach to take them deep into the playoffs but, for now, he's great for Mariota's development.

 

[BostonWolverine]

My wife is a diehard Titans fan (originally from Nashville). They definitely have potential, but a lot of it will depend on how much Mariota progresses. By the way, she is still bitter about that loss to the Pats in the 2003 playoffs!