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SteemSports Presenter: Matthew Biamonte, @gnocdepatat

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SteemSports Editor: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0, STEEM Witness & PeerPlays Witness.

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With OTA’s wrapping up and summer training camp right around the corner, it’s the perfect time for my “Way Too Early” NFL predictions. Over the next few weeks, SteemSports will cover predictions for the entire NFL season; division winners to Super Bowl Champs. This will be purely speculative as a lot can happen between now and the regular season start date, but will be grounded in the previous performances and the draft results of every NFL team. Today we’ll be covering the AFC, starting with my predictions for the divisional winners. Enjoy!

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AFC North

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The Browns are in full rebuild mode. They have a lot of potential for the future, but this is still the Browns. They will struggle to win more than two games this year. Myles Garrett seems to be the real deal, and the future is bright for this young team. The Ravens have a deadly secondary of Jimmy Smith, Tony Jefferson and Eric Weddle will be the backbone of this defense, and the addition of Marlon Humphrey should provide them with lots of depth. A receiving core that now feature Jeremy Maclin should prove to be a strong unit, but a committee lead by Larenzo Taliaferro leaves something to be desired. Joe Flacco is a question mark, you just never know which Joe will come out to play.

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The Bengals have drafted the NFL’s fastest man in John Ross to complement a top deep threat in AJ Green. Joe Mixon should live up to his pre-draft hype, helping to ease the load on Andy Dalton. Dunlap and Atkins will, once again, prove to be a strong unit on the defensive line and the rest of the defense will make for a more than capable unit. The return of Martavis Bryant, the addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster and emergence of Eli Rogers should make this team one of the most deadly in the entire league on the offensive side of the ball. Le’Veon Bell will continue to steam roll opposing defenses, and Big Ben is going to have one heck of a year with all this fire power. Steelers win at least 10 games, and take this division.

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Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers

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AFC South

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The AFC looks to be a true three horse race for the first time in over half a decade. The Jaguars look fantastic on paper and in a perfect world, they would be a Super Bowl contender. In reality, this is a team built of stars, put together in free agency, and more often than not, this doesn’t work out. While Leonard Fournette has the potential to be this year’s OROY, and defensive stars like Jalen Ramsey and Malik Jackson will make this team fun to watch, I wouldn’t expect to see more than 6 wins from this squad. Houston is one of the more interesting teams in the league. Their defense is, in my opinion, the best in the league. The offense has some proven playmakers in DeAndre Hopkins and Lamar Miller, along with some young talent in Will Fuller and Braxton Miller. The major problem with this squad is the quarterback position; I am not the least bit confident that DeShaun Watson is even close to the answer they’ve been looking for. Expect the quarterback position to be their downfall again this year.

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Tennessee is a very well rounded team. Deadly on both side of the trenches, Tennessee will win a lot of close games this season. They’re exotic smash mouth attack is now complimented with a serious threat in the receiving core. The addition of Eric Decker adds depth and leadership. More than that though, it adds a set of sure hands for Marcus Mariota to rely on. This team should develop into a perennial playoff team, but I believe that they are still a year or two away.

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The Indianapolis Colts are my pick for the division winners. This team lacks on the defensive side of the ball, there’s no doubt about that. The addition of Johnathan Hankins and return of Henry Anderson should help to sure up the defense line. Rookies Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson add depth and ball skills to a secondary that already boasts the skills of Vontae Davis, but this team needs to stop the run, and pressure the opposing quarterback. TY Hilton is a top receiver in the league. The addition of Kamar Aiken adds depth behind Donte Moncrief and a running back committee spear headed by the ageless wonder Frank Gore should be good enough to move the chains. Simply put: The Colts have the potential to be an offensive juggernaut, they have the best quarterback in the division by far in Andrew Luck. Colts retake the division this year, but without the addition of some middle linebackers they face uncertain times ahead.

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Winner: Indianapolis Colts

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AFC East

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Perhaps the easiest division in the NFL to predict. New England has showed absolutely no signs of slowing down, in fact they look better than their Super Bowl winning team from last year. The addition of Brandon Cooks makes the Pats down right terrifying. Not much can be said about the Jets, this team has completely imploded with the exception of a few defensive standouts (Jamal Adams anyone?). My prediction for the Jets: three wins, tops.

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The Bills look really good this year. Their defense has top five potential, and if Sammy Watkins can finally stay healthy, look for the Bills’ offensive unit to be better by leaps and bounds. Zay Jones and LeSean McCoy on the same team? Yes, please. Miami is an interesting team this year. I don’t believe that they are as good as their 10-6 record from last year suggests, but their offensive has some potential. Jarvis Landry is a stud, plain and simple. Jay Ajayi exploded onto the scene last year, but will he be able to repeat his performance? I’m not confident that he’s more than your average back, although I hope that I’m wrong. Ajayi was easily one of the most electrifying players in the AFC last year.

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Winner: New England Patriots

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AFC West

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The west looks to be the NFL’s most competitive division this year. Three AFC West teams in the playoffs is not an unreasonable prediction as there are four teams here that are very capable of being 10 win teams. Denver has lost a step since Manning retired, and while Demarcus Ware will be missed, this defense is still incredibly potent. LA has the potential to be one of the sleeper offensive teams this year. With Keenan Allen back and Mike Williams joining the team and an upgraded offensive line, this team looks scary.

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KC is the wildcard in this division. Their defensive will be as good as ever, even with Tamba Hali being another year older. The offense, however, is an unknown. Will Tyreek Hill take that next step? Can Kelce control his on field behavior? Most importantly, will KC’s running back by committee be enough to make up for what Jamaal Charles once was? Oakland seems to be the clear front runner here. Derek Carr is back, the defense is one of the top in the AFC and Gareon Conley will help to sure up that secondary. Oakland’s offensive line is easily a top five unit, and with Marshawn Lynch joining the silver and black, look for Oakland to take the next step this year.

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Winner: Oakland Raiders

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The AFC will likely be the more competitive conference this year. With three divisions (North, South and West) being so close, fans are in for a treat! What are your predictions for the AFC this year? Do you agree with mine? Stay tuned for more!

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