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No. Just no.
The Bengals were minutes away from a SB and have, on paper, made substantial improvements. There's no reason with the roster we have to NOT have high expectations.
I get that a repeat is a statistical anomaly and the AFC is stacked, but the Bengals still looks like a good bet to be a top contender.
Bills, Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders just improved overall. But the other AFC teams are toss-ups. All the other AFC teams are hype.
Ravens will improve just by not getting injured. But Lamar Jackson is now working with sub par receivers. Their offense production will see a decline to offset their defensive improvements.
Kansas City with Andy Reid and no Tyreek Hilll? JuJu and a rookie isn't going to make up for that loss. They're worse off. Their decline probably starts now with the AFC West being stacked.
Pittsburgh, as much as I never like ruling them out; are beatable. Defense will clear cut weaknesses, Mitch Trubisky, and Antonio Brown 2.0? Who's scared, really?
Cleveland probably stays afloat without Watson since their first 8 games are cupcake. But will Watson be that much of an immediate improvement after being out the game for so long? I don't think so. They won't get any serious ROI on this Watson bet until next season at the earliest. They'll be a thorn in our sides with or without him for sure.
The Jets are the "maybe next year" team.
Miami ****** up by sticking with Tua. He won't get it done.
Post-Brady Bellichek ain't shit.
Matt Ryan is better than Wentz and Rivers, but the Falcons really pampered that guy. I don't think he'll add much.
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The Bengals have a edge on many AFC teams.
It's the continuity factor.
Coordinators and coaches still retained going into year 4.
Same cores on both sides of the ball.
I'm not worried about the 3 new olineman acquired
In free agency. All of them have high football IQs.
They will have no issue picking up Pollack blocking
Scheme.
Hayden Hurst has played in multiple offenaive schemes
He's seen alot, done alot
Even the media darlings the Bills have to adjust to a new
OC. The Ravens have a new DC. All these new coordinators
Need time to work out the terminology etc etc.
Steelers,Broncos, Colts ,Browns all starting new signal callers
Their offenses won't have automatic success right out the gate.
I like the Chargers and Bengals in the AFC Title game.
I think both teams have the most continuity coming into
2022.
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