Today is the start of a brand new day for 32 NFL football teams. A new season is officially here and that means everyone is 0-0 to begin the year. 

Facing the unknown of potential outcomes from Week 1 to Week 17 means that each team has a shot at taking home Super Bowl LIV in Miami, however we all know that some teams face a further uphill climb than others in their chase to secure that. 

Heading into opening night we have put together a preview for the whole AFC. Below you’ll find a division-by-division breakdown of all 16 teams that make up the conference. There’s a short blurb painting the picture of who that team is and what expectations they face this year. Finally, each one has a projected 2019 record. Without further ado, let’s jump into the predictions

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

In Buffalo, things start and end with second-year quarterback, Josh Allen. Allen came on strong during the second half of the season–with his legs more than his arms. The Bills are in the process of remaking themselves, letting LeSean McCoy go was part of that turnover. They still have one of the better pass defenses in the NFL led by Tre’Davious White. The AFC East still runs through New England but if Allen takes a step forward this year they’ll give the defending champions a run for their money.

RECORD PREDICTION: 6-10

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are telling anyone who will listen that they are not actively trying to lose games this year but their roster will tell you otherwise. Brian Flores comes over from the Patriots to try and lead this team into a new era. Ryan Fitzpatrick beat out Josh Rosen for the starting quarterback position but with Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills now in Houston, he is losing key pieces right before the season begins. This year is all about the 2020 NFL Draft in South Beach.

RECORD PREDICTION: 3-13

New England Patriots

As the defending Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots will have a target on their back from opening night on. Luckily, that same target has been there since 2001. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are back again and the team looks to continue their impressive 18-year run of success another season. Rob Gronkowski retired in the offseason, taking a big chunk of the offense–and fun–that we’ve grown accustomed to in New England with him. But this franchise operates like a chameleon and will have a brand new attack to unleash on the NFL this year.

RECORD PREDICTION: 12-4

New York Jets

This offseason the New York Jets front office put their money where there fans wanted to see it go. They brought in Le’Veon Bell this summer and used their $101,473,117 of cap space to fill in holes and bring in veterans C.J. Mosley and Jamison Crowder as well. Holding the third overall pick in the past two drafts let them bring in Sam Darnold and Quinnen Williams to round out a very talented group. Darnold was impressive late as a rookie and looks primed for a big season in his second year in the NFL. The belief in the Big Apple is that this team should be a true contender to unseat New England as top dog in the AFC East.

RECORD PREDICTION: 9-7

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh has been a huge success in his stint as the Ravens head coach but last season they began a transition from Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to wunderkind Lamar Jackson. Despite not being the full-time starter until Week 10, Jackson set a record for most rushing attempts by a quarterback (147) in NFL history. His legs are the primary weapon of destruction for opposing defenses but he’s no slouch slinging the ball around either. Baltimore has promised an offense that will change how the league plays on that side of the ball, only time will tell.

RECORD PREDICTION: 10-6

Cincinnati Bengals 

Marvin Lewis is out and Zac Taylor is in. The latest addition to the Sean McVay coaching tree is looking to punch up an offense that features three good to great players (Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, and Joe Mixon). Despite that powerful trio, things look bleak for this franchise heading into this season. This is the toughest division in the league this season and Cincinnati easily finds themselves at the bottom of the totem pole in the AFC North.

RECORD PREDICTION: 6-10

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are the team that everyone is anxiously awaiting to see take the field this fall. During the offseason they made the splash move of bringing in Odell Beckham Jr. and now their offense is powered by Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, and Beckham. Not many other teams have anywhere near that amount of talent between their quarterback, running back, and wide receiver positions. The defense will likely lead the way for this group as they are stacked on the defensive line, which is bookended by Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon.

RECORD PREDICTION: 9-7

Pittsburgh Steelers

Things are going to look a lot different for the Steelers this season as they begin the year without Le’Veon Bell (again) and Antonio Brown. Ben Roethlisberger is still calling the shots and the team around him is full of high-quality talent. The expectations is for there not to be a drop off for this team. They just barely missed the playoffs last season so their goal for this year is to get back into the postseason and prove that they are better off without two All-Pro players. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 9-7

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck shocked the entirety of the football world when he announced that he would be retiring from the NFL last weekend. Indianapolis had formed their best roster around him since drafting him first overall and were looking to do big things this year. Now, this franchise will go only as far as Jacoby Brissett can take them. With a solid foundation around him, Brissett doesn’t have to replicate Luck’s production in order for them to be successful this year. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 6-10

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have been on the cusp of becoming one of the elite teams in the NFL for the last few seasons. However, when the time to prove themselves presents itself they more often than not falter. The win-now trade with the Dolphins to bring in LT Laremy Tunsil and WR Kenny Stills shows that they are doing all they can to get over the proverbial hump. Keeping Deshaun Watson healthy is the first step to the franchise finally taking that next step. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 11-5

Jacksonville Jaguars 

It was just last year that the Jaguars looked like the toast of the town in the AFC South and primed to be among the AFC’s best teams for years to come. Yet, those dreams came to a halt following last season’s disappointing performance. Their defense was still one of the best but offensively Blake Bortles, Leonard Fournette and let the team down. Bortles is being replaced with Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and Fournette recommitted himself to his training this offseason. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 8-8

Tennessee Titans 

The Tennessee Titans attached their future to the growth and development of Marcus Mariota when they took him second overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Well, four years in and most of his progress has come through rehabilitation than on-field talent. If Mariota can improve—and stay healthy for a full season—things could go very well in Nashville. However, if we see more of the same out of this franchise then they will likely be faced with the question of whether or not they should move on at quarterback. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 4-12

AFC West 

Denver Broncos 

Ever since the Broncos defense carried Peyton Manning to a Super Bowl victory in 2016, the quarterback position in Denver has become a turnstile. The latest name to take his shot at revitalizing the franchise is Joe Flacco who was acquired in a trade from Baltimore this offseason. They won’t need him to lead a dominant offenses as new head coach Vic Fangio inherits a defense that is surely to finish among the best in the NFL. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 5-11

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs were the team many thought would be last year’s Super Bowl winners. Andy Reid’s offense was orchestrated beautifully by first-year starter, Patrick Mahomes—even losing Kareem Hunt for an extended period of time couldn’t slow that unit down. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill are back and we should expect more of the same from them this year. Defense they made a lot of changes and gave Steve Spagnolo oversight on that side of the ball. Additions like Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu were brought in to make a difference and if they do they will once again be Super Bowl favorites. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 14-2

Los Angeles Chargers

In the midst of all the love the Chiefs received a season ago, the Los Angeles Chargers nearly won the AFC West last year and they finished with an identical record. What had the makings of another stellar season was quickly derailed when Melvin Gordon opted to holdout over a contract dispute and then All-Pro safety, Derwin James went down with a fractured foot. The offense still has enough talent to make them a team not to take lightly—headlined by Phillip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry—and they will need to produce at a high-level if they want to repeat their performance from last season. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 8-8

Oakland Raiders

It’s year two (of 10) of the Jon Gruden experience and the Oakland Raiders brought in another former television analyst in Mike Mayock to be the team’s general manager. Their first nice together was to rescue disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown from Pittsburgh. The All-Pro has repaid them by missing practices due to helmet issues (and non-compliance) and frostbitten feet and is now facing a suspension for a confrontation he had with Mayock at practice. The drama in the Bay is only getting started. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 7-9