In perhaps the most wide open AFC in some time, here is how the top teams in the AFC rank heading into the 2010 season.

5. New York Jets. Many have already penciled the Jets in as the AFC representative in the Super Bowl, one being coach Rex Ryan. The Jets certainly do have a lot going for them with an elite defense and a top-tier offensive line, but Mark Sanchez is still very young and they are playing in arguably the best division in football with the Patriots and the quickly improving Miami Dolphins. Having said that, the Jets did add Antonio Cromartie to their secondary and Santonio Holmes to their receiving corps, making them better on paper than they were last year.

If Sanchez can keep developing, he’ll do more than help the Jets sell NFL tickets. The Jets are definitely a team to watch in 2010, but they have to play as well as their coach promotes them to move up the rankings.

4. Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens reached the playoffs last season without a whole lot going for them on offense other than Ray Rice. This year, they’ve added stud wideout Anquan Boldin to the mix Tadalis SX and they still have reliable veteran receiver Derrick Mason, who is better suited as a number two at this point in his career. Joe Flacco also is one of the better young quarterbacks in the league, giving them a chance to win every single Sunday. Their defense is older but is still very Cialis talented. After winning nine games last season, 11 wins in 2010 is certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

3. New England Patriots. The Pats may not end up this year as one of the best teams, but they’ll be near the top of the AFC rankings until an up-and-coming team like the Texans or Ravens knocks them down the list. There is definitely some concern about wideout Wes Welker, who wrecked his knee at the end of the 2009 regular season, but he’s already well ahead of the usual rate of recovery. With it likely being Randy Moss’ last season in New England, the Pats are sure to put together some wins and figure into the AFC playoff picture.

2. San Diego Chargers. On paper, the same as every year, the Chargers are again one of the top teams in the entire league in terms of talent. Philip Rivers doesn’t put up Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees numbers, but he’s still an elite quarterback. After addressing their biggest need in the draft – running back – the Chargers are in great shape to coast to another AFC West title in a very weak division. They haven’t put it together in the postseason, but sooner or later they will get the job done. Right?

1. Indianapolis Colts. After winning the AFC in 2009, the Colts look to be just as strong in 2010. They still may not be able to run the ball, though this didn’t stop them at all last season. With the most consistent quarterback in the league in Peyton Manning and a plethora of weapons from Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark to Pierre Garcon and Joseph Addai, the Colts are still loaded. Their defense was spotty at times in 2009, but they should be the toughest team in the AFC to beat for the second consecutive season.

Sleeper teams:
The Houston Texans were a win away from the postseason in 2009 and have a very good quarterback in Matt Schaub to go with the league’s most consistently dominant receiver in Andre Johnson. 2010 looks like the year the Texans will get their first crack at the postseason.

Though they’ll have to play the Pats and Jets twice each, the Dolphins still made all the right moves in the offseason, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise for a team operated by Bill Parcells. They have a nice quarterback to develop in Chad Henne and brought over stud wideout Brandon Marshall to give him someone to throw to. Karlos Dansby is also a really nice addition to an already solid defensive squad. In a rare year, three teams in the AFC East could potentially reach the postseason. And no, I don’t mean the Buffalo Bills.

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