2012 Most Improved NFL AFC Teams

Every year, the NFL sees a basement dweller from last year’s campaign rise from the ashes and surprise audiences with a sudden blessing of competition. Finding out who that team might be before it happens is next to impossible, mainly because the team’s chemistry and confidence are not reflected on paper. Yet year after year we idiots try like hell to erase the film from our crystal ball and, with careful analysis, outmaneuver the random mouth breathers and dart throwers.

However, this time, I am not going to pronounce my highest probability of success. Instead, I have identified a handful of teams that improved themselves the most in the offseason and I hope that one of them on the list becomes a gel to finally be able to show that a thorough examination of the facts consistently outperforms the bad. luck and instinct.

BUFFALO

After a strong offseason, there is genuine optimism in Buffalo for the first time in more than a decade. Despite a meltdown in the second half, the Bills showed flashes in 2011 that warranted hope for a semi-revival. With the addition of $ 100 million Super Mario, the Bills have put together an onslaught of very high-profile passes (on paper). While Shawne Merriman, Mario Williams and first-round pick CB Stephon Gilmore give the defense much-needed swagger, the offense was also bolstered with the addition of NC State’s WR TJ Graham and the return of the injured Marcus Easley in the open position.

Although quarterback Vince Young has been an inconsistent commodity throughout his career, the prevailing opinion is that if he were to be successful in any NFL offense, the Chan Gailey spread is the best option. If quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald’s physical limitations come to the fore again in 2012, don’t be surprised to see more of Vince in the mix.

From a fantasy perspective, the Bills’ two best options remain the versatile RB Fred Jackson and the unpredictable WR Stevie Johnson. Although the RB CJ Spiller had pops in 2011, it will still be the second most underrated fiddle in the AFC. Which WR is to play against Johnson is the biggest question mark this year, and we trust the talented Easley. David Nelson will be back in the slot machine role. Nelson’s solid play made Roscoe Parrish expendable. It proved to be a favorite target for Fitz last year and he sleeps well for the later rounds.

CITY OF KANSAS

Arguably, no team suffered more injuries in 2011 than Kansas City. The early loss of a stellar collection of players to knee injuries (RB Jamaal Charles, S Eric Berry and TE Tony Moeaki) set the tone for the rest of the year.

While we remain skeptical about the character of quarterback Matt Cassell as the starting quarterback in the NFL, there is no denying that he is better than the fiasco that was Tyler Palko. Todd Haley’s stubbornness to stay with Palko, arguably the worst quarterback to start in the 21st century, ultimately led to his departure. With Romeo Crennel taking over as coach, there will be a much greater emphasis on the race and KC will have an impressive set of thunder and lighting with Peyton Hillis and Jamal Charles. They further strengthened that attack with the addition of veteran tackle Eric Winston from Houston.

Although there is a lot of skill in WR, with Jon Baldwin and Dwayne Bowe, they both lack discipline and don’t give the Chiefs the consistency they need at the position. At the time this was written, Bowe had yet to show up at camp. The staff hopes rookie WR Devon Wylie (Fresno) can add the much-needed element of speed to the unit. Wylie is a Wes Welker replica and should thrive on the slot machine. It could be worth a shuttlecock in the later rounds of fantasy, especially in the dynasty leagues.

The true strength of the team is on the other side of the ball. With one of the best defenses in the league, the acquisition of former first round and veteran Stanford Routt from rival Oakland really strengthens the defensive backfield. And while some say recruiting NT Dontari Poe (Memphis) was a reach at No. 11 overall, his formidable size will quickly help shore up the defense against the run.

The bottom line is that Kansas City brings a wealth of talent to the field of play. They finished 7-9 in 2011 with a good chunk of their roster on IR. With the highly respected Crennel back in charge, we expect the Chiefs to compete for the division title.