Biggest loss: WR Plaxico Burress
What's the story: The Jets offseason has been a circus thanks to the addition of Tim Tebow. Tebow's role and how it affects the play of Mark Sanchez is and will continue to be the NFL's top story, and was only exacerbated by the ineffectiveness of the offense in preseason. The team's defense should be stingy under Rex Ryan, but it is hard to bank on winning low-scoring games in today's pass-happy NFL.
Prediction: 6-10
Miami Dolphins
2011 record: 6-10
Biggest addition: QB Ryan Tannehill
Biggest loss: WR Brandon Marshall
What's the story: The Dolphins have a new head coach in Joe Philbin and a new quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is raw and the team lacks explosive options at wideout, which sounds like a recipe for futility on offense in Miami. The Dolphins showed flashes of potential last season, but the new regime will have to take a few steps back with Tannehill in order to move forward.
Prediction: 5-11
Buffalo Bills
2011 record: 6-10
Biggest addition: DE Mario Williams
Biggest loss: T Demetress Bell
What's the story: After starting 2011 at 5-2, the Bills' playoff hopes crumbled due to a 26th-ranked defense. With Dave Wannstedt now at the controls on D, Buffalo has switched to a 4-3 base and with Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in place, boast an imposing defensive line. If Fred Jackson stays healthy and Ryan Fitzpatrick is effective, the Bills have an outside shot at a playoff spot.
Prediction: 9-7
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
2011 record: 12-4
Biggest addition: OLB Courtney Upshaw
Biggest loss: G Ben Grubbs
What's the story: Losing Terrell Suggs to a torn Achilles' tendon is a major blow for a defense that was already in transition with new coordinator Dean Pees. It is hard to envision that unit, usually elite, not taking a step back in 2012. It will be up to Joe Flacco and the offense to pick up the slack. Look for a big season from emerging second-year wideout Torrey Smith.
Prediction: 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers
2011 record: 12-4
Biggest addition: TE Leonard Pope
Biggest loss: LB James Farrior
What's the story: As is usually the case in Pittsburgh, the offensive-line play is key to success. They addressed the need in the first two rounds of the draft, but with David DeCastro's knee injury and Mike Adams' inexperience, the questions remain. If Ben Roethlisberger can stay upright, the Steelers should be fine on offense, Mike Wallace's unhappiness not withstanding. The defense should be as stout as ever under Dick LeBeau.
Prediction: 10-6
Cleveland Browns
2011 record: 4-12
Biggest addition: RB Trent Richardson
Biggest loss: RB Peyton Hillis
What's the story: Regardless of record, the Browns' success in 2012 will be measured by the play of rookies Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden. Richardson has had his knee scoped twice in the past year, but remains an elite talent if healthy. Weeden is already 28, and must be good right away to justify his first-round selection. If they hit on both, there may finally be hope in Cleveland.
Prediction: 4-12
Cincinnati Bengals
2011 record: 9-7
Biggest addition: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Biggest loss: G Bobbie Williams
What's the story: The Bengals' draft, aided by an additional first-rounder, was universally lauded. With rookie Andy Dalton under center, they were a surprise playoff team in 2011. They need Dalton to duplicate his success to be a legitimate contender.
Prediction: 8-8
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts
2011 record: 2-14
Biggest addition: QB Andrew Luck
Biggest loss: WR Pierre Garcon
What's the story: With a new front office and first-year coach in Chuck Pagano, the Colts blew up what was the worst team in the NFL last season. Most of the aging veterans of their heyday are gone, which was probably necessary to let the Andrew Luck era commence. Luck has looked like a veteran in preseason, and if that translates into the regular season the Colts could be back sooner than expected.
Prediction: 4-12
Jacksonville Jaguars
2011 record: 5-11
Biggest addition: WR Justin Blackmon
Biggest loss: QB Luke McCown
What's the story: Maurice Jones-Drew's holdout finally ended this week. MJD's training camp absence could be prohibitive. The Jags are mostly set on defense - new head coach Mike Mularkey simply needs to find out if second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert can play. The additions of Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson on the outside should help.
Prediction: 5-11
Houston Texans
2011 record: 10-6
Biggest addition: LB Bradie James
Biggest loss: DE Mario Williams
What's the story: After years of preseason hype, the Texans finally broke through in 2011. Before they lost Matt Schaub to injury, Houston and their vaunted defense looked Super Bowl worthy. Consequently, Schaub's health is crucial if they want to return to that level in 2012. Several veterans are gone, including the right side of their offensive line, but their loaded core should prove capable of repeating as AFC South champs.
Prediction: 11-5
Tennessee Titans
2011 record: 9-7
Biggest addition: LB Kamerion Wimbley
Biggest loss: CB Cortland Finnegan
What's the story: Jake Locker has supplanted Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback in Tennessee. Locker has a big-time arm and with the addition of Kendall Wright and the return of Kenny Britt, he has wide receivers in place to eventually succeed. A revitalized Chris Johnson would go a long way to helping the Titans match last year's success, but ultimately it will be tough given Locker's inexperience.
Prediction: 7-9
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
2011 record: 8-8
Biggest addition: QB Peyton Manning
Biggest loss: DT Brodrick Bunkley
What's the story: Calling the move from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning an upgrade at quarterback is an understatement for the ages. A healthy Manning makes the Broncos an instant Super Bowl contender. Denver has some potent pieces on defense and should have a strong pass rush, but the loss of Brodrick Bunkley has left them soft up the middle and could spell trouble in the run-heavy AFC West.
Prediction: 12-4
San Diego Chargers
2011 record: 8-8
Biggest addition: WR Robert Meachem
Biggest loss: WR Vincent Jackson
What's the story: While last season was nothing short of a disaster for Philip Rivers, his performance over the last five games was encouraging. Assuming Rivers regains his Pro Bowl form and Ryan Mathews doesn't miss too much time, the Chargers are capable of challenging Denver for the division.
Prediction: 9-7
Oakland Raiders
2011 record: 8-8
Biggest addition: CB Ron Bartell
Biggest loss: RB Michael Bush
What's the story: Hampered with bad contracts and a dearth of draft picks, new head coach Dennis Allen and his staff have their work cut out for them in 2012. Given the capabilities of Darren McFadden and an underrated receiving corps, Carson Palmer should be better with 10 games as a Raider under his belt. But with a suspect defense, the Raiders have fallen behind an improved division.
Prediction: 6-10
Kansas City Chiefs
2011 record: 7-9
Biggest addition: OT Eric Winston
Biggest loss: CB Brandon Carr
What's the story: A year after coming out of nowhere to win the AFC West, the Chiefs were decimated by season-ending injuries in 2011. If the returns of Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki weren't enough, the Chiefs added Peyton Hillis and Eric Winston on O. The run game should revert to its 2010 form and if Matt Cassel can follow suit, Kansas City is dangerous.
Prediction: 10-6
