2010 NFL Predictions: AFC Division Winners, Wild-Card Teams

If there's one thing you can say about our 2010 AFC predictions, it's this: They are all over the map. Any numbers of teams in this conference could make the leap to Super Bowl contender this season -- Indianapolis, Baltimore, the Jets, Cincinnati and so on.

That potential makes for some difficult prognosticating. Even the AFC West, which has been dominated in recent memory by San Diego, looks wide open with wide receiver Vincent Jackson apparently ready to sit out the season. Could Oakland be the NFL's surprise team in 2010? The Raiders would certainly claim that title with a division win, though the Bills -- who received one playoff nod from our team of experts -- could swoop in if they make a miracle run.

More: NFC Picks | Dave Goldberg's 2010 Predictions
Super Bowl XLV Picks

Check out our 2010 AFC predictions below:

AFC East Predicted Champion


Josh Alper	Jets	Too many questions for New England on defense. And once Santonio Holmes gets there, the Jets' offense won't be nearly as bad as everyone thinks based on preseason results. -- Dan Graziano The Jets are beating their chests, but they won't be beating the Patriots. Unless Mark Sanchez makes mega-strides in Year 2, I'll take the team with the Canton-bound QB. -- Chris Harry
Knox Bardeen	Patriots
Jerry Bonkowski	Jets
Chris Burke	Patriots
Bruce Ciskie	Patriots
J.J. Cooper	Jets
Dan Graziano	Jets
Chris Harry	Patriots
Tom Mantzouranis	Dolphins
Stephanie Stradley	Jets
Matt Romanoski	Patriots
R.J. White	Patriots

AFC North Predicted Champion


Josh Alper	Ravens	The Ravens are the class of this division, and that's even with their best defensive player -- Ed Reed -- out for the first six weeks. -- Bruce Ciskie Last year's division winner restocked Carson Palmer's cupboard of weapons, making this not just a talented team, but one with depth. -- R.J. White
Knox Bardeen	Ravens
Jerry Bonkowski	Ravens
Chris Burke	Steelers
Bruce Ciskie	Ravens
J.J. Cooper	Ravens
Dan Graziano	Ravens
Chris Harry	Ravens
Tom Mantzouranis	Ravens
Stephanie Stradley	Ravens
Matt Romanoski	Ravens
R.J. White	Bengals

AFC South Predicted Champion


Josh Alper	Colts	Prove me wrong, AFC South. Peyton Manning looks as strong as ever, so until a team in this division rises up and snatches the crown, it feels illogical to pick against the Colts. -- Chris Burke Yeah, yeah, I know. But they get closer every year, and Super Bowl teams tend to take a step back. Can't see anything not to like about the Colts except that. -- Dan Graziano
Knox Bardeen	Colts
Jerry Bonkowski	Colts
Chris Burke	Colts
Bruce Ciskie	Colts
J.J. Cooper	Colts
Dan Graziano	Texans
Chris Harry	Colts
Tom Mantzouranis	Texans
Stephanie Stradley	Colts
Matt Romanoski	Colts
R.J. White	Titans

AFC West Predicted Champion


Josh Alper	Chargers	This division is ready to be stolen by a surprise team. The Raiders may have the league's best defensive player, and the offense will improve with JaMarcus Russell long gone. -- Bruce Ciskie Holdouts will hurt, but they're by far the best of a bad lot. -- Matt Romanoski
Knox Bardeen	Chargers
Jerry Bonkowski	Chargers
Chris Burke	Chargers
Bruce Ciskie	Raiders
J.J. Cooper	Chargers
Dan Graziano	Chargers
Chris Harry	Chargers
Tom Mantzouranis	Raiders
Stephanie Stradley	Chargers
Matt Romanoski	Chargers
R.J. White	Chargers

AFC Wild-Card Teams


Josh Alper	Dolphins, Titans	The Jets will do their wild-card thing again, thanks to their defense. And speaking of defense, the Raiders may have figured some things out in Oakland. -- Chris Harry There's no way the Colts miss the playoffs, and Baltimore would be a dangerous wild-card team that can run or pass effectively. -- R.J. White
Knox Bardeen	Jets, Texans
Jerry Bonkowski	Bills, Texans
Chris Burke	Ravens, Titans
Bruce Ciskie	Bengals, Texans
J.J. Cooper	Patriots, Steelers
Dan Graziano	Dolphins, Titans
Chris Harry	Jets, Raiders
Tom Mantzouranis	Chargers, Colts
Stephanie Stradley	Patriots, Texans
Matt Romanoski	Jets, Steelers
R.J. White	Colts, Ravens