AFC preview: Patriots, Ravens, Colts, Broncos get nod

AFC EAST

(Predicted Order of Finish)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Las Vegas win total: 10 (Over -150)

Last season: 12-4

By the numbers: Tom Brady threw only nine interceptions in 582 attempts last season, when he ranked 10th in the NFL in passing yards (4,109). ... The Patriots ranked No. 4 in scoring offense (29.3).

Players to watch: LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray. Blount is the lead running back, but he's suspended for the Sept. 10 season opener against Pittsburgh. Gray is a capable backup who carried 37 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-20 win at Indianapolis in November. Gray found a spot in coach Bill Belichick's doghouse and disappeared, but he has shown positive signs in the preseason.

Player missed most: Darrelle Revis. One of the league's top cover cornerbacks, Revis returned to the New York Jets. Malcolm Butler, the Super Bowl hero, will get a shot to replace Revis.

Key game: at Indianapolis, Oct. 18. Brady will come back from suspension — if his suspension is upheld — to face the team that triggered the Deflate-gate investigation.

BUFFALO BILLS

Las Vegas win total: 8.5 (Under -140)

Last season: 9-7

By the numbers: Buffalo's defense ranked No. 4 in the league in yards allowed (312.2) and scoring (18.1). ... Tyrod Taylor, who might win the starting quarterback job, had 35 career pass attempts in four seasons as a Baltimore backup. He played in only one game and did not attempt a pass last season.

Players to watch: LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins. McCoy, the NFL rushing leader two years ago, was third in the league in rushing yards (1,319) last season with Philadelphia. As a rookie, Watkins had 65 receptions for 982 yards and six touchdowns. McCoy and Watkins are expected to lead a more explosive offense.

Player missed most: Kiko Alonso. The middle linebacker was traded to the Eagles for McCoy, and although he missed last season with a knee injury, Alonso is a rising star. New coach Rex Ryan is gambling on young linebackers emerging.

Key game: vs. New England, Sept. 20. Ryan has created a rare buzz in Buffalo, and he gets an early opportunity to make this a statement game.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Las Vegas win total: 9 (Over -135)

Last season: 8-8

By the numbers: Joe Philbin, 23-25 in three years as coach, enters a make-or-break year. ... Ryan Tannehill was sacked 46 times, the third-highest total in the league last season. His passer rating of 92.8 was the highest of his three-year career.

Players to watch: Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake. The Dolphins will showcase one of the league's strongest defensive lines. Suh is a run stopper, and Wake had 11½ sacks last season.

Player missed most: Mike Wallace. After leading the team with 10 touchdown receptions, he was traded to Minnesota. But the Dolphins have potential big-play receivers DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills ready to take his place.

Key game: vs. New England, Jan. 3. In this division, it's all about beating the Patriots. This season finale could have postseason implications.

NEW YORK JETS

Las Vegas win total: 7.5 (Under -120)

Last season: 4-12

By the numbers: The Jets ranked No. 5 in the league in run defense last season, allowing 93.1 yards per game. ... Ryan Fitzpatrick had a 6-6 record as Houston's starting quarterback last season.

Players to watch: Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The wide receivers will need to make big plays and do heavy lifting in this offense to help a weak quarterback, whether it's Fitzpatrick or Geno Smith.

Player missed most: None. The Jets — and the New York media — will miss Rex Ryan. New coach Todd Bowles, who has an impressive resume as a defensive coordinator, inherited a wealth of talent on defense.

Key game: vs. Buffalo, Nov. 12. Ryan returns on a Thursday night, and the New York media will crank up the hype.

AFC NORTH

(Predicted Order of Finish)

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Las Vegas win total: 9 (Over -140)

Last season: 10-6

By the numbers: The Ravens have reached the playoffs in six of coach John Harbaugh's seven seasons. ... Baltimore ranked No. 6 in the league in scoring defense (18.9).

Players to watch: Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett. Flacco passed for 27 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season, but he needs to do more to keep pace with the Steelers' high-scoring offense. Forsett emerged as the league's No. 5 rusher with 1,266 yards.

Player missed most: Haloti Ngata. The mammoth defensive tackle was traded to Detroit. But the Ravens remain strong across the board on a defense led by linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Key game: vs. Seattle, Dec. 13. Are the Ravens still Super Bowl contenders?

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Las Vegas win total: 8.5 (Under -125)

Last season: 11-5

By the numbers: Ben Roethlisberger and New Orleans' Drew Brees tied for the league lead in passing yards (4,952) last season. ... Antonio Brown was the league leader with 1,698 yards receiving. ... Pittsburgh ranked No. 7 in scoring offense (27.3).

Players to watch: Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Brown became an elite receiver while Bell ranked second in the league in rushing. This team's identity is now its offense. The Steelers have the weapons to average 30 points per game.

Player missed most: Troy Polamalu. The relentless safety retired, and coordinator Dick LeBeau left for Tennessee. The linebackers will lead the defense, while the secondary is a mystery.

Key game: vs. Indianapolis, Dec. 6. The Steelers blitzed the Colts 51-34 last season, and Andrew Luck will be out for revenge.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Las Vegas win total: 8.5 (Over -120)

Last season: 10-5-1

By the numbers: Jeremy Hill rushed for 1,124 yards as a rookie, picking up 5.1 yards per carry. ... Andy Dalton regressed last season, passing for 19 touchdowns with 17 interceptions.

Players to watch: A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu. Dalton is a mediocre quarterback, but he's fortunate to have a pair of big-play receivers. Green is off a down year, totaling only 69 receptions and six touchdowns, while missing three games. He should catch around 100 balls this season.

Player missed most: None. The Bengals return several talented veterans on what should be one of the league's top 10 defenses.

Key game: vs. Seattle, Oct. 11. Is Cincinnati an elite team in the AFC? Beating the Seahawks would be a confidence builder.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Las Vegas win total: 6.5 (Under -160)

Last season: 7-9

By the numbers: Josh McCown, the favorite to start at quarterback, passed for 11 touchdowns with 14 interceptions last season with Tampa Bay. ... Cleveland ranked 32nd in the league in run defense, allowing 141.6 yards per game.

Players to watch: McCown and Johnny Manziel. A bust as a rookie, Manziel has improved enough to create a quarterback controversy.

Player missed most: Josh Gordon. The talented wideout is suspended for the season, and to make matters worse, tight end Jordan Cameron left as a free agent.

Key game: vs. Tennessee, Sept. 20. The Browns won't win many games, and this is a must-win spot against another weak team.

AFC SOUTH

(Predicted Order of Finish)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Las Vegas win total: 10.5 (Over -160)

Last season: 11-5

By the numbers: Andrew Luck has started all 48 games in his three seasons. He passed for 40 touchdowns last season, stringing together eight straight 300-yard passing games. ... Indianapolis ranked No. 1 in passing offense and No. 22 in rushing offense.

Players to watch: Frank Gore and Andre Johnson. Luck has the luxury of leaning on a veteran running back and wide receiver. Gore was a big addition from San Francisco, and Johnson left Houston to line up opposite T.Y. Hilton.

Player missed most: Cory Redding. The defensive end signed with Arizona. He might not be missed as much as Robert Mathis, a Pro Bowl pass rusher who is returning from injury and will be absent for the early part of the season.

Key game: vs. Denver, Nov. 8. It always means something when Peyton Manning comes back to Indianapolis.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Las Vegas win total: 8.5 (Over -110)

Last season: 9-7

By the numbers: Defensive end J.J. Watt had 20½ sacks and five touchdowns last season. ... The Texans started three quarterbacks last season, but Brian Hoyer, who won seven games for the Browns, will be their new starter.

Players to watch: Brian Cushing and Vince Wilfork. Watt is the face of a powerful defense, but Cushing has the motor and talent to be one of the league's best linebackers. Wilfork, a veteran discarded by the Patriots, should strengthen the run defense.

Player missed most: Andre Johnson. The veteran wideout will hurt the Texans because he will help the Colts. Still, DeAndre Hopkins is a star, and Cecil Shorts can fill Johnson's shoes.

Key game: vs. Indianapolis, Oct. 8. The Texans, who have a soft schedule, need to break through and beat the Colts, who won last year's meetings 33-28 and 17-10.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Las Vegas win total: 5.5 (Over -110)

Last season: 3-13

By the numbers: The Jaguars ranked 31st in total offense and 26th in total defense last season. ... Jacksonville lost its first four games by a total of 94 points.

Players to watch: Blake Bortles and Julius Thomas. Bortles passed for 11 touchdowns with 17 interceptions as a rookie. Thomas, who was Peyton Manning's go-to tight end in Denver, was paid big money to give Bortles much-needed help.

Player missed most: None. The Jaguars added a lot of talent in the offseason and could be significantly improved.

Key game: vs. Carolina, Sept. 13. Jacksonville started 0-6 last season, so getting a win in Week 1 could set a more optimistic tone.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Las Vegas win total: 5.5 (Over -150)

Last season: 2-14

By the numbers: Zach Mettenberger, competing with rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, went 0-6 as a starter last season. ... Tennessee ranked 29th in total offense and 27th in total defense.

Players to watch: Mariota and Bishop Sankey. Mariota was the No. 2 pick in the draft, with the Titans turning down a monster trade offer from Philadelphia to grab him. He needs the support of a running attack, and Sankey showed potential as a rookie.

Player missed most: None. The Titans were the least-talented team in the league. The addition of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau meant more than any player who departed.

Key game: vs. Buffalo, Oct. 11. Mariota, if he's the starter, will get tested by a dominant Bills defense.

AFC WEST

(Predicted Order of Finish)

DENVER BRONCOS

Las Vegas win total: 10 (Over -130)

Last season: 12-4

By the numbers: Denver ranked No. 2 in the league in run defense last season, allowing 79.8 yards per game. ... New coach Gary Kubiak replaces John Fox, who won four division titles in four years.

Players to watch: Peyton Manning and Demaryius Thomas. Manning, who turned 39 in March, passed for 39 touchdowns last season. Thomas had 11 touchdowns and was No. 2 in the league with 1,619 yards.

Player missed most: Julius Thomas. Manning lost his star tight end, and Kubiak is instilling a new offense that will put more emphasis on the running attack.

Key game: vs. New England, Nov. 29. Tom Brady's emails predicting Manning's demise might get some play in the media.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Las Vegas win total: 8.5 (Over -140)

Last season: 9-7

By the numbers: Alex Smith passed for 18 touchdowns last season, but none of them went to Chiefs wide receivers. ... Kansas City ranked 29th in passing offense. ... Outside linebacker Justin Houston was the league leader with 22 sacks.

Players to watch: Jamaal Charles and Jeremy Maclin. The lack of a vertical passing attack has clogged Charles' running lanes. Maclin, a speed receiver brought in from Philadelphia, could provide the boost the offense desperately needs. He had 10 touchdowns last season.

Player missed most: Dwayne Bowe. The veteran wideout was a playmaker when he had a quarterback who could get him the ball. Maclin could be a better fit in coach Andy Reid's offense.

Key game: vs. Denver, Sept. 17. The Chiefs open at Houston and visit Green Bay in Week 3, so this division game looms large.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Las Vegas win total: 8 (Over -150)

Last season: 9-7

By the numbers: San Diego ranked 30th in rushing offense last season. ... Philip Rivers passed for 31 touchdowns, but he threw 18 interceptions and was sacked 36 times.

Players to watch: Melvin Ingram and Eric Weddle. Ingram, a linebacker, is a young and talented pass rusher. Weddle, a veteran safety, is the heart of a defense that ranked No. 9 in the league, No. 4 against the pass.

Player missed most: Ryan Mathews. The Chargers needed changes at running back, so they drafted Melvin Gordon in the first round, and Danny Woodhead returns from an ankle injury. Rivers' numbers should improve with more production from the ground attack.

Key game: vs. Pittsburgh, Oct. 12. The Chargers' biggest games are obviously against the Broncos, but the Steelers visit on a Monday night.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Las Vegas win total: 5.5 (Over -140)

Last season: 3-13

By the numbers: Oakland ranked 32nd in the league last season in total offense and rushing offense.

Players to watch: Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Derek Carr passed for 21 touchdowns as a rookie, but his completion percentage (58.1) was low and he needed better receiving targets. The Raiders made Cooper the No. 4 pick and signed Crabtree as a free agent from San Francisco.

Player missed most: None. Oakland lost running backs Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew, but neither player made much of an impact. Latavius Murray is the No. 1 back.

Key game: vs. Cincinnati, Sept. 13. New coach Jack Del Rio debuts with a rebuilt defense that will be tested by the Bengals.