Way too early NFL predictions: AFC/NFC Championship Game matchups

AFC Championship: New England Patriots

Things appear to be a little tighter than normal in the AFC East, but it’s still New England’s division to lose. What could be the fulcrum here for the Patriots is whether the rest of the East catches up enough to beat them up and keep them from any type of home field advantage.

Of course this could all go south with Tom Brady missing four games due to suspension. Ultimately, how his appeal process pans out will impact things greatly. My guess is he ends up with, at most, a two-game suspension, which the Pats will overcome for a shot at home field advantage.

With home field, I feel pretty confident that they can beat all comers heading into the conference championship. Denver is going to struggle this year, and while they should still make the playoffs, I suspect the Clady injury will send them to an early exit. The Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals (whichever two make it) each have enough question marks to keep them from beating New England.

Overall, this is a Patriots team which continues to be very talented both offensively and defensively. While Tom Brady is getting older, he’s still a tremendous quarterback. Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell have both been excellent additions to Brady’s arsenal, Rob Gronkowski is healthy and even Danny Amendola seemed useful at times last season.

Really the only question on offense is how the Patriots manage the backfield. Can LeGarrette Blount (suspended for the first game of the season) take over for the departed Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen? Will Travaris Cadet live up to the promise he showed in New Orleans? Can James White get out of head coach Bill Belichick’s doghouse?

Defensively, this is a team that is pretty good along the front seven, but lost two very important pieces of the secondary. The drop from Darrelle Revis will likely be the bigger issue, as it’s impossible to replace him. Brandon Browner might get overlooked, but he was integral to the Super Bowl win. However, if guys like Justin Green and Logan Ryan step up, it could be enough.

At the end of the day, though, this team is a still pretty good and has enough on both sides of the ball to make it back to the conference championship game.

Next: AFC Championship: Indianapolis Colts