Leaves are beginning to fall and school finally here, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for football!  After a crazy offseason in which many big names found new homes, fans are itching to see their favorite teams get back onto the field. Take a look at these predictions for each of the AFC’s four divisions and see if your team will be vying for a shot at winning the Lombardi Trophy in the Super Bowl come February!

AFC East: New England Patriots

This was by far the easiest prediction to make. After a thrilling Super Bowl victory in February, the Patriots were extremely aggressive in the offseason. They signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore and running back Mike Gillislee to multi-year deals, making up for the departures of Legarrette Blount and Logan Ryan. Gillislee, along with Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, and James White, give the Patriots a diverse and plentiful backfield.  The Pats also acquired explosive receiver Brandin Cooks from the Saints, giving quarterback Tom Brady yet another weapon to add to his arsenal, which still includes veterans Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, and Chris Hogan. Defensively, Malcolm Butler, Alan Branch, and Dont’a Hightower were each resigned, with defensive tackle Lawrence Guy and linebacker David Harris being brought in as important role players. At this point, the Patriots seem to be a better team than a season ago, a scary thought for the rest of the league. With the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins not expected to be strong teams this year, count on New England to capture yet another AFC East crown.

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers ended their season in a bitter way last year, losing to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, a game in which star running back Le’Veon Bell was injured early and did not return. If Bell, who is currently holding out from team activities due to a contract dispute, returns to the team, then the Steelers will be dangerous. Bell, along with QB Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown, lead a formidable offense that can score a ton of points. The team is also expected to sign veteran corner Joe Hayden, bolstering a solid defense that also added linebacker T.J. Watt in the draft. The Baltimore Ravens could compete for the division crown, but don’t count on the Bengals or Browns to be threats. If the Steelers can stay healthy, they could challenge the Patriots for supremacy in the competitive AFC.

AFC West: Oakland Raiders

Oakland is my prediction to win this division for two reasons: Derek Carr and Marshawn Lynch. Lynch, returning from retirement, is the type of aggressive back that can carry an offense a long way. He will be a physical and dominant force that will wear down opposing defenses to open up the passing game. On top of that, he also has an emerging star quarterback by his side in Carr. Carr signed a 5 year/$125 million contract this offseason, showing he’s the type of player this franchise wants to build around. With 28 touchdowns last year before a season-ending injury, he’ll be expected to lead this team to another double-digit win season in a division that is always competitive. Two more reasons for the Raiders to win the division this year are because of their explosive offense and the fact that annual division contender Denver has a weak and uncertain offense this year. Circle your calendars for November 19^th as the Raiders battle the Patriots in Mexico City, a game with huge playoff implications.

AFC South: Tennessee Titans

Yes, that’s right. The Tennessee Titans will win the AFC South. Young quarterback Marcus Mariota is turning into a very good passer and leader of the offensive huddle. Receivers Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews and Eric Decker will also be big contributors this year, and running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry round out a surprisingly star-filled offense that will surprise a lot of people this season. Linebacker Brian Orakpo and newly signed cornerback Logan Ryan are the stars of the defense, and both are capable of stepping up to lead their unit. This will be an interesting and close race for the division crown, but I pick the Titans; with the Jaguars and Colts not expected to contend much and the Houston Texans still facing a problem finding a solid franchise quarterback, it’s a shoo-in.