Best team in the AFC on paper? Not quite. I'd still give the nod to New England until Brady retires. Denver is right behind them. Kansas City and Pittsburgh as well. Baltimore and Cincinnatti are better on paper. Injuries hurt them last year. Not lack of talent.

 

I am not saying we shouldn't be excited. Because we should be. Our team is still young. And our fans need to realize that. 2016 SHOULD be the next step in the right direction. I don't expect us to be world beaters by any means but I could live with seeing us as the 2015 version of the Jets in 2016. Basically meaning we're in contention for a play-off spot all the way through week 17. We will need some luck to get in this year.

 

Here is what you want to see though. You want to see how well this team plays against OAK and MIN this year. These are both young teams just like us with similiar circumstances. I'd like to see us beat those teams. Then I want to see how well this team can hoid up against a Superbowl caliber defense like Denver. And lastly, I want to see this team travel out West to San Diego and walk out of there with a win for once.

 

I think 8 - 8 is reasonable. Anything above .500 and we've overachieved as a young football on offense and even younger on defense.

 

Anything less than .500 and Gus Bradley must be released. Caldwell will have to figure out the right man for the job this time. Personnel wise he deserves to stay though.

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