The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: AP/David Kohl Carson Palmer hopes to overcome a season ending surgery that occured last season. It's lingering effects could play a role in his performance this season, but according to Mike Barrett, he'll be the same pro-bowl quarterback. Will your favorite team win the Superbowl? Email Mike Barrett your thoughts. He might just give you a piece of his mind. If your lucky.

With Week One in the books, Carson Palmer is saying "what knee injury", the Jets are celebrating the only time they will have a winning record this season, and the Baltimore Ravens defense looks absolutely terrifying.

So what does this mean for the AFC and their fans? A season that promises to be very competitive and is wide open for anyone to take it.

This expert, unlike my counterpart Pat Pickens, believes the AFC will continue to dominate the NFL and make it five championships in six years. The only problem is, which AFC team will have the pleasure of representing their league this January?

Let's start with the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers battled back against a tough Miami Dolphins team without star quarterback Ben Rothliesberger, proving why many are picking them to repeat as champions.

Peyton Manning proved who is the better player amongst the Manning family after defeating little brother Eli and his New York Giant 26-21. However, the lack of a proven running game will keep the Colts from the big dance once again.

Look for this year's MVP LaDanian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers to make it an interesting race in the AFC West this year and beat out the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Larry Johnson will not break 2000 yards for the Chiefs and will feel the loss of all pro full back Tony Richardson and some key starters from last years offensive line.

The East will be just as competitive between the aforementioned Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. The Patriots will be tough to beat with star quarterback Tom Brady and mastermind head coach Bill bellicheck, yet since the trade of Deion Branch to the Seahawks is going to have Tom Brady searching for offensive weapons all season, the door will be wide open for the new look Dolphins to capture the AFC east crown.

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