Every year in the NFL, there are unexpected teams which take everyone by surprise, players which come out of no where and generally 6 playoff teams get replaced every year. This year should be no different so let’s look at some of the things I am expecting to happen in 2010 within the AFC.

Ray Rice leads the AFC in all purpose yards-

You yeah, everyone is all hyped up to watch the Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson beat Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record. It’s not going to happen in 2010. In fact, I believe Johnson will struggle to get 1400 total rushing yards in 2010 and will miss time in 2010 with injuries. Johnson touched the ball far too many times last year and defenses now had an entire offseason to study his game and he will not repeat last year’s performance. Rice on the other hand only touched the ball 332 times and still collected 2041 total yards. Rice is having a stellar offseason and according to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun is now bench pressing 405 pounds and squatting over 500 pounds.

Oakland Raiders will go 8-8

The addition of former Washington Redskins QB Jason Campbell will make this team a contender in 2010. I’m not saying that the Oakland Raiders will make the playoffs this year, but they are going to be a vastly improved team. They already have athletic talent on the team at all positions on offense, but the addition of Campbell makes the Raiders a more complete team. Raiders TE Zach Miller will become a fantasy football star this year, you heard it here first.

The New England Patriots will finish third in the AFC East

The Patriots dynasty run has been winding down since 2007 and it continues again this season. WR Wes Welker might be at camp but he’ll be hampered with his agility for weeks. Randy Moss is in his final contract season. The Patriots have the oldest backfield in the league and who really is a serious pass rushing threat for the Pats this season? Mix in the two other division opponents which are on the rise upwards in the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins and you’ll see a Patriots team which struggles this year.

The Houston Texans finally make the playoffs

Yeah, yeah. We’ve been saying the Texans were on the brink for several years now, but I truly believe this will be the year. The addition of RB Ben Tate in the draft finally will give the Texans some much needed stability in the running game this year. The Texans have locked Andre Johnson into a long term deal and he’ll be happy. The defensive backs remain a concern for the Texans, but with Matt Schaub under center, they will put up enough points to earn a wildcard berth in 2010.

Ryan Matthews wins the Offensive Rookie of the Year

The San Diego Chargers are in a state of flux right now with three of their top players holding out, Shawne Merriman, Marcus McNeill and WR Vincent Jackson. The Chargers released RB LaDainian Tomlinson go in free agency, and replaced him with Fresno State rookie Ryan Matthews. Matthews has told reporters he grew up idolizing Tomlinson and now he replaces him. Chargers head coach Norv Turner has already said he wants to get the ball to Matthews a lot this season. Barring injury, Matthews is poised in the Chargers offense to be the rookie Offensive Player of the Year.