AFC team-by-team capsules

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

Coach: Gary Kubiak (fourth year, 22-26).

Key additions: CB Deltha O'Neal, LB Rosevelt Colvin, DT Shaun Cody, QB Rex Grossman, LB Cato June, QB Dan Orlovsky, DE Antonio Smith.

Key losses: SS C.C. Brown, TE Mark Bruener, S Will Demps, CB DeMarcus Faggins, LB Morlon Greenwood, QB Sage Rosenfels, OT Ephraim Salaam.

Of note: Andre Johnson led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards in 2008.

Outlook: The Texans have a great chance to get off to a fast start. Their first four opponents: Jets, Titans, Jaguars, Raiders.

Last playoff appearance: None.

Indianapolis Colts

Coach: Jim Caldwell (first year).

Key additions: DT Ed Johnson; LB Adam Seward.

Key losses: WR Marvin Harrison, CB Keiwan Ratliff, DT Darrell Reid, RB Dominic Rhodes, P Hunter Smith, DE Josh Thomas.

Of note: Jim Caldwell has not been a head coach since a 26-63 stint as Wake Forest's coach from 1993 to 2000.

Outlook: The Colts have a rare problem — they score too fast. The Colts need to improve their running game. The defense stays on the field far too long. An improved running game would keep the defense fresh for the playoffs.

Last playoff appearance: 2008.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Coach: Jack Del Rio (seventh year, 50-46).

Key additions: S Sean Considine, WR Torry Holt, OT Tra Thomas. WR Ernest Wilford.

Key losses: OT Khalif Barnes, DB Drayton Florence, WR Matt Jones, LB Mike Peterson, WR Jerry Porter, RB Fred Taylor, WR Reggie Williams.

Of note: Maurice Jones-Drew led all running backs in receiving yards (565) and was second in receptions (62).

Outlook: Jones-Drew was given a big contract, but is he too small to be an every-down back? The receivers lack a game-breaker, and QB David Garrard has had one great and one bad season.

Last playoff appearance: 2007.

Tennessee Titans

Coach: Jeff Fisher (16th year, 128-102).

Key additions: CB DeMarcus Faggins, OT Jovan Haye, WR Mark Jones, QB Patrick Ramsey, WR Nate Washington

Key losses: CB Chris Carr, DT Albert Haynesworth, WR Brandon Jones, CB Eric King, OT Daniel Loper, QB Chris Simms.

Of note: Chris Johnson is the ultimate home run threat as a running back.

Outlook: After a 13-3 performance, there are plenty of questions. How will the defensive line play without anchor Albert Haynesworth? Can receiver Kenny Britt take the pressure off the running game?

Last playoff appearance: 2008.

AFC EAST

Miami Dolphins

Coach: Tony Sparano (second year, 11-5)

Key additions: LB Cameron Wake, S Gibril Wilson, G/C Joe Berger, C Jake Grove, DT Tony McDaniel, LB Jason Taylor, S Tyrone Culver,

Key losses: C Samson Satele, OL Ikechuku Ndukwe, OL Andy Alleman.

Of note: The Dolphins used the Wildcat formation on 12 percent of their offensive plays, the most in the NFL.

Outlook: The Dolphins have the NFL's toughest schedule, with games against seven playoff teams from last season. The Dolphins could be an improved team with a worse record.

Last playoff appearance: 2008.

Buffalo Bills

Coach: Dick Jauron (fourth year, 21-27).

Key additions: OL Seth McKinney, RB Dominic Rhodes, WR Terrell Owens.

Key losses: TE Robert Royal, OT Jason Peters, J.P. Losman.

Of note: Though most fans are focused on the receiving threat of Owens and Lee Evans, it's the special teams that could be the biggest threat. Roscoe Parrish averaged 15.3 yards per punt return, and Leodis McKelvin averaged 28.2 yards per kickoff return.

Outlook: The Bills will play their first three games without leading rusher Marshawn Lynch, who was suspended for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Last playoff appearance: 1999.

New England Patriots

Coach: Bill Belichick (10th year, 116-45)

Key additions: RB Fred Taylor, WR Joey Galloway, CB Shawn Springs, DE Derrick Burgess, QB Andrew Walter, TE Alex Smith, WR Greg Lewis.

Key losses: QB Matt Cassel, LB Rosevelt Colvin, S Rodney Harrison, DB Ellis Hobbs, LB Matt Vrabel.

Of note: The Patriots might have a group of unheralded backups behind quarterback Tom Brady, but they never invest high picks at the position.

Outlook: With a healthy Brady and a motivated Fred Taylor, the offense will soar.

Last playoff appearance: 2007.

New York Jets

Coach: Rex Ryan (first year).

Key additions: DE Marques Douglas, DT Howard Green, LB Larry Izzo, S Jim Leonhard, LB Bart Scott, CB Lito Sheppard, CB Don Strickland.

Key losses: TE Chris Baker, LB Eric Barton, LB David Bowens, DE Kenyon Coleman; WR Laveranues Coles, S Abram Elam, QB Brett Favre, CB Ty Law, K Mike Nugent.

Of note: Leon Washington is a true X-factor. He's in a crowded backfield again, but makes the most of his opportunities.

Outlook: The offense has a strong ground game, but will have to endure the growing pains of starting rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

Last playoff appearance: 2006.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

Coach: John Harbaugh (second year, 11-5).

Key additions: QB John Beck, TE L.J. Smith, C Matt Birk.

Key losses: QB Kyle Boller, OT Willie Anderson, C Jason Brown, CB Chris McAlister, LB Bart Scott, K Matt Stover.

Of note: Kicker Matt Stover, who was released in the offseason, was the last player remaining who moved with the Ravens from Cleveland.

Outlook: The Ravens made it to the AFC Championship Game, but they still need to develop receiving threats to complement quarterback Joe Flacco and a stout-but-aging defense.

Last playoff appearance: 2008.

Cincinnati Bengals

Coach: Marvin Lewis (seventh year, 46-49-1).

Key additions: WR Laveranues Coles, DT Tank Johnson, RB Brian Leonard, QB J.T. O'Sullivan, S Roy Williams.

Key losses: OT Stacy Andrews, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, S Dexter Jackson, OT Levi Jones, RB Chris Perry

Of note: With T.J. Houshmandzadeh gone, it's important for Chad Ochocinco, who averaged just 10.2 yards per catch in 2008, to have a bounce-back season.

Outlook: With a healthy Carson Palmer and the drafting of Andre Smith and Rey Maualuga, the Bengals should improve. Is Cedric Benson the answer at running back?

Last playoff appearance: 2005.

Cleveland Browns

Coach: Eric Mangini (first year).

Key additions: LB Eric Barton, LB David Bowens, DE Kenyon Coleman, S Abram Elam, WR David Patten, TE Robert Royal, G Floyd Womack.

Key losses: LB Andra Davis, S Sean Jones, WR Joe Jurevicius, Willie McGinest, TE Kellen Winslow.

Of note: The Browns have made the playoffs once the past 10 years. Only the Bengals, Bills and Lions can match such futility. Expansion Houston has not made the playoffs.

Outlook: It might not matter who the starting quarterback is (Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn) if the receivers don't step up.

Last playoff appearance: 2002.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Coach: Mike Tomlin (third year, 22-10).

Key additions: P Dirk Johnson, WR Shaun McDonald, CB Keiwan Ratliff.

Key losses: P Mitch Berger, LB Larry Foote, QB Byron Leftwich, CB Bryant McFadden, G Kendall Simmons, S Anthony Smith, OT Marvel Smith, WR Nate Washington.

Of note: Look for Rashard Mendenhall to make a real impact this season in the running game. He's the kind of power runner the Steelers need to make the offense complete.

Outlook: A return to the playoffs is likely unless a porous O-line can't keep Ben Roethlisberger (sacked 46 times) upright.

Last playoff appearance: 2008.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

Coach: Josh McDaniels (first year).

Key additions: RB Correll Buckhalter, LB Andra Davis, S Brian Dawkins, DT Ronnie Fields, WR Jabar Gaffney, CB Andre' Goodman, S Renaldo Hill, RB LaMont Jordan, QB Kyle Orton, Chris Simms.

Key losses: CB Dre' Bly, QB Jay Cutler, DE Ebenezer Ekuban, S Marquand Manuel, DE Dewayne Robertson.

Of note: The Broncos recorded only 26 sacks and six interceptions in 2008 and gave up an average of 28 points per game.

Outlook: Denver used to plug in any back and gain 1,000 yards, but Mike Shanahan and his zone-blocking scheme are gone.

Last playoff appearance: 2005.

Kansas City Chiefs

Coach: Todd Haley (first year).

Key additions: LB Monty Beisel, QB Matt Cassel, WR Bobby Engram, G Mike Goff, LB Zach Thomas, LB Mike Vrabel, OL Andy Alleman, OL Ikechuku Ndukwe, WR Amani Toomer.

Key losses: LB Donnie Edwards, TE Tony Gonzalez, QB Damon Huard, G Adrian Jones, CB Patrick Surtain.

Of note: Dwayne Bowe had 86 receptions for 1,022 yards with Tyler Thigpen at quarterback. Imagine the numbers he can put up with Matt Cassel aboard.

Outlook: The Chiefs are starting from scratch. Don't expect miracles.

Last playoff appearance: 2006.

Oakland Raiders

Coach: Tom Cable (second year, 4-8).

Key additions: OT Khalif Barnes, LB, Greg Ellis, QB Jeff Garcia, OT Erik Pearson, C Samson Setele.

Key losses: S Rashad Baker, WR Ronald Curry, C Jake Grove, OT Kwame Harris, S Gibril Wilson

Of note: Zach Miller finished et should have more than one receiving touchdown.

Outlook: Veteran Jeff Garcia gives them the best chance to win now, but former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell could be the answer for years to come.

Last playoff appearance: 2002.

San Diego Chargers

Coach: Norv Turner (Second year, 19-13).

Key additions: LB Kevin Burnett.

Key losses: G Mike Goff, LB Marques Harris, C Jeremy Newberry, DE Igor Olshansky.

Of note: Kicker Nate Kaeding is the second-most accurate in the history of the NFL. He has made 86.1 percent of his field-goal attempts in his career.

Outlook: If healthy, San Diego is one of the most talented teams in the league. But team leaders Shawne Merriman and LaDainian Tomlinson are coming off injury-plagued seasons. Can they put it together to lead San Diego into the playoffs?

Last playoff appearance: 2008.