Three Dark Horse AFC Teams For 2012

While the NFL season is not quite here yet, I got to thinking about some sleeper picks for this upcoming season. Here's a trifecta of AFC teams that could surprise the league in 2012.

1. Buffalo Bills
The Bills showed flashes of brilliance last season, but never could seem to stay consistent enough to make a legitimate playoff push. Buffalo's promising start ended with a disaster, losing eight of their final nine games. Most of Buffalo's struggles started on defense, which is why the mission this offseason was predictably focused around bolstering the pass rush and the secondary. Buffalo successfully did both, signing sack-master and former number one draft pick Mario Williams to a long term deal and snagging premier cornerback Stephon Gilmore in the first round of the draft. With a better defense, the focus shifts back to an offense with plenty of potential, but also an array of unanswered questions, starting with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. If Fitzpatrick is 'franchise quarterback' material, then the Bills may have a shot at surprising more than a few teams this fall. With Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller making up a dynamic backfield, Fitzpatrick and receiver Steve Johnson must find a way to establish a level of consistency in Buffalo rather than the feast or famine approach of 2011. There are good pieces in place, the ugly uniforms are long gone, and the Bills could be ready for their first playoff appearance since 2000.

2. Kanas City Chiefs
A year after winning the AFC Westin 2010, the Chiefs fell apart after an injury plagued campaign last season. But now that key players such as Eric Berry, Jamal Charles and Tony Moeaki return from injury, the Chiefs boast one of the best top to bottom rosters in the AFC. The strength of KC will start on defense where first round defensive tackle Dontari Poe joins a group of potential pro bowlers that feature Berry, Tamba Hali, Brandon Flowers and Derrick Johnson. If Kansas City can stay healthy defensively, they should be a force for their opponents. The big question that everyone wants answered swirls around quarterback Matt Cassel. If he can establish himself as the guy for the Chiefs, KC can not only take a shot at the division title, but perhaps even engineer a deep playoff run. If the Cassel can find his footing, and the rest of the team can stay healthy, the Chiefs could be the team to beat in the AFC West.

3. San Diego Chargers

San Diego has always fallen short of high expectations. Perhaps now that they're expectation are relatively low, the team could surprise the league this year. Yes, the Chargers lost superstar wide out Vincent Jackson in free agency, and yes, the defense is a middle of the pack squad. But make no mistakes, the Chargers have plenty of talent on their roster, starting with quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers can sling it, and despite an off year, he remains a premier NFL quarterback. The Chargers success, however, might begin and end with young tailback Ryan Mathews. Mathews has shown that he can be a terrific runner, but has lacked both consistency and ample opportunity. With the departure of Mike Tolbert, the backfield should be strictly Mathews' territory, and he has a massive opportunity to  take over as an top tier runner. Defensively, the Chargers are good, but unproven. If this defense can establish itself as a consistent group, San Diego will have a good chance to challenge for a wild card slot, or perhaps a division title.