AFC PREVIEW

The Indianapolis Colts, who were an end-zone miracle away from the Super Bowl last season, might not need one this time. The Pittsburgh Steelers will miss Neil O’Donnell more than they thought, but even O’Donnell and Keyshawn Johnson won’t help the New York Jets. The regular-season dogfight will be in the AFC West, where four teams could make the playoffs.

WEST

Kansas City Chiefs

Last season: 13-3, advanced to AFC semifinals.

This season: 10-6, advance to AFC championship game.

KEY QUESTIONS: Did quarterback Steve Bono’s 21 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions last season amount to a fluke? Can Marcus Allen continue to be the team’s top rusher? Is this Coach Marty Schottenheimer’s year to finally get to the Super Bowl?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver-kick returner Tamarick Vanover--After flashing his return ability last season, he will be counted on to do more as a receiver. Running back Greg Hill--Future Hall of Famer Allen may still be good, but Hill should be the starter. Kicker Pete Stoyanovich--With such a conservative offense, he has to be reliable.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: The pressure of living up to such high expectations makes a successful regular season secondary.

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San Diego Chargers

Last season: 9-7, advanced to AFC semifinals.

This season: 10-6, advance to AFC semifinals.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will the offense have a running game with Aaron Hayden and Terrell Fletcher as the top backs? Can defensive end Marco Coleman replace Leslie O’Neal?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Quarterback Stan Humphries--After leading the team to the Super Bowl two years ago, he needs to play a bigger role this season. Linebacker Kurt Gouveia--A solid player with Philadelphia, he will be counted on to jam the middle. Cornerback Darrien Gordon--Two years ago, he was the team’s best cornerback but sat out last season because of a torn rotator cuff.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: With inconsistent Tony Martin as the leader, this receiving corps does not scare opposing defensive coordinators.

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Seattle Seahawks

Last season: 8-8.

This season: 9-7, advance to AFC first round.

KEY QUESTIONS: Was last season’s 6-2 finish an indicator of things to come this season? Do the Seahawks still look to quarterback Rick Mirer as their leader? Will Mirer throw for more than 300 yards in a game this season for the first time?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver Brian Blades--Has to step up and play to the level of fellow receiver Joey Galloway. Defensive tackle Glenn Montgomery--Could have a huge year playing next to Cortez Kennedy. Free safety Darryl Williams--Left Cincinnati to replace Eugene Robinson, who now is with Green Bay.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: The AFC West has been rough the last five seasons for the Seahawks, who have a 9-31 record against division rivals.

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Denver Broncos

Last season: 8-8.

This season: 9-7, advance to AFC first round.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can the defense stop key division opponents? Is this quarterback John Elway’s last hurrah? Can running back Terrell Davis duplicate last season’s 1,117-yard effort?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver Anthony Miller--Bounced back from a tough 1994 season with 14 touchdown receptions in a Pro Bowl season. Cornerbacks Lionel Washington and Ray Crockett--Both will be isolated in man-to-man coverage in their defense’s blitzing style. Middle linebacker Allen Aldridge--An unproven force in the middle who might struggle against AFC West rushing.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: Thanks to the lack of speed in the secondary, the defense intercepted a league-low eight passes last season.

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Oakland Raiders

Last season: 8-8.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will two newcomers from Dallas, cornerback Larry Brown and defensive tackle Russell Maryland, make a difference in an out-of-shape defense? How many games will quarterback Jeff Hostetler sit out because of injury? Will Harvey Williams, Napoleon Kaufman or Joe Aska lead the team in rushing?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Defensive end Pat Swilling--For the defense to be effective, he must be a pass-rushing force. Free safety Albert Lewis--His move from cornerback might have extended his career. Tight end Rickey Dudley--This talented rookie is counted on to be able to block and make tough catches

ACHILLES’ HEEL: The sudden resignation of defensive coordinator John Fox before the start of the season raises more questions about owner Al Davis’ role with the team.

CENTRAL

Baltimore Ravens

Last season: 5-11 as Cleveland Browns.

This season: 9-7, advance to AFC semifinals.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will the move from Cleveland affect the team’s play? Will Coach Ted Marchibroda feature a controlled passing offense or a power rushing attack?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde--The Ravens can win the division title if he has a big season. Wide receiver Derrick Alexander--His emergence made Andre Rison expendable. Linebacker Ray Lewis--Now a starter after playing backup to since-departed Carl Banks.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A running game, featuring an aging Earnest Byner, that lacks breakaway speed.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Last season: 11-5, advanced to Super Bowl.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can quarterback Jim Miller really be expected to lead this team into the playoffs? Will newcomer running back Jerome Bettis return to Pro Bowl form? Can the defense carry the team if the offense struggles?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Quarterback-wide receiver Kordell Stewart--Has to continue to be effective from various positions in a dull offense. Wide receiver Yancey Thigpen--Needs to prove that he is the class of a solid receiving corps. Linebacker Jason Gildon--Has to replace flashy Kevin Greene, who now is with Carolina.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: Quarterback Neil O’Donnell might not have been the next coming of Joe Namath but he was efficient in the Steelers’ ball-control offense and will be missed.

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Cincinnati Bengals

Last season: 7-9.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will quarterback Jeff Blake continue to tear secondaries apart with his deep passing skills? Can a weak offensive line produce the first Bengal rusher since 1992 to gain more than 100 yards in a game? Will free-agent cornerbacks Ashley Ambrose and Jimmy Spencer boost the secondary?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Ki-Jana Carter--Former No. 1 pick, who sat out all of his rookie season with a knee injury, must take some heat off Blake. Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson--This may be the breakout season Coach David Shula has been waiting for from “Big Daddy.” Wide receiver Darnay Scott--Speedy deep threat has become Blake’s favorite.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A defense that last season gave up 6,349 yards, the fourth worst in league history.

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Houston Oilers

Last season: 7-9.

This season: 6-10.

KEY QUESTIONS: Is quarterback Steve McNair ready to be a full-time starter? Can wide receiver Chris Sanders replace Haywood Jeffires as the team’s go-to guy? If they make the playoffs will they be the Houston or Nashville Oilers?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Eddie George--Big things are expected from the Heisman-winning rookie. Middle linebacker Al Smith--Leader of the defense sat out most of last season because of a knee injury. Wide receiver Willie Davis--A free agent from Kansas City, he could excel with more passes thrown his way.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A pass rush that recorded only 30 sacks last season. Ends Anthony Cook and Henry Ford tied for the team lead with 4 1/2 each.

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Last season: 4-12.

This season: 4-12.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can wide receiver Andre Rison cope under Coach Tom Coughlin’s disciplined style? Is running back Natrone Means the next Barry Foster? Can the defense produce more than its league-low 17 sacks of last season.

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Quarterback Mark Brunnell--A talented young passer, he threw 15 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. Running back James Stewart--If Means struggles, this second-year back will get the carries. Defensive tackle John Jurkovic--The free agent from Green Bay will help the defensive front.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A young offensive line that gave up the most sacks in the league last season, 57.

EAST

Indianapolis Colts

Last season: 9-7, advanced to AFC championship game.

This season: 11-5, advance to Super Bowl.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can quarterback Jim Harbaugh top last year’s Pro Bowl season? Will newcomers Troy Auzenne and Jay Leeuwenburg boost a mediocre offensive line? Is running back Marshall Faulk on a downslide?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Linebacker Quentin Coryatt--He may be the AFC’s dominant defender. Cornerback Eugene Daniel--Offenses throw to his side because the other cornerback is talented Ray Buchanan. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison--Huge things are expected from this Syracuse rookie.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A defense that sacked opposing quarterbacks only 29 times last season.

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Miami Dolphins

Last season: 9-7.

This season: 9-7.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can Coach Jimmy Johnson take the Dolphins to the Super Bowl in his first season? Will the offense have a running game to complement quarterback Dan Marino? Can the secondary make enough plays to put the offense back on the field?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver O.J. McDuffie--With Irving Fryar now in Philadelphia, he becomes Marino’s main target. Linebackers LaCurtis Jones and Zach Thomas--The rookies will be counted on to lead a defense in transition. Cornerback Terrell Buckley--This may be his last chance to show he can play up to his potential.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A rushing game that has not produced a 1,000-yard rusher since Delvin Williams in 1978.

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Buffalo Bills

Last season: 10-6, advanced to AFC semifinals.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can quarterback Jim Kelly avoid injury and lead the Bills into the playoffs? Can linebacker Bryce Paup duplicate last season’s defensive-player-of-the-year season? Will free-agent middle linebacker Chris Spielman add the spark needed on defense?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Thurman Thomas--The versatile back is going for his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season; Wide receivers Quinn Early, Andre Reed and Eric Moulds--With Kelly’s mobility gone, Buffalo receivers must be able to get open fast. Nose tackle Ted Washington--Coming off a solid season working next to defensive end Bruce Smith.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: Age and injuries to key players could quickly turn the Bills from contenders to a rebuilding team.

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New England Patriots

Last season: 6-10.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will Coach Bill Parcells make it through the season? Will quarterback Drew Bledsoe bounce back after throwing 16 interceptions last season? Will rookie wide receiver Terry Glenn get out of Parcells’ doghouse?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Curtis Martin--He will be asked to carry an offense that relies on the first-down run. Defensive end Willie McGinest--He has to show better ability to get to the quarterback on passing downs. Free safety Willie Clay--A free agent from Detroit, he needs to step in as leader of the secondary.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: An offense that struggled to score touchdowns inside opponents’ 20-yard line in finishing 29th in the league last season.

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New York Jets

Last season: 3-13.

This season: 3-13.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will Coach Rich Kotite make it to the end of the season? Will the offense have a rushing attack with Adrian Murrell as its top back? Is defensive end Hugh Douglas a future Pro Bowl player?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson--Great expectations for the No. 1 pick from USC. Quarterback Neil O’Donnell--Has to lead a team that scored only 22 touchdowns last season. Middle linebacker Marvin Jones--The defense needs him to stay injury-free for an entire season.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A rushing attack that scored only two touchdowns behind a weak offensive line.