Your 2020 NFL Team Guide... AFC (American Football Conference)

Are you finally looking to take the leap into full football fandom? While it wouldn't be right for us to pick your team for you, we can give you some basic information to serve as a foundation for your new found football passion. From stadiums and head coaches to the need to know vocabulary for each team, we are ready to help! Here is a brief look into each team on the most basic and need to know level.

Let's get started with the AFC North...

Baltimore Ravens

M&T Bank Stadium

Head Coach: John Harbaugh

Quarterback: Lamar Jackson

Team Nickname: Purple Pain

Fanbase Name: Ravens Flock

Names to Know

Offense:

Lamar Jackson- QB

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown- WR

Mark Andrews- TE

Mark Ingram- RB

Defense:

Calais Campbell- DE

Storylines: Lamar is the reigning MVP of the NFL and the Ravens are a top favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LV. With the John Harbaugh as the head coach, who was named last season's Coach of the Year, the Ravens have all the potential in the world to make it to the big game next February.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Heinz Field

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin

Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger

Team Nickname: The Steel Curtain

Fanbase Name: Steeler Nation

Names to Know

Offense:

Ben “Big Ben” Roethlisberger- QB

JuJu Smith-Schuster- WR

James Conner- RB

Defense:

T.J. Watt- OLB

Minkah Fitzpatrick- FS

Storylines: Big Ben was injured all last season, so the Steelers are hoping to get back to their old winning ways with him back in the starting quarterback role. With a core of younger players on their offense, including Smith-Schuster and Conner, as well as a defense that is poised to be one of the top units this season, the Steelers are showing a lot of promise heading into the season.

Cleveland Browns

FirstEnergy Stadium

Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski

Quarterback: Baker Mayfield

Fanbase Name: Dawg Pound, Brown Backers

Names to Know

Offense:

Baker Mayfield- QB

Odell Beckham Jr. “OBJ”- WR

Jarvis Landry- WR

Nick Chubb- RB

Defense:

Myles Garrett- DE

Storylines: Last season, Myles Garrett had an in-game scuffle with Steelers Quarterback Mason Rudolph that went viral and got Garrett suspended indefinitely. In the offseason, Garrett was told he could play this season and signed a huge contract, making him the highest paid Defensive End in the league.

Cincinnati Bengals

Paul Brown Stadium

Head Coach: Zac Taylor

Quarterback: Joe Burrow

Fanbase Name: Who Dey, Seize the Dey

Names to Know

Offense:

Joe Burrow- QB

Joe Mixon- RB

A.J. Green- WR

Defense:

Geno Atkins- DT

Vonn Bell-SS

Storylines: The Bengals had the number one pick in this years NFL Draft and used it to pick up Joe Burrow, the current Heisman Trophy winner, who led his team to a National title at LSU this past season. Burrow is native to Ohio and is excited to prove himself to his home state.

Moving on to the AFC South...

Tennessee Titans

Nissan Stadium

Head Coach: Mike Vrabel

Quarterback: Ryan Tannehill

Fanbase Name: Flame Heads

Names to Know

Offense:

Ryan Tannehill- QB

Derrick Henry- RB

Defense:

Malcolm Butler- CB

Jadeveon Clowney- DE

Storylines: The Tennessee Titans shocked America when the beat the AFC Champion favorites Baltimore Ravens in last years playoffs, but fell just short of making it to the Super Bowl. Ryan Tannehill also notched Comeback Player of the Year with an amazing playoff performance. They also have Derrick Henry, one of last years most successful running backs. At 6’3” and 247 pounds, Henry is known for his unstoppable runs, harnessing his the sheer power and strength to run through opposing defenses. The Titans also picked up coveted pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to add to their defensive arsenal.

Houston Texans

NRG Stadium

Head Coach: Bill O’Brien

Quarterback: Deshaun Watson

Team Nickname: H-Town

Names to Know

Offense:

Deshaun Watson- QB

Brandin Cooks-WR

Will Fuller V- WR

Defense:

J.J. Watt- DE

Michael Thomas-FS

Storylines: This offseason, the Texans traded away DeAndre Hopkins, one of the best wide receivers in the league, which left a lot of people scratching their heads. This trade did land them David Johnson, a running back that some would say is past his prime. They also gave QB Deshaun Watson a big pay day and contract extension.

Indianapolis Colts

Lucas Oil Stadium

Head Coach: Frank Reich

Quarterback: Phillip Rivers

Team Nickname: Indy

Names to Know

Offense:

Phillip Rivers- QB

Marlon Mack- RB

T.Y. Hilton- WR

Defense:

DeForest Buckner- DT

Xavier Rhodes- CB

Storylines: With the pick up of both veteran Quarterback Phillip Rivers and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the Colts are looking to get back to their winning ways. After the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck, the quarterback that they viewed as their future, the Colts had to unexpectedly create a new game plan. With a veteran player like Rivers as their starter, the Colts hope to give their division a run for their money.

Jacksonville Jaguars

TIAA Bank Field

Head Coach: Doug Marrone

Quarterback: Gardner Minshew

Team Nickname: Jags

Fanbase Nickname: DUUUVAL

Names to Know

Offense:

Gardner Minshew- QB

DJ Chark Jr.-WR

Dede Westbrook- WR

Defense:

Josh Allen- DE

Myles Jack-WLB

Storylines: After going winning 6 out of 16 games last year with rookie QB Gardner Minshew behind center for the latter half, the Jaguars are looking to find some consistency with Minshew starting the whole season this time around. After building rapport with some of his offensive weapons last year, there are hight expectations for success this season.

Next up..... the AFC East

Buffalo Bills

New Era Field aka “The Cap”

Head Coach: Sean McDermott

Quarterback: Josh Allen

Fanbase Name: Bills Mafia

Names to Know

Offense:

Josh Allen- QB

Devin Singletary- RB

Stefan Diggs-WR

Cole Beasley-WR

Defense:

Quinton Jefferson-DT

Tre’Davious White-CB

Stephen Hauschka-K

Storylines: The Bills had a great season last year and made playoffs for the second time in three years. This year, the AFC East is theirs for the taking and they are hoping to capitalize on their talent and repeat a playoff appearance.

New England Patriots

Gillette Stadium

Head Coach: Bill Belichick

Quarterback: Cam Newton

Team Nickname: Pats

Names to Know

Offense:

Cam Newton-QB

Julian Edelman-WR

Sony Michel-RB

Mohamed Sanu-WR

Defense:

Dont’a Hightower- ILB

Stephon Gilmore- CB

Devin McCourty- FS

Jason McCourty-CB

Storylines: This being the Patriots first season without quarterback Tom Brady in the last 20 seasons, the Patriots are looking to prove that they don’t need TB to win games. After signing former league MVP and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the team is looking to continue their history of winning.

Miami Dolphins

Hard Rock Stadium

Head Coach: Brian Flores

Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa

Team Nickname: The Fins

Fanbase Chant: Fins Up

Names to Know

Offense:

Tua Tagovailoa-QB

Ryan Fitzpatrick- QB

Matt Breida- RB

DeVante Parker- WR

Defense:

Raekwon Davis-DT

Kyle Van Noy- OLB

Storylines: With the second pick in this years NFL draft, Miami selected Tua Tagovailoa, one of last years best college quarterbacks. After making some key offseason pick up, the Dolphins are hoping this is their year to break through and get some wins.

New York Jets

MetLife Stadium

Head Coach: Adam Gase

Quarterback: Sam Darnold

Team Nickname: Gang Green

Fanbase Lingo: #TakeFlight, J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS

Names to Know

Offense:

Sam Darnold- QB

Le’Veon Bell- RB

Frank Gore- RB

Breshard Perriman- WR

Jamison Crowder- WR

Denzel Mims- WR

Defense:

Quinnen Williams-DT

C.J. Mosley- LB

Storylines: After losing their star safety, Jamal Adams, this offseason, the Jets are hoping for quarterback Sam Darnold to show a bit more consistency this season. After missing 3 games last season with a foot injury and a bout with mononucleosis, Darnold is showing promise to have a breakout season.

Last but not least, the AFC West...

Kansas City Chiefs

Arrowhead Stadium

Head Coach: Andy Reid

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes

Team Nickname: KC

Fanbase Name: Chiefs Kingdom, Sea of Red

Names to Know

Offense:

Patrick Mahomes- QB

Travis Kelce- TE

Tyreek Hill- WR

Sammy Watkins- WR

Mecole Hardman- WR

Defense:

Tyrann Mathieu- SS

Frank Clark- DE

Storylines: The Kansas City Chiefs ended last season with a Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers and had an off season filled with huge headlines. Both quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce got huge contract extensions and the team was able to keep their core that helped them win last season. KC is looking to make a run for a repeat and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl for the second year in a row.

Las Vegas Raiders

Allegiant Stadium

Head Coach: Jon Gruden

Quarterback: Derek Carr

Team Nicknames: The Silver and Black

Fanbase Name: The Black Hole, Raider Nation

Names to Know

Offense:

Derek Carr- QB

Josh Jacobs-RB

Henry Ruggs III- WR

Jason Witten- TE

Darren Waller-TE

Defense:

Maxx Crosby- DE

Cory Littleton-OLB

Damarious Randall- FS

Johnathan Abram-SS

Storylines: Formerly known as the Oakland Raiders, the team has once again moved cities to Las Vegas. This will be their first season in their new city and brand new stadium right off the Las Vegas strip. The team is hoping for some good luck during their inaugural season in Sin City.

Denver Broncos

Empower Field at Mile High aka "Mile High Stadium"

Head Coach: Vic Fangio

Quarterback: Drew Lock

Team Nickname: The Donkeys

Fanbase Name: Broncos Country

Names to Know

Offense:

Drew Lock-QB

Melvin Gordon III- RB

Phillip Lindsay- RB

Jerry Jeudy- WR

Courtland Sutton- WR

Noah Fant-TE

Defense:

Bradley Chubb- OLB

Von Miller-OLB

Kareem Jackson- SS

Brandon McManus-K

Storylines: With former quarterback John Elway as their General Manager, the Broncos had a promising draft to create a solid base to help this team get back to their winning ways. Two young names to look out for: Jerry Jeudy, one of the top wide receiver prospects in this years draft, and Drew Lock, a second year quarterback who has Bronco Fans feeling optimistic going into this season.

Los Angeles Chargers

SoFi Stadium

Head Coach: Anthony Lynn

Quarterback: Justin Herbert/Tyrod Taylor

Team Nickname: The Bolts

Fanbase Name: Bolts Fans, Bolt Up

Names to Know

Offense:

Justin Herbert-QB

Tyrod Taylor- QB

Austin Ekeler- RB

Hunter Henry- TE

Keenan Allen- WR

Mike Pouncey- C

Defense:

Joey Bosa- DE

Melvin Ingram III- OLB

Justin Jones- DT

Rayshawn Jenkins-S

Storylines: With veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor and Justin Herbert duking it out in Training Camp for the starting role, the Chargers have some great offensive weapons including running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Hunter Henry. With a promising core of wide receivers, the Chargers are hoping this is their year to make a run at a successful post season.