Manning will be ready when Broncos veterans report Thursday. NFL fans also are eager for action as camps open across the NFL this week.
On Monday, we examined story lines involving NFC teams, including the Super Bowl champion New York Giants and their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Here are AFC fact-fiction statements to debate as the league readies for another season.
Fact or Fiction
Peyton Manning will lead the Broncos back to the playoffs â€" fact
Betting against Manning making the playoffs is never a smart move. One must wonder about his durability after so many neck procedures. But Manning should remain extremely difficult to sack because he anticipates pressure and gets rid of the football so quickly. That increases his chances of staying healthy, and makes the Broncos the team to beat in the AFC West.
The Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow quarterback combo will work â€" fiction
This is controversy guaranteed. Sanchez has never been consistent, even during the two seasons he helped the New York Jets reach the AFC Championship Game. Now when he struggles, the cries for Tebow to become the starter will be deafening. Of all the places to try this, New York might be the worst, because of the media scrutiny it will receive. Get ready for a Jets mess.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley is under the microscope â€" fact
Not that Haley is in danger of losing his job, but he will face heavy scrutiny. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and former coordinator Bruce Arians were close. Haley is an emotional coach, and Roethlisberger is no shrinking violet. For a Super Bowl contender with a potent offense, changing coordinators was a risky move. If the change does not pay dividends, Haley is certain to face heat.
The San Diego Chargers' Super Bowl window has closed â€" fact
They haven't made the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, and haven't won a playoff game since 2009. Even if Philip Rivers has a bounce-back year and Ryan Mathews becomes an elite running back, the Chargers' defense is not good enough for them to emerge as AFC champs.
Maurice Jones-Drew will repeat as NFL rushing champion â€" fiction
Jones-Drew is likely to be a training camp holdout because of a contract dispute. It could be a long standoff.
Jones-Drew has two years left on his deal, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty of leverage. They won five games with Jones-Drew last season, and new coach Mike Mularkey probably wants an offense less dependent on his feature back. Mularkey could trot out an improved passing game if quarterback Blaine Gabbert and talented rookie receiver Justin Blackmon can handle it.
The Jaguars are rebuilding and don't want to tie up more salary in a 27-year-old running back, not even one as good as Jones-Drew. None of this sounds like the best setting for Jones-Drew to win another rushing title.
The Houston Texans should waltz to another AFC South title â€" fact
Who's going to challenge them? Certainly not the Jaguars or Colts. The Tennessee Titans would be the one possibility. But winning the division would be a major jump for them, especially if Jake Locker starts at quarterback and endures the mandatory growing pains.
After waiting years for the Texans' first playoff berth, Houston fans can expect their team to go back.
The AFC West is the NFL's most unpredictable division â€" fact
One could make a legitimate argument for any of the four teams to finish first. The Broncos (2011), Kansas City Chiefs (2010) and Chargers (2009) won the division the past three seasons. If Darren McFadden stays healthy the Oakland Raiders can't be totally written off, either.
No way the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs, despite their improvement â€" fiction
The Bills could be an AFC sleeper. Dethroning the New England Patriots in the AFC East doesn't look likely, but a wild-card spot isn't out of the question. The addition of Mario Williams in free agency created the kind of buzz heading into training camp that the Bills haven't been had recently.
However, so much of their fate depends on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who must prove his late-season slump was an aberration.
Parity abounds in the AFC â€" fiction
Only three conference teams reached the Super Bowl in the past nine seasons â€" Patriots, Steelers and Colts. The Texans and Baltimore Ravens think they can change that. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady disagree.
Expect Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to have a huge season â€" fact
With his speed and catching passes from Manning, Thomas could double last season's output of 551 receiving yards. One could almost picture Thomas doing back flips when Manning signed with the Broncos. Manning and Thomas be spending a lot of time together at training camp, as Thomas looks like a star in the making. -- This article originally appeared on SportingNews.com
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