I admit it…I’m an American Idol fan.

Believe it or not I despise the audition shows that everyone else seems to love. I like the REAL competition which began this week with the elimination of four contestants on Thursday night. So, this is my attempt to preview the AI contestants by comparing one of them to each AFC team. I’m sure that this is going to have mass appeal as so many football fans are actively searching for American Idol opinions. Oh well, here goes nothing…

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (16-0) = Carly Smithson

Carly clearly seems to be the favorite at this point gaining way more coverage than any other contestant to this point…ie. all the media pimping of the Patriots as the greatest thing since sliced bread. I don’t like Carly, maybe it’s her evil look, maybe it’s the controversy surrounding her. Either way, whether I like it or not she’ll be in it at the end. I’m just rooting for an upset.

2. Buffalo Bills (7-9) = David Hernandez

David seems like a good singer, started the competition off well, but was soon forgotten by the end of the night. The only thing standing between him and becoming a contender is a little more personality…ie. the Bills need an identity that it hasn’t had at the QB position since Jim Kelly.

3. New York Jets (4-12) = Ramiele Malubay

She’s cute and little but very productive much like many of the Jets WR’s over the years. A little undersized but packing a wallop! She sang “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” which might be Eric Mangini’s theme song for he and Bill Belichick’s icy relationship.

4. Miami Dolphins (1-15) = Amy Davis

Amy has a modeling career that she’s been working on so she’s certainly a looker. The Dolphins always seem to be every little girl’s favorite team because dolphins are sooo cute, well, when it comes to substance (singing) she was a train wreck and the Dolphins stink.

 AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) = Syesha Mercado

Syesha looks very good, can really sing and seems to have the personality of a star. Much like the Steelers she carries with her a little history to back up her American Idol bid. Syesha was the best contender on a short lived (and cancelled after 2 episodes) singing competition called “The One: The Making of a Music Star“. She has also recently appeared in a Ford commercial. She actually doesn’t bring the hype that some of the others have gotten (Carly-Pats, David A-Chargers, Brooke-Colts) but I believe she’ll be in it at the end. And she’s my personal favorite.

2. Cleveland Browns (10-6) = Garrett Haley

He’s from Ohio; Cleveland’s from (in) Ohio. It’s a fluke he was even in the top 24; it’s a fluke that the Browns think they’re relevant again. That’s about where the comparisons end, except that I absolutely couldn’t stand him.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) = Kristy Lee Cook

She just looks like a star. Seems like from the moment we saw her we knew that she’d be a contender just based on her star qualities. But, then she sang, and although she was ok, she was very underwhelming, and underachieving. Yup, those are your Bengals, they look great on paper, but just can’t win consistently.

4. Baltimore Ravens (5-11) = Danny Noriega

From the moment we first saw Danny, he seemed like he could really have a chance, he was certainly different enough. But then he got sassy, his attitude came out and he seemed to fall apart. And, I also can’t stand him (Ravens) in the competition.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3) = Brooke White

I thought about picking Colton Berry for obvious reasons…but he’s not good. So, Brooke it is. She is nice, seems like the all-american girl, she’s clean cut and her values and “nice-girl” persona have been promoted heavily thus far. She’s clearly a contender and will be in the competition for a very long time, although I don’t think she’s immune to the big upset.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) = Jason Castro

He’s quiet and unassuming. Has actually only performed before American Idol just a handful of times so he’s got very little history and experience. He doesn’t seem to realize that he’s actually good and based on the fact that I don’t know a single Jags fan, i’m going to assume the good people of Jacksonville don’t realize they have a good team. But, given the chance…I think Jason might surprise some people and like the Jags, he’ll/they’ll rip your heart out.

3. Tennessee Titans (10-6) = Robbie Carrico

Robbie probably doesn’t belong in the top 12, but I think he’s going to get there at the expense of a better “singer”. RC comes with the “rocker” personality and carries a certain amount of “flash” (Vince Young). But ultimately I think his downfall will be the very basics, singing (see VY passing). Did you know that Robbie has a history with Britney, yes that Britney!

4. Houston Texans (8-8) = Alaina Whitaker

While this girl has been virtually unknown to this point, she can actually sing very well. She impressed me more than anyone in the first week. She’s very young, therefore she could be around for a long time, she has potential and could really surprise some people.

AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers (11-5) = David Archuleta

David has had success in the past (Star Search/SB XXIX, recent successful seasons) but that obviously didn’t propel him to national prominence. He is young and very promising, not to mention extremely popular (LT)…though he tends to innocently bumble around when not singing, in an “aw shucks” kind of way. Make no mistake about it, he’s a contender, but when it comes down to it, does he have enough to win it all? Oh, and he auditioned in SD.

2. Denver Broncos (7-9) = Michael Johns

Michael seems polished, solid and very consistent but as the oldest AI contestent, i’m not sure he has the mass appeal. The Broncos just seem old, and because of their consistency they never seem to fall completely off the radar. They’re too smart for that. As is Michael Johns.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) = David Cook

I got nothing here. David is decent, just not good enough. He has some star potential (Tony G, LJ) but he doesn’t seem to have “it”. Here’s the kicker: He’s from Missouri and so are the Chiefs (I think, or is it Kansas…).

4. Oakland Raiders (4-12) = Amanda Overmyer

This was by far the easiest pick of all. Throw this girl in the “Black Hole” and she’ll fit right in.

My apologies to those I couldn’t fit neatly into 16 AFC teams, Kady Malloy is the best of the ones I left off, if she performs like she did in week 1 she’ll be quickly gone, but if she “has fun” she could be around for a long time. The rest: Asia’h Epperson, Alexandre’a Lushington, Chikeize Eze (who went the way of Mandisa and lost his surname), Jason Yeager, Joanne Borgella and Luke Menard. Besides Kady and potentially Asia’h I think that only these contentant’s family and friends will remember that they were on American Idol this season.