AFC Preview: Will The Chiefs Repeat?

The AFC this year is haves and have-nots, where as many as nine teams could post ten wins or more.

Kansas City enters the season with concerns. All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones is unsigned and Travis Kelce may not play in the opener due to a hyperextended knee. At 33 with 12 playoff games in the last four years, Kelce's injury risk keeps going up.

The AFC this year is haves and have-nots, where as many as nine teams could post ten wins or more.

Years away

Indianapolis Colts: 3-14
No Jonathan Taylor, starting Anthony Richardson, a long first year for head coach Shane Steichen.

Houston Texans: 4-13
Rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans has good pieces on the roster but not enough of them.

Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
Jimmy Garoppolo, who can’t throw deep, paired with Davante Adams. This may be the final year for Josh McDaniels.

Stuck in the middle with you

Tennessee Titans: 7-10
They’ll be helped by a weak division but outside of it, they don’t look as competitive this year.

Denver Broncos: 7-10
Sean Payton took the Wal-Mart money over a Super Bowl run with the Chargers. And he’s already sick of Russ running for Mayor. Can Payton take the giant fork out of Wilson’s back? Doubtful. The question is when he pivots to Jarrett Stidham.

New England Patriots: 7-10
They are more talented than this, but the division is loaded.

Cleveland Browns: 8-9
See above.

Ten wins and no playoffs?

Los Angeles Chargers: 10-7
Are head coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore so woeful that they can keep Justin Herbert and a stacked team out of the playoffs? Yup. It’ll be close though.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7
Kenny Pickett has made the sophomore leap, he has good weapons and the defense is stout and deep.  A year away.

The return of AFC royalty

Baltimore Ravens: 11-6
No more Greg Roman, more weapons on offense for Lamar Jackson, but the defense is fading.

Miami Dolphins: 11-6
Can they keep Tua healthy? Mike McDaniel and Vic Fangio with this much talent are a threat.

The Final Five.

Buffalo Bills: 12-5
Buffalo has been ravaged by injury, particularly on defense. If they can keep Von Miller healthy they are a Super Bowl contender.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 12-5
Trevor Lawrence has already made the next step, but the Jags record is buoyed by a weak division. The AFC playoff gauntlet features the league’s top three quarterbacks. There is no margin for error.

Cincinnati Bengals: 12-5
The offense gets the ink with the league’s best tandem at receiver. The concern is if they have taken too many losses in free agency on defense.

New York Jets: 12-5
A loaded defense, a ton of young weapons, and a motivated Aaron Rodgers. No excuses left for the Jets. This is the year.

Kansas City Chiefs: 13-4
The combination of the best coach in the era and a generational quarterback has fostered NFL dynasties. Walsh and Montana, Belichick and Brady, and now Reid and Mahomes. However, that much success annually also leads to more games played than the competition and it’s showing in Mahomes and now Travis Kelce. There are cracks in the Chiefs armor.

Playoffs

7 Baltimore at 2 New York
6 Miami at 3 Cincinnati
5 Buffalo at 4 Jacksonville

6 Miami at 1 Kansas City
5 Buffalo at 2 New York

2 New York at 1 Kansas City

The Jets have the defense to limit Mahomes and the quarterback that can match his ability for quick scores. New York goes to the Super Bowl for the first time since Joe Namath. 55 years.

Super Bowl

Philadelphia over New York

The Eagles win the trenches in both matchups. The league’s best offensive line stands up the Jets and that’s the key to unlocking New York’s defense. Philly plays keep away and gets the win in a rare trip for the Super Bowl loser to return and win it the following year. Future Hall of Famers Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson walk off the field for the last time, as Super Bowl champions.