Early AFC Division Predictions

With the NFL season in full swing, many analysts are already predicting who will win each division. Many divisions are extremely competitive, while others have essentially been predetermined. The information in this article is as of week 5, which will cover the AFC, and we assume that no more major injuries will happen. 

AFC East

Even before the season started, most NFL fans predicted that the Patriots would be on top of the division. With a defense that is new and improved from last year and an offense is still cranking out touchdowns with Tom Brady at the helm, the Pats look poised to win the division again. Moving on, the Bills seem to be doing surprisingly well so far, as they are 4-1, and both sides of the football look good. The third team to talk about is the Jets. They are 0-4 so far and though they have some star power (namely Le’Veon Bell) playoff hopes look grim for the Jets. The last team is (pretty obviously) the Jets. After trading away Ryan Tannehill marked the start of a new era, though it may take some time to be back in playoff contention. 

Quote: “Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick have made this division anticlimactic for the past decade” – Elliot Lee, AMST Junior, a 49ers fan

AFC West 

As one of the best teams in the NFL, the Chiefs are the most likely to come out as the winner of this division. With reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes and a much-improved defense, the Chiefs may be poised to make a Super Bowl push (though that’s a different story). Behind the Chiefs would most likely be the Raiders, who are 3-2 at the moment. They have acquired a number of players, as rookie Josh Jacobs is a candidate for rookie of the year. Falling behind the Raiders would be the Chargers, who have had a disappointing season so far and need to figure things out, quick. Sitting at the end of the standings are the Broncos, who will probably revolve their game style around defense, due to their aging QB Joe Flacco.

Quote: “The Chiefs play some of the most electric and exciting football in the entire NFL” – Elliot Lee

AFC North

Though the Ravens were not projected to be this high before the season, they have proved to be the best team in the division, as Lamar Jackson is having a breakout season and the defense is playing well (as usual). Though the Browns were expected to repeat (with various off-season acquisitions) they have played poorly so far and may need a coaching change to “reboot” themselves. Moving on, it seemed like only yesterday when the Steelers were dominating the division. However, With Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown leaving in free agency and Ben Roethlisberger having surgery, it seems to be the end of the Steelers’ dominance. Finally, we come upon the Bengals. With Andy Dalton past his prime and a lack of playmakers on the defense, the Bengals should finish last in the division.  

Quote: “The Browns seemed to have been severely overhyped” – Elliot Lee

AFC South

  So far, the Texans seem to be the clear division winners this year. Though Deshaun Watson looks like a superstar the defense is playing decent, the Texans will have to significantly improve the rushing attack to be considered Super Bowl Contenders. The next team is the Colts, who – despite the loss of Andrew Luck — have played well this season, led by QB Jacoby Brissett. The next two teams Jaguars and Titans (who are both 2-3) and in all honesty, there is very little to distinguish the two. Let’s start with the Jaguars, who were just in the conference championship two years ago. With Nick Foles breaking his clavicle and Jalen Ramsey demanding a trade, the Jaguars’ playoff hopes seem to be over. Finally, we come upon the Titans, who have been the definition of a “mid-to-low tier team” for the past decade or so (of course, 9-7 isn’t bad, but it has not amounted to much yet) and should not be in playoff contention.

Quote: “The extremely well-coached but less talented Colts should give the poorly coached yet talented Texans a run for their money” – Elliot Lee

AFC East:

1. New England Patriots
2. Buffalo Bills
3. New York Jets
4. Miami Dolphins

AFC West:

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Los Angeles Chargers
3. Oakland Raiders
4. Denver Broncos

AFC North:

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Cleveland Browns
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cincinnati Bengals 

AFC South

1. Houston Texans
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Tennessee Titans

Written By: Parth Borker and Raiyaan Shaik