NFL · 11 months ago

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking All 16 AFC Teams After Week 17

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

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1. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs look to three-peat as Super Bowl champions this season. The Chiefs haven't looked like the defending champs for much of this season, yet they still have just one loss. The Chiefs look like a serious threat down the stretch to three-peat.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +155

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1. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a team that many were down on heading into 2024. We're not quite ready to plan the funeral for this core of players. Josh Allen is a top quarterback in this league, and the Bills look like a team that will give the majority of the AFC trouble. The Bills are an offensive juggernaut, and will be a tough out in January.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +260
3. Baltimore Ravens
Even if this Baltimore Ravens core hasn't been able to close the deal in January, there's still a lot to like about this football team, led by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have been a confusing team to get a read on in 2024. Is this the year they finally breakthrough and win in January? Let's find out.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +310
4. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers look like a completely different team this season under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers remain a threat in the AFC, but how deep can this group really go? I wouldn't be counting out their ceiling. Some of the questions we've had about this team have continued to get answered in a positive way.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +1500
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers don't quite crack our top ten to kick off the season, Mike Tomlin and company will only use that as motivation. The Steelers haven't looked like a team that you'd have confidence in heading into January.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +2100
6. Houston Texans
With C.J. Stroud making the leap to stardom during his rookie campaign in Houston, the Texans have surged into a genuine Super Bowl contender with some offseason additions. We still have concerns about their difficult schedule, but the talent on this roster remains noteworthy. Despite their solid record, it looks like the Texans have slightly regressed in 2024. Can they find some magic in January?

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +2100
7. Denver Broncos
If you're optimistic about Bo Nix in his rookie campaign, you're probably at least semi-bullish about the Denver Broncos. Nix has given the Broncos exactly what they've needed at the quarterback position. This team looks exactly like one that can play spoiler in the postseason.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +3000
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow has had another stellar season for the Bengals. Still, Cincinnati might have the worst defense in the league, and that's ultimately going to be their downfall this year. To their credit, the Bengals have managed to stay alive heading into Week 18.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +14000
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9. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Inconsistencies and injuries have played a big role in the Dolphins sitting on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +11000
10. Indianapolis Colts
It's easy to get excited about Shane Steichen as a head coach with the Indianapolis Colts. He proved as much to us last season with what he dealt with from an injury standpoint. Still, it's hard to say the Colts didn't underachieve this year in missing the playoffs.
11. Cleveland Browns
Pretty much everything you've thought could go wrong for the Cleveland Browns in 2024 has. It's fair to wonder what type of changes are coming for this organization in 2025.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Let's get one thing straight: the Las Vegas Raiders won't be a pushover under Antonio Pierce. Although the talent isn't there on this roster, you have to hope that Pierce and company are building a real culture. The Raiders fight hard to stay in games, but the talent just isn't there to get wins at this stage. Will Pierce be around next year?
13. New York Jets
Some people are skeptical about how Aaron Rodgers will look under center for the New York Jets. As we stand entering Week 18, those critics have been spot on. Not only has Rogers underachieved, but the Jets roster as a whole has too. Will he remain with the franchise in 2025? There are more current questions than answers with the Jets.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
To say it's been a struggle this year would be an understatement for Jacksonville. We assumed with the talent this team boasts they'd be better, but that just hasn't transpired. We're pretty shocked that head coach Doug Pederson is still employed in Week 18. His time appears to be coming to an end sooner than later. Will big changes go down this offseason for the Jaguars?
15. New England Patriots
There will undoubtedly be some growing pains for Jerod Mayo in his first year as head coach of the New England Patriots. Another high pick is on the horizon for the Patriots. It will be interesting to see which direction they take in the draft. The Patriots need a lot of help all over this roster. They'll be well positioned in the draft to get more of it. The question is, what area do they target early?
16. Tennessee Titans
There hasn't been a ton to get excited about with the Tennessee Titans in 2024. This team is in need of a real franchise quarterback, much like multiple of the bottom feeders in this conference. The Titans remain a long way from the top. Can they transition the franchise in one offseason? That likely depends on where they end up in the draft order.

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Check out The Smylie Show on SportsGrid
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs look to three-peat as Super Bowl champions this season. The Chiefs haven't looked like the defending champs for much of this season, yet they still have just one loss. The Chiefs look like a serious threat down the stretch to three-peat.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +155

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking All 16 AFC Teams After Week 17

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