NFL · 1 year ago

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking Every AFC Team Entering the Divisional Round

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. With the AFC running through Arrowhead, will anyone knock off the Chiefs? Their title defense begins against the Texans.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +135

Spread: Chiefs -7.5 | Moneyline: Chiefs -460 | Texans +350 | Total: 41.5

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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 handled the Broncos with ease in the Wild Card round. Will they do the same to the Ravens in the Divisional Round?

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +240

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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? The Ravens had their way with the Steelers in the Wild Card round. Up next is a difficult task on the road in Buffalo.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +210

Spread: Ravens -1.5 | Moneyline: Ravens -116 | Bills -102 | Total: 51.5
4. 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. The Texans had a dominant showing over the Chargers in the Wild Card round. Can they continue playing spoiler against the Chiefs?

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +1600

Texans vs. Chiefs Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
5. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers look like a completely different team this season under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers looked like a threat in the AFC, but that all came to an end after a difficult showing on Wild Card Weekend against the Chargers.
6. Denver Broncos
If you're optimistic about Bo Nix in his rookie campaign, you're probably at least semi-bullish about this team. Nix has given the Broncos exactly what they've needed at the quarterback position. Still, it was always a tough ask to think they'd upset the Bills in the Wild Card round.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers streak of playoff losses under Mike Tomlin continued against the Ravens in the Wild Card round. What will it take for the Steelers to figure things out and advance as a franchise? Who will their quarterback be next year?
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. A slow start to the year was once again the downfall in Cincinnati.

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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 missing out on the postseason this year. A big offseason could be in store in Miami.
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
How much say is Tom Brady going to have with this organization moving forward? Firing Antonio Pierce was the starter, but will he help pick their next quarterback?
13. New York Jets
Some people are skeptical about how Aaron Rodgers will look under center for the New York Jets. Those critics have been spot on, not just with Rodgers, but the Jets overall roster. 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. A new head coach is on the horizon for this franchise. Will that help get them back in contention for at least the division next year?
15. New England Patriots
The Patriots kicked off the offseason with a bang and fired Jerod Mayo. Former New England great Mike Vrabel is set to lead this franchise into the future. Will the Pats take another step forward in 2025?
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? The build starts now.

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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. With the AFC running through Arrowhead, will anyone knock off the Chiefs? Their title defense begins against the Texans.

AFC Championship Winner 2024-25: +135

Spread: Chiefs -7.5 | Moneyline: Chiefs -460 | Texans +350 | Total: 41.5

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NFL Power Rankings: Ranking Every AFC Team Entering the Divisional Round

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