Derek Antoine

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This is how I rank all 16 teams in the AFC going into 2025.

NFL: Taking A Look At The Power Rankings In The AFC

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Defensive talent is undeniable; certainty at QB is not. The cloud at the most critical position anchors them near the bottom.

16. Cleveland Browns

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New kid in town, but explosive threats are scarce. A transitional year slots them in the bottom two.

15. Tennessee Titans

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A mess of a QB room, but athletes across the rest of the roster. Will stay ranked near the bottom until the gaps get smoothed.

14. Indianapolis Colts

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Elite pass defense, but can be run on. Offense is the variable – they can run, but can they pass when they need to? Is <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/justin-fields/1750">Fields</a> the answer?

13. New York Jets

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Pass-rush star power and offensive playmakers are in place. They sit here until they prove to me the hype is real.

12. Las Vegas Raiders

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Defense provides a baseline while the offense continues the rebuild. Solid window forming, but currently trails the teams above.

11. New England Patriots

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Talented QB with a meh track record, though improved support. They’re recalibrating in a terrible AFC South, planting them here to start the season.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Track-team speed can be explosive weekly, but durability and late-season sturdiness concerns linger. Slotted here until they answer questions.

9. Miami Dolphins

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Defense and organizational continuity preserve a high baseline. Capped here until the offense proves weekly stability. Oh A-a-ron, how I loathe thee.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

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A dynamic young core and aggressive coaching give them volatility with upside. They’re mid-table now with room to leap if consistency arrives.

7. Houston Texans

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Franchise-QB stability plus a reset culture points up. Tough conference keeps them at 6while the roster retools.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

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Defensive spine, continued growth for <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/bo-nix/60112">Bo Nix</a>, and Sean Payton keep them competitive. Placed above several AFC peers.

5. Denver Broncos

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With a healthy <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/joe-burrow/16237">Burrow</a>, the passing game is championship-quality. They land here due to health and defensive instability the swing factors in a loaded AFC.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

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The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/patrick-mahomes/1587">Mahomes</a>–Reid combo remains the league's ultimate January edge. They sit just behind Baltimore and Buffalo, but are still the AFC measuring stick until someone proves otherwise.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/josh-allen/1656">Allen’s</a> playmaking and a battle-tested core keep their window open. Ranked above most of the AFCdue to stability and consistent playoff trips.

2. Buffalo Bills

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A physical defense and an MVP quarterback underpin a high weekly floor. This team has the profile of a top AFC seed again.

1. Baltimore Ravens

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Derek Antoine ranks all 16 teams in the AFC going into 2025. Are Mahomes and the Chiefs still on top? Or have they been surpassed by the Ravens or Bills?

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