The AFC North stands out as the most dominant division, with every team boasting playoff potential and elite talent on both sides of the ball. The AFC East and AFC West remain competitive but lack the same top-to-bottom strength, relying on a few powerhouse teams to carry the load. Meanwhile, the AFC South is improving but still trails behind the others in overall consistency and depth.
1. AFC West
The AFC West doesn’t look quite like it has in years past, but it still has the makings of a powerhouse. The Chargers currently hold a slim lead over the Chiefs and Broncos, with all three teams very much alive in the playoff race. If health stays on their side, each of them has the firepower to make a postseason push and possibly make noise in January. Even the Raiders, despite their turnover woes, aren’t a pushover and could stack wins with a cleaner brand of football. The parity in this division means every matchup feels like it could swing playoff implications.
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Coaching experience runs deep here, with proven leaders on every sideline who know how to prepare their teams for high-pressure moments. But it’s the quarterback play that sets this division apart from the rest. Between Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and rookie Bo Nix, the AFC West arguably boasts the strongest QB group in the entire league. Each quarterback brings a different style—Mahomes with his improvisation and championship pedigree, Herbert with his arm strength and poise, and Nix with his mobility and grit as he adjusts to the pro level. With that kind of talent, it’s tough to single out one clear favorite—any of these teams has the roster strength and offensive explosiveness to flip the narrative of a season in a matter of weeks.
2. AFC East
Despite some early inconsistencies, the AFC East still runs through Buffalo. The Bills, behind a red-hot Josh Allen, are off to a 4-0 start and look every bit the contender they were projected to be. Allen has picked up right where he left off, carrying the offense with his dual-threat ability and keeping Buffalo at the top of the conference standings. The Jets remain winless and continue to struggle finding an identity on both sides of the ball, but the Patriots and Dolphins keep this division intriguing with their potential upside.
Miami’s ceiling took a major hit when Tyreek Hill was lost for the season, leaving Tua Tagovailoa to carry more weight in an offense that suddenly looks far less explosive. Some drives look smooth and efficient, while others stall quickly, leaving major questions about how far this team can really go. New England, meanwhile, might be the biggest wild card. Drake Maye looks comfortable entering his second year, showing improved pocket awareness and leadership, while the Patriots lean on a sturdy run game and a much-improved offensive line. With a favorable schedule ahead, New England could quietly sneak into contention and emerge as the AFC’s most dangerous sleeper team.
3. AFC North
The AFC North, normally one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, has been dealt a heavy dose of adversity this season. The Bengals lost Joe Burrow, leaving the offense searching for answers, while the Ravens have been forced to adjust without Lamar Jackson, who is sidelined temporarily. Baltimore still has plenty of talent, but the defense hasn’t played up to its lofty expectations, and that has left the door wide open for the rest of the division.
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That puts the Steelers in the most stable position—for now—with Aaron Rodgers under center. Rodgers has brought a veteran steadiness to Pittsburgh’s offense, but the question remains whether the team can rise above its recent pattern of middle-of-the-road seasons. Another 9-8 finish wouldn’t surprise anyone. Cleveland, meanwhile, continues to shuffle pieces at quarterback, moving on from Joe Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel while Shedeur Sanders waits his turn. The Browns’ defense still has bite, but without consistency at QB, the ceiling feels limited. With all the uncertainty, this once-dominant division looks like one of the more vulnerable groups in the AFC.
4. AFC South
The AFC South has a clear divide between its top half and bottom half. At the top, the Colts and Jaguars have shown flashes of legitimate playoff potential. Daniel Jones has been a surprise spark for Indianapolis, guiding the Colts to a 3-0 start with an efficient, balanced offense that plays to his strengths. Jacksonville, meanwhile, is seeing Trevor Lawrence finally show signs of steadier play after years of uneven performances. Both teams may not yet belong in the elite tier of AFC contenders, but they’re winning games and showing they can compete with anyone when clicking.
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On the other end, the Titans and Texans continue to drag down the overall reputation of the division. Both teams boast stout defensive fronts that can frustrate opponents, and Houston in particular has done well to keep scores low. But the offensive woes are glaring. Neither team has been able to consistently move the ball or score, which has limited their ability to build momentum. Until those issues are fixed, the bottom half of the division will keep the AFC South from being considered a true power, even with Indy and Jacksonville trending upward.
