The 2026 NFL season is sort of right here, and the AFC appears to be like loaded from prime to backside. Each division has not less than one reliable contender, whereas a number of groups may make the bounce from afterthought to playoff staff. Right here is my division-by-division breakdown and prediction for all 16 AFC groups.
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AFC East
Dec 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up previous to a sport in opposition to the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Financial institution Subject. Necessary Credit score: Ken Blaze-Imagn Photographs
Buffalo Payments
The Payments stay the most secure wager on this division. Josh Allen remains to be the centerpiece, however the greatest change comes with Joe Brady taking up as head coach and Jim Leonhard operating the protection. Buffalo additionally added DJ Moore to a receiving corps that desperately wanted one other difference-maker. The Payments received 12 video games final season, and I anticipate them to stay close to the highest of the AFC. Prediction: 11-6, AFC East champions.
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New England Patriots
It is troublesome to wager in opposition to the reigning AFC champions after what they completed final season. Drake Maye has one other yr of expertise, and New England added A.J. Brown to an offense that already averaged 28.8 factors per sport in 2025. The Patriots could have huge expectations, however I anticipate them to stay a severe contender. Prediction: 11-6, playoff staff.
New York Jets
The Jets are higher than the Dolphins, however that is not saying a lot. Geno Smith returns after main the NFL in interceptions final season, whereas New York has utterly reshaped its roster and enters 2026 with three first-round picks. There may be sufficient expertise right here to shock individuals, however the quarterback play has to enhance dramatically. Prediction: 6-11.
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Miami Dolphins
Miami appears like a rebuilding staff after transferring on from Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Malik Willis now has an unlimited alternative, however anticipating all the pieces to click on instantly is asking loads. The Dolphins may very well be aggressive in stretches, however this appears to be like just like the hardest roster within the division. Prediction: 5-12.
Division winner: Buffalo Payments
AFC North
Dec 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up earlier than the sport between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Peter Casey-Imagn Photographs
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Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are my decide to bounce again after an unpleasant 8-9 season. John Harbaugh is gone, and Jesse Minter takes over, whereas Lamar Jackson will get a brand new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle. Baltimore additionally added Trey Hendrickson and will get Nnamdi Madubuike again, doubtlessly reworking a protection that struggled badly final yr. Prediction: 11-6, AFC North champions.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow’s well being stays the largest variable, however Cincinnati lastly seems severe about fixing its protection. The Bengals added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook dinner and Kyle Dugger earlier than buying Dexter Lawrence. If Burrow stays wholesome, this may very well be a harmful staff. Prediction: 10-7, playoff staff.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are fascinating as a result of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers may both make this appear like an excellent transfer or a determined one. Pittsburgh additionally added Michael Pittman Jr., giving Rodgers one other reliable goal. The protection has to enhance, although, after rating twenty sixth in complete protection final season. Prediction: 9-8.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are nonetheless rebuilding. Todd Monken takes over as head coach, the quarterback state of affairs stays unsettled, and Cleveland traded Myles Garrett after his record-setting 2025 season. Jared Verse provides the protection a brand new centerpiece, however I do not anticipate the Browns to contend but. Prediction: 5-12.
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Division winner: Baltimore Ravens
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AFC South
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws throughout the first half of an AFC Wild Card Spherical sport in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Credit score: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Photographs
Houston Texans
The Texans are one of the vital troublesome groups to mission. They went 12-5 final season and have an impressive protection, however C.J. Stroud must rediscover his rookie type. Houston additionally utterly revamped its offensive line and added David Montgomery to enhance the operating sport. If the road lastly stabilizes, the Texans may very well be a Tremendous Bowl contender. Prediction: 11-6, AFC South champions.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville received 13 video games final season and stays one of many AFC’s most intriguing groups. Travis Etienne is gone, leaving Bhayshul Tuten and others to switch his manufacturing, whereas Travis Hunter’s two-way function will likely be fascinating to look at. If Brian Thomas Jr. takes a step ahead, and Parker Washington continues his ascent, this offense may very well be harmful. Prediction: 10-7, playoff staff.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ complete season might rely upon Daniel Jones staying wholesome. Indianapolis noticed its offense collapse when Jones was injured final yr, and the staff can also be coping with main well being questions involving Jonathan Taylor and DeForest Buckner. There’s expertise right here, however an excessive amount of uncertainty for me to belief them as a playoff staff. Prediction: 8-9.
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Tennessee Titans
Every part revolves round Cam Ward. Tennessee introduced in Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll to assist develop its younger quarterback and added veteran receiver Wan’Dale Robinson together with first-round decide Carnell Tate. I anticipate enchancment, however the Titans are nonetheless a yr away from severely competing. Prediction: 6-11.
Division winner: Houston Texans
AFC West
NFL: AFC Divisional Spherical-Buffalo Payments at Denver Broncos
Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) calls an audible throughout the first quarter of an AFC Divisional Spherical playoff sport in opposition to the Buffalo Payments at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs Credit score: IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join (Reuters)
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Denver Broncos
Denver is my decide to win the AFC West. The Broncos went 14-3 final season, largely stored their roster intact, and added Jaylen Waddle to provide Bo Nix one other elite weapon. The most important query is Nix’s well being after his ankle damage, but when he is wholesome, Denver has essentially the most full roster within the division. Prediction: 12-5, AFC West champions.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
The Chiefs are coming off a surprising 6-11 season, so there’s nowhere to go however up. Patrick Mahomes stays the final word motive for optimism, however Kansas Metropolis has extra questions than we have seen in years. I anticipate a bounce-back season, simply not one other dominant run by way of the division. Prediction: 10-7, playoff staff.
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Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers ought to as soon as once more be aggressive with Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh, however their offensive line well being stays a priority. The addition of tight finish David Njoku provides Herbert extra choices, and the protection ought to preserve them in video games. Nonetheless, I do not see them profitable this division. Prediction: 9-8.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders could be the AFC’s most intriguing long-term mission. No. 1 total decide Fernando Mendoza is behind veteran Kirk Cousins for now, whereas Las Vegas additionally made important offensive-line upgrades. If Cousins struggles, the strain to unleash Mendoza will turn out to be huge. Prediction: 6-11.
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Division winner: Denver Broncos
Playoff Subject
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Aug 15, 2026; Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, USA; Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) on area in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams throughout the first half of the pre season sport at Arrowhead Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Denny Medley-Imagn Photographs Credit score: IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join (Reuters)
My AFC playoff area can be Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston and Denver as division winners, with New England and Cincinnati, and Kansas Metropolis incomes wild-card spots.
The AFC must be extraordinarily aggressive, however I see Denver, Baltimore and Houston because the three groups finest positioned to problem Buffalo and New England for the convention crown. There are many variables that would change the image as soon as the common season begins, however on paper, the AFC appears to be like prefer it may very well be an absolute battle from Week 1 by way of the playoffs.
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