AFC Top Seven

AFC Top Seven Teams

 Noah Nichols

Number One: Chiefs

The super bowl champions are at the top of my list for several reasons. One; Patrick Mahomes, barring injury, is going to be their quarterback. I don't need to state the obvious about him. Secondly, the Chiefs have not lost anyone in free agency. They have the same super bowl group, and they have draft picks. I expect them to add to their defense, which was performing well in the playoffs last year. This is the new dynasty. Let's get used to it.

Number Two: Ravens

After losing immediately in the playoffs twice in a row, questions are starting to arise about Lamar Jackson. While some of those questions contain merit, this is a team that just went 14-2. They have the best kicker in league history in Justin Tucker. They have a very good secondary, headed by Marlon Humphrey. They added to their defensive line. And they have draft picks. The major hole for them is their linebackers, or lack thereof. While they did place the franchise tag on Mathew Judon, the other three linebackers are free agents. They will shore up that group in the draft, and they are retaining the majority of their super bowl ready roster. The only real question is, can Lamar Jackson win a playoff game. While they have seemed to big for him, I think the answer is an obvious yes. 

Number Three: Steelers

While I do have homer tendencies, I try to be as objective as possible. The third best team in the AFC is not clear. I picked the Steelers for several different reasons, but the main one is Mike Tomlin. He is a better coach than Harbaugh. You can disagree, but the stats back me up on this one. I can't say that he is better than Andy Reid, but he has gotten the better of Andy more often than not, and is just a good if not better coach in my opinion. Another reason I picked the Steelers is because of their defense. That group led the league in sacks AND turnovers last year, carrying an abysmal offense to 8-8. They have the same group as last year after retaining Bud Dupree, Minkah Fitzpatrick gets an offseason to work on his chemistry with the defense, and Devin Bush will be in his second year, which is when Mike Tomlin expects his players to take their biggest jump. Don't discount Big Ben, who is rested after a year, and for the first time in years not feeling pain in his arm. 

Number Four: Bills 

The AFC East favorites have built a very solid roster. By adding Stefon Diggs, they created a very good wide receiver core. They have a great defense though their pash rush is lacking. They have a number one running back. Very good coaching and they have strong special teams. One knock I have against this team is Josh Allen. He is too inconsistent. He has possibly the strongest arm in the NFL, but is plagued by inaccuracy. But this team is young and hungry. They should absolutely make the playoffs, and are rightly considered as the AFC East favorite. They have a bright future but Josh Allen worries me. 

Number Five: Chargers

Quite possibly the best roster in the NFL. They have a great secondary headed by Derwin James, pass rushers led by Joey Bosa, wide receivers led by Mike William's and Keenan Allen, and a good if not great running back in Austin Ekeler. They have a competent head coach in Anthony Lynn, though I don't think he is one of the best head coaches in the NFL as he has been lauded as. They have few, if any holes, and those they do are ones they can address in the draft, where they will most likely take a tackle of their choice. The problem is the quarterback situation they are in. Is Tyrod Taylor really the quarterback of the future for them? Is he just a placeholder? While I think Tyrod is not a bad quarterback, he certainly isn't great. He doesn't have to do much with the stacked offense they have, but imagine what the Chargers could do if they had Cam Newton. Cam wouldn't be not be the same, but still more of a threat than Tyrod. They could also address it in the draft. My question, and the biggest impediment that I see for them is, who is Chargers starting quarterback? If it's a rookie, he'll need time to adjust. If it's Tyrod, then they are limited. I put the Chargers at number four and not higher because I think that they have detrimental or average quarterback plays and coaching. 

Number Six:  Titans

Before you cry, where are the Colts!? Where are the Texans!?? Calm down. The AFC south is weak. This team just went to the AFC championship and beat the Patriots and the Ravens in their own houses. This team is well rounded, with Tannehill and Henry coming back. However, they are not dynamic really anywhere. They have a solid defense. Solid offense. I'm not sold that Henry can repeat his rushing performance. If he can, this offense is very hard to stop. But they dont have great wide receivers outside of AJ Brown. They don't have a pass rush at all though they added Vic Beasly, who is not good anymore. They are better than the Texans, because of their coaching, and their ability to not trade away star players. *cough* DeAndre Hopkins *cough*. Anyway, this is a good team, and well rounded. But they are not very dynamic which is why I have them here at the sixth spot.  

Number Seven: Colts

They are a fringe playoff team. The addition of Philip Rivers does not make them a super bowl team. They have some pieces, but are not particularly explosive on either side of the ball. They need a new kicker. The wide receiver room is basically just T.Y. Hilton. They have some pieces and a great offensive line which always helps. My real big knock is the lack of explosiveness on either side of the ball, and the addition of Rivers. He is old, does not move whatsoever in the pocket, and does not have a great arm. He will recognize coverage and not be overcome in the moment. But I think the biggest knock against them. He doesn't make them a better team, but doesn't really make them worse. 

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