Winning a championship in the NFL requires months of preparation, focus, and determination. An extensive off-season helped coaches and players re-evaluate goals for the journey ahead. With less than a month away until kick-off, which teams deserve to sit high in the preseason NFL power rankings?
Preseason football has shown us a glimpse of the action to come. While coaches add the finishing touches to schemes, analysts and reporters evaluate each early showing. Convincing or not, each performance is used to determine rank.
Competition in the AFC will cause franchises to play at their best. Here is an idea of how the conference will look this season.
No.16 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Houston Texans
2021 Record: 4-13
Working through the rebuilding process is difficult for fans in Houston. Watching franchise players like JJ Watt and Deshaun Watson relocate has been a hard pill to swallow. Head coach Lovie Smith is prepared to turn things around. Developing second-year QB Davis Mills will be essential for success this season. His 16 touchdowns and ten interceptions during his rookie season showed glimpses of a promising future. Houston’s 278.1 yards per game average in 2021 finished as the worst in the league and must improve in the upcoming season.
No.15 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Jacksonville Jaguars
2021 Record: 3-14
Head coach Doug Pederson is confident that the Jaguars will improve from their 3-14 record in 2021. Trevor Lawrence, James Robinson, and Marvin Jones have shown that they are more than prepared to take on the upcoming season. In 2021, Trevor Lawrence finished the season with 3,641 yards passing – ranking 17th in yardage among active quarterbacks. Limiting turnovers will help Lawrence improve in his sophomore season.
Repeating a 17-interception performance will not help the team climb out of the AFC South. Relying on young offensive talent requires a strong Defense. Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd must protect the endzone – leaving the Jaguars to rely on younger talent to make things happen in 2022.
No.14 Pre-Season Ranking: New York Jets
2021 Record: 4-13
Robert Saleh’s patience in developing his team during the off-season has served his franchise well. New York’s selections in the 2022 NFL Draft added depth to their improving roster. Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, Breece Hall, and Ahmad Gardner make for an impressive Jets rookie class, but how quickly can these first-year players adjust? While New York grooms their newest draft class, players like Zach Wilson will look to improve from last season.
His 2,334 passing yards and nine touchdowns will allow Wilson to make bigger strides this season. A knee injury has fans wondering if Wilson will be ready for the opening week of the season. Regardless, the Jets understand that their franchise is in the rebuilding phase – working to leave their mark on the upcoming season.
No.13 Pre-Season Ranking: Denver Broncos
2021 Record: 7-10
Adding an elite quarterback to the roster will not be enough for Nathaniel Hackett’s team to win the AFC title this season. In 2021, Wilson finished the season with 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions – the second-fewest interception total in the league. Developing chemistry with his new receiving core is imperative for No.3 for the upcoming season.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has developed a reputation for making big plays during his career and has every intention of continuing his success as a downfield threat. Russell Wilson is a Super Bowl caliber gunslinger – but who will make plays for Denver’s defense? Without the presence of veteran Von Miller on defense, the Broncos will struggle to defend the endzone – forcing Wilson to play perfectly for most of the regular season.
No.12 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Miami Dolphins
2021 Record: 9-8
Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are the two fastest receivers in the league, but can they help Tua Tagovailoa develop into a prominent passer? In 2021, Tagovailoa finished with 2,653 yards passing and 16 touchdowns – finishing in the lower ranking tier of QB performances. Acquiring a veteran back-up in Teddy Bridgewater should help Miami’s second-year gunslinger develop as the season progresses. Defensively, Josh Boyer will make efforts to improve his squad. Their 5,738 yards allowed finished in the top 15 when compared to other teams.
No.11 Pre-Season Ranking: Cleveland Browns
2021 Record: 8-9
Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension will hurt the Browns’ chance of clinching a playoff berth this season. Without No.4 behind center, Kevin Stefanski and his staff must rely on Jacoby Brissett to run the offense. Although Brissett has proven that he is a reliable backup, Cleveland’s offense may need more firepower to keep up with opposing teams.
Nick Chubb’s and Kareem Hunt’s leadership from the backfield should help Brissett get acclimated to the team’s offense – but how successful will the Browns be without Watson under center?
No.10 AFC Preseason Power Rankings: Tennessee Titans
2021 Record: 12-5
Derrick Henry’s production has kept the Titans relevant. Since 2013, Tennessee’s bruiser has accumulated more than 7,000 yards of total offense. Injuries sidelined No.22 in the middle of the season, forcing Mike Vrabel’s offense to find a new identity. AJ Brown became a receiver the team could lean on in Henry’s absence. The trade with the Philadelphia Eagles sent Brown to greener pastures, leaving the Titans’ front office to assess the state of the franchise.
Acquiring Robert Woods, Austin Hooper, and rookie Treylon Burks in the offseason will help Ryan Tannehill progress the offense if Henry gets hurt again. Despite the latest additions, many wonder if the Titans have enough star power to make a push for the AFC South title.
No.9 Pre-Season Rankings: New England Patriots
2021 Record: 10-7
Finding a replacement quarterback for Tom Brady would be impossible for most franchises, but New England’s front office has managed to do a decent job. Expectations are high for second-year quarterback Mac Jones after he shredded opposing defenses during his rookie debut. At the end of the 2021 season, Jones finished with 3,801 yards passing and 22 touchdowns – ranking in the top fifteen among quarterbacks in both categories.
Having a dependable quarterback heading into the season should help New England reclaim the AFC East. Additions on defense like Marcus Jones should help Matthew Judon and company keep opposing offenses out of the endzone.
No. 8 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Indianapolis Colts
2021 Record: 9-8
Matt Ryan’s new destination will help the veteran quarterback reestablish himself as one of the league’s best gunslingers. The Indianapolis Colts ranked just outside of the league’s top fifteen offenses when the 2021 season was finalized. Replacing a developing Carson Wentz with a hungry Matt Ryan will help receivers like Michael Pittman Jr. continues their impressive professional career.
Pittman’s 1,082 yards receiving last season finished 18th among active receivers. Having the most productive rusher in the mix on offense will help the Colts assert their dominance between the tackles. Jonathan Taylor’s 1,811 yards rushing on 332 attempts were the most by any back in the league in both categories last season.
No. 7 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 Record: 9-7-1
Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement caused Pittsburgh to spend their off-season finding a new quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett are both young gunslingers who still have a lot to learn and will need additional help on offense to have successful seasons. Outstanding pre-season performances from rookie George Pickens have helped fans feel at ease about their team’s offensive adjustments. T.J Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick’s presence on defense will help the team persevere in tough moments. The addition of LB Myles Jack should give Pittsburgh enough juice to make a run toward the playoffs.
No. 6 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Baltimore Ravens
2021 Record: 8-9
Noise from the media should motivate Lamar Jackson to have an impressive fifth season. It’s simple, the Ravens are as good as No. 8. In 2021, Jackson finished the season with 13 interceptions – recording his career high in turnovers. A refocused Lamar with the help of Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews will allow Greg Roman to capitalize down the field.
On defense, Calais Campbell and Michael Pierce expect to eliminate opposing running schemes. In 2021, Baltimore’s defense allowed only 1,436 yards on the ground – ranking first against the run. If the team’s secondary develops during the season, the Ravens will have a chance to make noise in the playoffs.
No. 5 AFC Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Las Vegas Raiders
2021 Record: 10-7
A Derek Carr and Davante Adams connection makes the Raiders a must-watch team in the upcoming season. With the help of Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller, Las Vegas will be a top-10 offense. Offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi has other options than passing the football. His unique running back depth will help his offense run smoothly.
Josh Jacobs, Zamir White, and Ameer Abdullah’s preseason performances left fans wanting to see more – showing signs of a balanced Raider offense. Power on the defensive line will help the Raiders manage games this season. Maxx Crosby and Bilal Nichols are defensive linemen with high motors that plan to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable this season.
No.4 Pre-Season Ranking: Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Record: 10-7
A loss in the Super Bowl will motivate Zac Taylor’s squad to leave nothing on the field this season. A long off-season helped the team move on to bigger and better things – like the upcoming season. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase already proved that their connection has not missed a beat since their days at LSU – but what else is new? Implementing Joe Mixon’s skillset into the game plan will help Brian Callahan keep defenses on their toes. Leaning on Joe Burrow’s shoulders helped the Bengals navigate through a tough season, but will the upcoming journey require more?
No.3 Pre-Season Ranking: Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Record: 12-5
Andy Reid’s offense looked a step-off beat last season. Inconsistent offensive performances cost the team a chance at another Super Bowl. A redesign of the offense cost the team Tyreek Hill – who was later replaced with former Steeler JuJu Smith Schuster. Travis Kelce and Clyde Edwards-Helaire remain reliable options for Eric Bieniemy’s offense. Losing Tyrann Mathieu to the Saints will hurt the defense – but Mahomes’ ability will make up for it.
No.2 Pre-Season Ranking: Buffalo Bills
2021 Record: 11-6
Josh Allen has helped the Bills regain control of the AFC North. In 2021, his 4,407 yards passing, and 36 touchdowns ranked in the top ten in both categories. Help from Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox will help No.17 continue his success. The addition of Von Miller has elevated Leslie Frazier’s defenses’ status – raising concerns for opposing teams. In 2021, Buffalo’s defense ranked 1st in total yards. Their 272.8 yards allowed per game put offense on freeze – something the team plans on repeating this season.
No.1 Preseason AFC NFL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Record: 9-8
Watching Justin Herbert develop as a professional quarterback is a beautiful sight. Las Angeles’ third-year quarterback put on a show during his first two seasons in the league. His 9,350 yards and 69 touchdowns helped the Chargers find their footing in the AFC West. Targets like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams aid in Herbert’s development – becoming reliable targets for No.10 in the past years. Additions on defense have taken the Chargers to the next level. The combination of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa will disrupt opposing offenses throughout the season – making the Chargers the team to beat.
Competition in the AFC is at its fullest, and the franchise must prepare diligently for the upcoming seasons. Clinching a playoff berth will help teams get a step closer to their goal – winning a Super Bowl.