Even though we haven’t even hit the 2023 NFL Draft, let’s take a stab at predicting the seven AFC playoff teams for the 2023 season. The AFC is yet again going to be a super competitive conference.
I think it’s pretty obvious that the AFC is much better than the NFC. There appear to be several Super Bowl contenders in this conference alone, and it should be a bloodbath for the seven playoff seeds.
With three divisions within the AFC, I could make an argument we could all have three teams make the postseason. It really is a shame that the conference can only send seven clubs to the playoffs.
Let’s try to predict the seven playoff teams in the AFC for the 2023 season.
Way too early NFL predictions for the AFC playoff picture – Division winners: Top four seeds
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Ok, why not? The Bengals have gone toe to toe with the Chiefs over the last couple of seasons. They’ve knocked them off once in the AFC Championship Game and have their number in regular season matchups. The Bengals should field an improved offensive line, which should be a huge boost to their team.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are here and will stay here until they prove otherwise. Andy Reid likely isn’t coaching much longer, but he’s still the HC in KC, so they’ll win a ton of games and probably make a deep playoff run, as usual.
3. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a team that is great on paper but don’t seem to be able to hit their true ceiling. To me, they are a distant third behind the Bengals and the Chiefs. Josh Allen is not as good as some think, in my opinion.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The top four seeds in the AFC from 2022 will again be the top four seeds in 2023, and I think the Jaguars have the easiest path to again with their division. They’ll get an MVP-caliber season from Trevor Lawrence.
Way too early predictions for the AFC playoff picture – Wild Card teams
5. New York Jets* (Rodgers trade assumed)
Assuming the New York Jets do indeed land Aaron Rodgers, they’ll make the playoffs. They’ve got a stout defense and some nice weapons on the outside. Rodgers doesn’t have any more suitors besides the Jets, so this is probably just a matter of time.
6. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have geared up for an “all-in” type of team. In the last year, they’ve traded for Bradley Chubb, Jalen Ramsey, and Tyreek Hill. They also brought on Vic Fangio as their defensive coordinator. They’ll be good, but I’m not sure they can win the division.
7. Denver Broncos
Broncos Country, let’s ride, to the playoffs! In their first year under Sean Payton, the Super Bowl-winning head coach and offensive mastermind lead the Broncos to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, but man, the AFC is just so stacked, I could easily see Denver missing the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens are all extremely worthy of making the playoffs, but I just like the whole setup in Denver more than those other three clubs.