The AFC proved to be a wide-open conference in 2025, as the end result was a flat-out shock to most of us. Not only did the Kansas City Chiefs miss the playoffs entirely, but we also saw teams like the Indianapolis Colts burst onto the scene, only to collapse down the stretch, and the New England Patriots to do a complete 180 and represent the conference in the Super Bowl.
If this continues into 2026, the AFC could become even more of an unknown, but that honestly makes it a more entertaining watch overall. In about one month, the NFL Free Agency period will begin, and this is where top AFC teams will try and put the finishing touches on a Super Bowl squad.
On the flip side, the worst teams in the conference will try and continue or begin a rebuilding process. Ahead of the bulk of the offseason, we've power-ranked the AFC. We're ranking based on what we believe to be the hierarchy when the regular season begins in September.
Power ranking the AFC ahead of the 2026 NFL Free Agency period
16. New York Jets
It's hard to find much of anything to like with the New York Jets, especially when Oregon quarterback Dante Moore decided to play another year in college, as he was likely going to be the pick for the Jets at no. 2 in the 2026 NFL Draft. With a bad coaching staff and a horrendous roster, the Jets may again struggle to win a handful of games in 2026.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
Sure, the Las Vegas Raiders might have something special at some point with Klint Kubiak and Fernando Mendoza, but the roster outside of that likely duo is among the worst in the league, and Maxx Crosby appears to be headed to a new team.
14. Tennessee Titans
I really love the hire of Robert Saleh as the Tennessee Titans new head coach, as he brought along Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator. The Titans may still be a year or two away, but this team has set a foundation to rise in our power rankings at some point in 2026.
13. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns hired Todd Monken as its next head coach, and if nothing else, Monken's offenses are typically airing it out at a high level, so there could be something fun coming on that side of the ball.
12. Miami Dolphins
I would guess that Malik Willis is the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback come Week 1 of 2026, but that really opens an entirely new can of worms for the Dolphins. They have a new General Manager and a new Head Coach approaching 2026.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals legitimately need an average defense to become a contender in the NFL this upcoming season. All it might take is spending a bit of cash in free agency, but for some reason, the Bengals have not been able to do that.
10. Indianapolis Colts
After a 7-1 start in 2025, you get the sense that the Indianapolis Colts still have an uphill battle to make the playoffs in 2026 given the collapse they endured down the stretch. A Wild Card spot is definitely possible if Daniel Jones returns to how he played the first two months of 2025.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
It's not 100 percent clear at the moment if Patrick Mahomes will be ready for the start of 2026. Even if he is, the Kansas City Chiefs don't really scare you anymore. The roster is rather average outside of Mahomes.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Some have wondered if new head coach Mike McCarthy is simply just another version of Mike Tomlin. That might be the case, but McCarthy brings a sharp offensive mind to the team that has needed that for years.
7. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter as its next head coach, and there's really not going to be much of a surprise when Baltimore plays well on that side of the ball and takes back the AFC North in 2026, but just because that's what's likely to happen, doesn't mean it will.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have gone 11-6 in each of the last two seasons. One of the more 'good not great' teams in the NFL, the Bolts have to improve along the offensive line if they hope to take that next step.
5. Houston Texans
Houston has a Super Bowl-caliber defense but might not have a top-20 quarterback. Year four in the NFL for CJ Stroud is going to be a huge make-or-break season. The Texans did, though, win 12 games in 2025, so this team isn't incompetent.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville put the league on notice in 2025 and have the infrastructure in place to keep climbing in 2026. Not only do they defend the run well, which is crucial, but Trevor Lawrence appears to have finally found his footing, and Liam Coen quickly proved to be the right man for the job.
3. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills needed to field an average wide receiver room, and the team could have made it to the Super Bowl. That's really one of the main points of focus this upcoming offseason. Even with Buffalo losing the AFC East in 2025, it's not hard to see how this team is among the best in the conference.
2. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots made the Super Bowl the year after being one of the worst teams in football. It's truly miraculous the kind of season they had in 2025. While a regression might be on the horizon, there's always a chance that it doesn't happen and the Pats continue to be an elite team.
1. Denver Broncos
It's hard to not rank the Denver Broncos as the no. 1 team in the AFC given how the end of the season transpired. The Broncos nearly beat the Patriots in the AFC title game with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback, and many would agree that Denver would have put up a much better fight in Super Bowl 60.
The Broncos could have won the Super Bowl this year had Bo Nix not gotten hurt, and with a runway to add a ton of talent this offseason, Denver figures to again be in a deep playoff run next year.