With the 2026 NFL Season right around the corner, teams across the league are gearing up for training camp later this month, and soon enough, we'll make our way through preseason action. Training camp is definitely an unofficial 'start' to the season, as this is when the pads come on and where coaches and front offices begin to make tough roster decisions.
And for all 32 teams, they're thinking Super Bowl. There might not be more than 8-ish legitimate contenders for the biggest trophy in sports, but if the 2025 season told us anything, it's that the Super Bowl is going to be a totally unexpected matchup.
Let's channel this area a little bit and look at every AFC team's best-case scenario this year. As you will see, there is going to be some overlap, but this is the best-case scenario for every team, so keep that in mind.
Predicting every AFC team's best-case scenario in the 2026 NFL Season
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - AFC Championship Game berth
The Baltimore Ravens did make it to the AFC title game back in 2023, but they honestly choked that game away against the Kansas City Chiefs. With the Ravens bringing in a new head coach in Jesse Minter, the hope here is that his defensive prowess is going to be enough to stabilize that side of the ball, with the explosive ideally remaining healthy.
Cincinnati Bengals - Super Bowl appearance
The Cincinnati Bengals made it to the Super Bowl back in the 2021 NFL Season having a similar offseason that year as they are having this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Wild Card Round loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the most 9, 10 win team in the NFL until proven otherwise. There is so much 'good' with this team, but not nearly enough great for a deep playoff run.
Cleveland Browns - 5 wins
The Cleveland Browns may have the worst quarterback situation in the league, so there really isn't a path to much of anything this year.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars - AFC Divisional Round appearance
The Jacksonville Jaguars losing Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd in free agency is going to hurt, as this team won 13 games last year and got bounced out in the Wild Card Round by the Buffalo Bills. Year two for this operation could yield better results, but the loss of talent is notable.
Houston Texans - AFC Championship Game berth
Houston is good enough to get into the AFC title game this year, but CJ Stroud has been pretty average these past two seasons, and you really do not get the sense right now that Stroud's game is going to elevate enough for a Super Bowl berth.
Indianapolis Colts - No. 7 playoff seed
Indianapolis was 7-1 at one point in 2025 before things collapsed. If Daniel Jones can channel some of that first-half 2025 magic, the Colts could scrape together 9 or 10 wins and secure a Wild Card spot.
Tennessee Titans - 7 wins
Tennessee has a lot going for them right now, but this team is still a year or two away. A year two jump from Cam Ward could have the Titans as a frisky team that could play spoiler here and there.
AFC East
New England Patriots - Super Bowl champions
The New England Patriots did win the AFC last year but also got throttled in the Super Bowl. While some are fairly looking at the much tougher schedule, there is also a chance that this team is legitimate and can win it all in 2026.
Buffalo Bills - Super Bowl champions
Buffalo could finally get over the hump in 2026, perhaps. We have seen years of playoff heartbreaks, but perhaps the answer was Sean McDermott being replaced at head coach? Joe Brady is now in as the head coach and has been with the franchise, so this small, but also large change could push the team over the hump.
Miami Dolphins - 5 wins
Miami is embracing a rebuild and has a ton of unknowns all over the place. The Dolphins are years away from being a legitimate team at this point, and that's an optimistic timeline if they make all the right moves. The Dolphins could go backwards into five wins with a few bounces going their way.
New York Jets - 7 wins
The New York Jets, in their defense, added a ton of talent this offseason, and there is also a chance that Geno Smith is at least competent in 2026. The Jets could notch seven wins if things begin to fall into place.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Super Bowl champions
The Denver Broncos were a broken ankle away from perhaps winning it all in 2025, so let's not pretend like this team can't win the Super Bowl. With Jaylen Waddle added to the mix, the sky is truly the limit for this team.
Los Angeles Chargers - Divisional Round appearance
The Los Angeles Chargers have been to the playoffs three times in the Justin Herbert era. In those three games, the Chargers are 0-3 and have seen Herbert play atrocious football. There really isn't anything with this team in its current state that would make us believe 2026 could be much different, but Mike McDaniel being added as the offensive coordinator could help the team get into the second round.
Kansas City Chiefs - AFC Championship Game appearance
I am still rather low on the Kansas City Chiefs, but it does feel like the doubters pay the price sometimes. The roster is flawed, but Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid have been unstoppable at times. Kansas City isn't a Super Bowl team in its current state, but getting into another deep playoff run is on the table.
Las Vegas Raiders - 8 wins
I think in an ideal world, the Las Vegas Raiders get a serviceable year from Kirk Cousins and then hand the keys over to Fernando Mendoza in 2027. If Cousins can reach whatever his ceiling is with the Raiders, Vegas could suddenly turn into a competent franchise.
And Klint Kubiak could end up being a solid head coach. At best, the Raiders flirt with a winning record.