3. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens nearly won the AFC North last year, but thanks to a missed field goal, the division went to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens also hired Jesse Minter to replace John Harbaugh, and with Minter having enjoyed two insane seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator, there is reason to believe he can bring similar change to the Ravens unit.
Defenses are simply easier to build and improve year over year than offenses, but the Ravens already have a stellar offensive structure with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers, so a return back to the top of the AFC North feels likely.
2. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans still finished 12-5 despite an 0-3 start in the 2025 season. They found a way to get better on defense, signing Reed Blankenship, Jadeveon Clowney, and drafting Kayden McDonald. Houston's defense could be even better than it was in 2025.
Offensively, a trio of veterans entered the mix in Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith and the offensive line, and David Montgomery in the backfield. Overall, this could very well be the best roster in the NFL right now. Obviously, CJ Stroud is the wild card here, but it feels quite hard to see how he doesn't at least play competent football given how much talent is around him.
1. Denver Broncos
From top to bottom, the Denver Broncos are one of the more well-rounded teams in football. The coaching staff is excellent, the quarterback is ascending, and the entire roster is just loaded. The Broncos also sport the best collection of play in the trenches in the NFL, and this was the AFC's No. 1 seed last year, so with having done it recently, they've proven just how good they can be.
It'd not be shocking to see the Broncos reaching this peak again.
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