There is one more game in the AFC, as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the conference title game. The Broncos are playing this game without Bo Nix, but the team's defense is a good matchup for the New England offense, and Jarrett Stidham is a capable backup.
Anyway, even with all the parity in the NFL this year, you could argue that the four best teams from the regular season are the ones still alive. Furthermore, both no. 1 seeds are still in the mix, and in the AFC, the one and two seeds are the two teams left.
Even with the unexpected playoff picture that we ended up getting, the top teams are left. Ahead of the conference title games, and for one of the final times this year, let's power rank the AFC.
Updated AFC Power Rankings ahead of the conference title games in 2025
16. New York Jets
Not even registering an interception this year and not having a clear path to a young QB in 2026, the New York Jets might only be just getting started in terms of losing. This franchise is in a rough spot, to put it lightly.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza is eventually going to get drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, but only time will tell if he can be a franchise QB in this league. If not, the Raiders are going to fall behind for another few seasons.
14. Tennessee Titans
Robert Saleh is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans and might have a special QB in Cam Ward. I am not sure Saleh was a great hire, but he gets back into the HC ranks after just one year out of them. He was the 49ers DC in 2025.
13. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns definitely need a ton of help on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense is just about set. It will be interesting to see how the Browns use two first-round picks in April, as the 2025 rookie class from GM Andrew Berry was quite encouraging.
12. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are picking inside the top-10 in April and have to nail this pick, as it's not likely that they'll pick this high ever again in the Patrick Mahomes era.
11. Miami Dolphins
Miami hired Jeff Hafley as their head coach and are going to try and rebuild this roster to thrive late in the season, but the quarterback situation is a massive unknown at this point.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals can field an elite offense, but the defense has been a massive issue, and the roster has never really been built all that well. Even when the Bengals made the Super Bowl back in 2021, that offensive line was the worst in the league.
9. Indianapolis Colts
After a red-hot 7-1 start in 2025, things went off the rails for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts may have no choice but to run it back with Daniel Jones in 2026. If they can't get into the playoffs next year, I could see some major change taking place.
8. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh and will soon bring in a new staff to try and get the most out of what's left of the prime Lamar Jackson years. The Ravens can win the AFC North in 2026 given how bad the rest of the division is.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after nearly 20 seasons. Pittsburgh will have to not only ace this hire, but also get more serious about the QB position.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Unless the Chargers get serious about fixing this offensive line in the offseason, they'll continue to go one-and-done in the playoffs, and it's really that simple.
5. Houston Texans
Is CJ Stroud... bad?
No, really, is CJ Stroud a bad quarterback? After a breakout rookie season in 2023, Stroud has been, at best, a top-20 quarterback. Year four is going to be massive for him, one way or another.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a great season given the circumstances and will be just fine in the long run, but with how good this team was, you wonder if a year two regression for Liam Coen is on the horizon.
3. Buffalo Bills
Losing in typical Buffalo Bills playoff fashion in the Divisional Round, the team moved on from Sean McDermott and will bring in a new staff to try and get over the hump with a superstar QB.
2. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix broke his ankle near the end of the overtime period in the Denver Broncos Divisional Round victory. It's clear that not only is Nix a very good, franchise QB, but also that the Broncos are far from fraudulent. This team is going to be a massive problem for years to come.
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a win against a backup QB away from advancing to Super Bowl LX. It's hard to believe how quickly this team has turned things around, but that's what happens when the head coach and quarterback are great.