The AFC could be a very deep conference in the 2025 NFL Season. Let's make record predictions for each team as preseason rolls on. Last year, there were some shocking events that went down in the AFC.
The Cincinnati Bengals totally missed the playoffs and were bounced out in the final week by the Denver Broncos, of all teams. The Los Angeles Chargers also shocked the NFL world a bit and more than doubled their win total from the season prior.
Well, the conference could again be wild and hectic as the 2025 NFL Season approaches, but as preseason finishes up, let's make record predictions for all 16 AFC teams.
Predicting records for each AFC team as the NFL preseason rolls on
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: 13-4
With another top-tier roster, the Baltimore Ravens are set up to win a metric-ton of games in the 2025 NFL Season, but it's a totally different story when the playoffs roll around. They have not won multiple games in the postseason since 2012, and that's pretty telling, but when you look at the rest of the AFC North, it is hard to predict any team but Baltimore winning the division.
Cincinnati Bengals: 10-7
The Trey Hendrickson situation is still lingering over the Cincinnati Bengals' heads, but what if this team does field an average defense in 2025? The defense really doesn't have to be all that good given how elite the offense is. This team has gone 9-8 in each of the past two seasons, so a 10-7 record really isn't that crazy to predict.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-8
There are a ton of notable names on the Pittsburgh Steelers, but most of them just aren't the players they once were, so I would not expect the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers to be any different than some of the prior teams we have seen. Aaron Rodgers is the QB and is likely playing just one year, and that might not be enough for them to get their chemistry down.
Cleveland Browns: 4-13
Joe Flacco is the starting QB of the Cleveland Browns, but it's likely in my eyes that rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will see the starting lineup at some point. No matter how you slice it, the Browns just won't be that good this year.
AFC South
Houston Texans: 11-6
With the best roster in the division and a revamped offensive line, the Houston Texans could be in line for a ton of success in the 2025 NFL Season. The OL was a disaster in 2024 and a primary reason why this team was not any better from 2023 when they shocked the NFL world.
CJ Stroud is entering a crucial third year in the NFL, as in 2023 and 2024, Houston has gone 10-7, won the AFC South, and won one playoff game, and they can't keep doing that forever. Well, they improve on their win total from 2024 and see a modest improvement.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-9
I do like the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2025 NFL Season, but this operation could take more than a year to get off the ground. Liam Coen should be able to stabilize the offense, but the roster does need more talent, and we're honestly not sure if Trevor Lawrence is actually the guy.
However, there are bits and pieces of a great roster here, and believe it or not, but former GM Trent Baalke did not leave this roster as much of a mess as you might think. Jacksonville goes 8-9 in our AFC record predictions for 2025.
Tennessee Titans: 6-11
The Tennessee Titans winning six games in the 2025 NFL Season would honestly be a huge plus for 2026 and beyond. They took Cam Ward with the first overall pick and do have a project on their hands. The roster needs another offseason or two of more talent, and Ward simply needs to develop.
There isn't a ton to like with this team, but like the Jaguars, they have bits and pieces of potentially being great.
Indianapolis Colts: 5-12
The Indianapolis Colts are really in a tough spot - GM Chris Ballard has done pretty well in the NFL Draft and has built a strong roster, but he's also missed on the most important position in all of sports. Neither Daniel Jones nor Anthony Richardson is going to be any good in the 2025 NFL Season, so the Colts will not only win a handful of games, but we could see some major changes coming as well. Indy is last at 5-12 in our record predictions.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: 14-3
With an easier schedule in 2025, the Buffalo Bills will race toward yet another AFC East title. The other three teams in the division just aren't quite ready to contend yet, and Buffalo now does have the reigning MVP in Josh Allen. On paper, this could be the best roster in the NFL, but like the Baltimore Ravens, this team wants to get into the playoffs and make a Super Bowl run, something they have failed to do.
Earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs is on the table for the Bills.
New England Patriots: 8-9
One team I love to breakout a bit in the 2025 NFL Season is the New England Patriots. They could finish second in the division on the heels of a year two breakout from Drake Maye and overall sound coaching. There has been a lot of change with this franchise in the offseason, so it might take until 2026 for this team to really get on the map, but they are as obvious a team as any to win way more than they did in 2024.
Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels, and Drake Maye are what this team needs to succeed.
Miami Dolphins: 8-9
It'll be another 'whatever' year from the Miami Dolphins, and if they do finish 8-9, I would expect some major changes to be made. Tua Tagovailoa is their starting QB, and he simply struggles to stay on the field. Furthermore, it's not clear if Mike McDaniel is the right head coach to lead this team for the long-term.
Roster-wise, Miami isn't great, either, and that falls on the shoulders of GM Chris Grier. Don't expect much from this team in the 2025 NFL Season, as Miami is again going to miss the playoffs.
New York Jets: 6-11
The New York Jets are going to be a bad football team in the 2025 NFL Season. Justin Fields is their starting QB, so that takes them out of most games, but having a year one coaching staff will be the icing on the cake. This is going to be a long-term rebuild in New York, so they themselves probably do not have 2025 on their radar as being a legitimate year to compete.
Six games feels a bit rich, actually, but let's try to be a little bit optimistic with this team heading into the 2025 NFL Season. The Jets are last in the AFC East in our record predictions.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 12-5
Let's do it - the Denver Broncos have added a ton of talent over the past few seasons and are the most talented team in the AFC West on paper. We've also got the strong possibility that second-year QB Bo Nix makes a huge leap. Across the final eight games of the 2024 NFL Season, Nix was on a 45-touchdown pace, which is insane production. Defensively, Denver isn't flawed, as that unit could be the league's best in 2025. Overall, there isn't much to dislike about this team.
Kansas City Chiefs: 12-5
Winning all of their one-score games in the 2024 NFL Season, the Kansas City Chiefs are seeing the margin for error get smaller and smaller. They just do not blowout teams anymore and have turned into a dink-and-dunk offense. Statistically speaking, Patrick Mahomes has not been nearly as efficient as he was on previous seasons. While this is still obviously a playoff team, the Chiefs will see their nine-year run atop the AFC West come to an end in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-7
Did the Los Angeles Chargers really do all that much to get better in the offseason? It's actually been a bit of a dysfunctional period after a very encouraging year for the Bolts, and I don't get the sense that this team is much better than they were in 2024. If there is any team in the NFL who fits the 'high floor, low ceiling' category, it's this one.
While the Chargers are a safe bet to get into the playoffs in 2025, it's not likely they are better than they were in 2024.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be better on paper than they were in 2024, but the duo of Pete Carroll and Geno Smith isn't going to be enough to make much progress in the AFC West. The rest of the roster is average at best. There are massive concerns along the offensive line and all over the defense. The Raiders could be a lot better in 2026, but 2025 is a lost cause for this franchise.