The AFC is once again poised to be a very tough conference, and sorting through all of the potential playoff teams is challenging. There are surely at least 10 teams, probably more, in the AFC that can compete for a postseason spot. It's a loaded conference and clearly better than the NFC. Well, last year, the Chiefs once again represented the AFC in the Super Bowl.
In taking down the San Francisco 49ers, they won their their third Super Bowl in five seasons. They surely hope to be the first NFL team to win three in a row, but with how talented the AFC is, another team might have something to say about that.
Let's try to predict the seven AFC playoff teams in 2024.
Way too early AFC playoff predictions for the 2024 NFL Season
No. 7 Seed: Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills might be in a line for a bit of a regression this year, as they have had to part with a plethora of veteran players to get their cap situation in a good spot and to bring in some young and cheaper talent. This doesn't mean the Bills won't make the postseason, but it might be a more modest season for Buffalo, who is notably without Stefon Diggs. How will Josh Allen look without an elite WR?
His turnovers were a huge issue even with Diggs there, but without him, the Bils might have to deal with them at a higher rate.
No. 6 Seed: Baltimore Ravens
With Joe Burrow surely set to return to the lineup and the Ravens losing some talent in the offseason, I do not believe it's a slam-dunk that they again win the AFC North. There is nothing wrong with a Wild Card berth, but the bigger picture here is the Ravens perhaps underachieving with Lamar Jackson at QB. Is that the fault of the head coach?
Is it the fault of Lamar Jackson not being great in the postseason? Why haven't the Ravens gotten over the hump in over a decade?
No. 5 Seed: Cleveland Browns
Another Wild Card playoff appearance for the Cleveland Browns is coming. The main issue or question mark with this team is how Deshaun Watson is going to play in 2024. He was in and out of the lineup in 2023 with injuries, and did end up missing a good chunk of the season. Watson has liked quite poor during his brief stint with the Browns, so it is worth wondering if his best days are behind him.
If that is the case, the Browns may not make the postseason at all, but perhaps Watson falls somewhere in the middle and the Browns can scrape together 10 or 11 wins in 2024.
Way too early AFC playoff predictions for the 2024 NFL Season
No. 4 Seed: Miami Dolphins
I do believe there is an opening for the Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East this year. The Buffalo Bills have subtracted a good bit this offseason, as they entered with some cap troubles. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have loaded up a good bit and look like the much better team on paper. The Dolphins do tend to struggle late in the season when it gets colder, but maybe 2024 is different.
While Josh Allen is better than Tua Tagovalioa, the Dolphins can squeeze the division title out in 2024.
No. 3 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs, I predict, will not earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC this year. With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in the mix, they'll always be Super Bowl contenders. The Chiefs extended TE Travis Kelce and DT Chris Jones this offseason, but did trade CB L'Jarius Sneed. They added WRs Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, but could lose Rashee Rice for an extended time due to his off-field issues this offseason.
No. 2 Seed: Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow just needs to play a full season, which is shockingly something he has never done. When Burrow is healthy and on the field, the Bengals might be the only team who can take down the Kansas City Chiefs. Their additions on offense in Trent Brown, Zack Moss, and Mike Gesicki are modest, but should pay nice dividends.
Defensively, they added S Geno Stone from the Baltimore Ravens and DT Sheldon Rankins from Houston Texans. Cincy should be in a great spot for 2024 if Burrow's wrist can get healthy.
No. 1 Seed: Houston Texans
My prediction for the Super Bowl Champions in 2024, the Houston Texans went 10-7 last year with a rookie head coach and rookie QB. Their all-in mentality this offseason have set them up to run all over the AFC South and cruise to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Texans notably added DE Danielle Hunter and WR Stefon Diggs.
They also beefed up their secondary and took care of some of their own players. Overall, there aren't a lot of weaknesses on the Texans roster, and they look like a very strong Super Bowl contending team in 2024.