2025 NFL Predictions: AFC
Photo by Tina MacIntyre-Yee from The Democrat And Chronicle
The NFL season is almost upon us, which means that it is once again time for my very correct and smart playoff predictions and Super Bowl pick.
Today, we do the AFC. Tomorrow, the NFC.
Will the Chiefs continue their reign? Will the Bills or Ravens finally get over the hump? Will the Bengals actually make the playoffs again?
Let’s find out.
1. Buffalo Bills
Do I think the Buffalo Bills are the best team in the AFC? I don’t know. We’ll find out later.
But I do know they’re in an easy division with the Jets rebuilding (again) and the Dolphins having a weird offseason.
The division works out well for the Bills to get the one seed by seasons end.
The question is, what will the Bills do with it?
2. Baltimore Ravens
The defense was a little bit weak at the beginning of the year as they switched defensive coordinators, but in the back half of the year, the Ravens, shockingly, were excellent defensively.
Expect for that to continue this year, as well as Lamar Jackson being a superstar, and receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman continuing to improve.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs won a lot, a LOT, of close games last year, and the AFC West should be a very difficult division.
Some of those games will naturally turn into losses (or, at least, they should).
With all that being said, this is still the Chiefs.
AFC champions in 5 of the last 6 years, and AFC West champions for 9 seasons in a row.
Picking anyone else to win the West would be foolish.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Here’s a fun fact for you.
Since the NFL switched to the current era of divisions in 2002, the same four teams have not won their respective divisions three years in a row, in either conference.
Two years ago, it was Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Texans.
Last year? Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Texans.
History tells us that there will be at least one new division winner, and the other three seem like givens.
So I’m picking the Jags!
I like Liam Coen as a coach, I think Travis Hunter is going to be one of the most outstanding rookies in football, and Trevor Lawrence is going to thrive the most with a new coach and a new weapon.
5. Houston Texans
But that’s not to say the Texans won’t still be a playoff team.
They took a step back last year due to poor offensive line play.
But I’m not sure that they’ve fixed that, and because of injuries, I don’t love their weapons around C.J. Stroud.
Still, they’ll be a playoff team.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The bad news: Rashawn Slater’s season ending injury ruins the fact that the Chargers have the best tackle combo in football.
The good news: Joe Alt can slide over to left tackle and protect Justin Herbert’s blind side, and Jim Harbaugh will have this team incredibly well coached, as he always does.
Slater’s injury affects their chances at potentially being a title contender, but not their playoff status.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
I have a rule when it comes to hockey predictions.
I don’t care what the Buffalo Sabres do in the offseason. I will not pick them to make the playoffs until I see them do it.
And then, a couple of years ago, I had the same realization with the New York Jets when they got Aaron Rodgers.
I can’t pick them to make the playoffs. They haven’t earned it.
So where does that leave the Steelers?
I don’t think Aaron Rodgers is that good. I don’t think he and new receiver D.K. Metcalf will gel as well as others seem to think. I think the defense will be good, but the offense struggles that have been there for years will remain.
But all Mike Tomlin does is win 10 games a season and make the playoffs.
Why would I pick against that?
I’ll believe that they won’t when I see it.
Just Missing The Cut
Cincinnati Bengals
Two years ago, the Bengals missed the playoffs due to an injury to Joe Burrow.
Then, they had an entire offseason of noisy contract disputes, Joe Burrow came back healthy and had the best year of his career, and they once again missed the playoffs due to awful defensive play.
This offseason, more noisy contract disputes, including two of their pass rushers.
Why should I expect anything to be different?
Miami Dolphins
I have been a Dolphins believer for a while now.
But it’s time for me to quit. It’s necessary for my health.
The secondary isn’t very good. Star receiver Tyreek Hill is unhappy? Maybe? Or maybe the players are unhappy with him?
I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care.
I am a firm believer on vibes, and the vibes here are rotten.
Denver Broncos
The defense? Elite.
The offense? I don’t love it.
And while Bo Nix came on in the back half of the season, it was against some very weak defenses.
Not to mention, sophomore slumps exist for a reason.
The Broncos have arguably the worst QB in the division, and arguably the worst coach in the division.
Which is not to say Nix can’t be good or Sean Payton isn’t a good coach.
It’s just very hard to see them making the playoffs this year.
AFC Champion
I like the Bills a lot.
I like the Ravens a lot.
But remember what I said in the Steelers section of this post?
Why would I pick anyone different?
The Kansas City Chiefs win the AFC.
