The Kansas City Chiefs represented the AFC in last season’s Super Bowl. There are many quality teams in this conference. For example, Joe Burrow may have had the best season statistically by all the quarterbacks and the Bengals still missed the playoffs. With all the “young superstar” quarterbacks in the AFC, this is anyone’s conference on any given season. Will the Chiefs represent the AFC again or will there be new blood in the championship game? Let’s dive into the AFC and cook up a season-long pre-combine slip!
Three Favorites to Win the AFC Next Season Pre-Combine:
#3: Baltimore Ravens (+350)
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the best teams in the NFL, not just the AFC. We saw last season the addition of Derrick Henry paid dividends with him having almost 2k rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Lamar Jackson was excellent in the regular season, as he always is. The only question mark surrounding this team is when the playoffs come, which version of the Ravens are we going to see? With their only rivals being the Bills and the Chiefs, this team can easily make a conference championship.
In terms of offseason moves, they must address their secondary. It was horrendous for most of the season, giving up 244.1 passing yards per game which ranked 31st in the NFL. Baltimore only has $ 12.7 million in salary cap to spend this offseason. Unless they can release a few players or make some trades, this team is almost set. With offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley becoming a free agent, they must address their secondary and their tackle if Stanley would walk in free agency.
#2: Buffalo Bills (+350)
The Buffalo Bills are coming off a defeat in the AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs. With Josh Allen winning last season’s Most Valuable Player award, that is a great foundation to build on. Buffalo has arguably the second-best quarterback in the NFL with one of the best arms. The only issue with the Bills is that they are in the Chiefs conference. However, if the Bills can improve a secondary that was below average most of the season. They gave up 226.1 passing yards per game.
In terms of moves the Bills could make, they have been a team that has been linked to the Browns’ superstar Myles Garrett. However, they are $ 10 million over the cap. So there will be changes, but they might not all be good changes. We could see players like Von Miller be cut for salary cap reasons. Even at his older age, Miller is still a solid edge rusher. If Josh Allen can continue to be his dominant self and limit his turnovers again, I don’t see a reason why this team could eventually get past the Chiefs.
#1: Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the class of the AFC since Patrick Mahomes has taken over as the starting quarterback. Despite this team coming up short in the Super Bowl, the AFC is the Chiefs’ wheelhouse. They have won the conference in five of the last six seasons. It starts and ends with Mahomes and Andy Reid and with Travis Kelce leaning toward returning for next season, which brings back Mahomes’ favorite target. We saw Xavier Worthy have a great Super Bowl, another year under Reid’s offense and he could explode into the upper class of receivers in the NFL.
In terms of their salary cap situation, they only have $ 7.9 million in salary cap to spend this offseason. They will have to draft well to keep their dynasty going, which shouldn’t be an issue. Outside of the Eagles and Lions, the Chiefs have been one of the better teams over the past few seasons in terms of discovering talent and developing it. Trent McDufflie and George Karlaftis will continue to be young ascending stars in this league. As long as Mahomes and Ried are there, they are the team to beat in the AFC.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Kansas City Chiefs are the best team in the AFC by a wide margin. It is as simple as one team has the best coach/quarterback duo in the league and the other team doesn’t. It took an outstanding roster of the Eagles to prevent the NFL’s first three-peat. I expect this conference to belong to KC unless something drastic happens. This team is built to win now and continue their dominance over the AFC. Thank you so much for making us here at Total Apex Media part of your day!
