sportingnews
As the NFL trade deadline passed, the AFC playoff landscape was relatively clear, with a distinct group of teams positioning themselves for a postseason push. Five teams have two or fewer wins, and both the Raiders and Ravens are trending downward, leaving nine teams with legitimate playoff aspirations: the seven currently in playoff spots, plus the Browns and Texans, who have their own reasons for optimism.
It's plausible that the same seven teams currently in playoff position will remain there through the end of the regular season. But among them, who holds the edge? Here's a post-deadline ranking of the AFC contenders.
1. Buffalo Bills (7-1)
The Bills may not have the most complete roster in the AFC—or perhaps they do—but they have Josh Allen. Past shortcomings aside, droughts are meant to be broken, and teams should be judged on the present. Right now, Buffalo has what it takes to win the AFC, especially with a leg up on the rest of the field for a first-round bye. The Bills didn't need to bolster their offense at the deadline, but adding safety Amani Hooker was a smart move after C.J. Gardner-Johnson's release. Buffalo doesn't want to put Allen in a position where he must win every playoff game in a shootout. After two strong defensive showings and Hooker's arrival, there's real hope the defense can hold up down the stretch and make this season different.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)
The Jaguars have emerged as the Bills' top challenger in the AFC. Jacksonville already had Trevor Lawrence playing some of the best football of his career and a plethora of weapons around him. Now, a defense that was previously vulnerable has added three key pieces in Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates, and Davon Godchaux. Davis has had a more challenging year, but he and Godchaux fill the void left by the injured DaVon Hamilton, while Bates addresses a major need in the secondary. The Jaguars were already a top contender before the deadline and emerged as an even better team.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
The Chiefs have flaws, but they also have Patrick Mahomes. Andy Reid hasn't seen Mahomes play at his usual MVP level this season, as the two-time MVP has been limited to shorter throws, but an offense that relies on yards after the catch has really only flopped in one game. Kenneth Walker III has added a new dynamic, and the arrival of Josh Downs gives Kansas City another competent pass-catcher. With Mahomes under center and Steve Spagnuolo's defense always prepared for the stretch run, the Chiefs still strike fear into opponents.
4. Denver Broncos (7-2)
The Broncos are probably comfortable with no one believing in them, but there should be legitimate questions about Denver's ceiling in a more traditional year when more premier quarterbacks will be in the AFC playoffs. Denver passed on trading for a running back, meaning the backfield will remain by committee and keep more pressure on Bo Nix. Can the offense do enough to get by? One advantage the Broncos do have is an AFC West lead, which could remain intact through the end of the season because the Chiefs have a difficult stretch of games starting on Thanksgiving.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
The Bengals haven't always passed the eye test this season, and their defense isn't going to intimidate anyone in the playoffs, but they know what works for them: throwing the football. Joe Burrow is playing out of his mind at the moment, and both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins appear to be healthy and loaded with confidence. As long as that remains the case, Cincinnati can beat anyone.
6. New England Patriots (5-4)
The Patriots are the one current AFC playoff team that could be in trouble, especially if the Ravens get themselves together or the Texans make a surge. New England's pass defense caved in against the Packers, and injuries to both wide receivers and running backs have left Drake Maye low on options offensively. Injuries are going to leave the Patriots undermanned against the Lions on Sunday, and a .500 record with seven weeks to go could spell danger for a team that would be one of the AFC's best at full strength.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Are the Steelers really a 6-2 team? Probably not. Pittsburgh has just one win against a team currently in a playoff spot, and most wins have been too close for comfort. The Steelers are going to come back down to Earth unless Mike McCarthy can really get the offense going, but with six wins already on the board, the math certainly works in Pittsburgh's favor when it comes to securing a playoff berth.
Originally reported by sportingnews.