In 2025, the AFC’s top two teams in both the regular season and the playoffs were the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots. They stood No. 1 and No. 2 in the conference before meeting in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots, however, were outmatched in the Super Bowl by the Seattle Seahawks, who will be their Week 1 opponent in the opening game tonight.
Looking ahead to 2026, New England and Denver are expected to be strong again in the conference. But which team earns the top spot in our Week 1 AFC power rankings?
16. Cleveland Browns
The battle for the bottom of the AFC is tight, with the Browns and the Miami Dolphins in the mix. Deshaun Watson’s performance in Cleveland has been a major concern, and there’s little evidence that the status will improve soon. The decision not to start Shedeur Sanders has drawn scrutiny as part of a broader pattern of missteps.
15. Miami Dolphins
Miami faces a challenge at key skill positions, which could hinder development for quarterback Malik Willis in his first full season as a starter since reviving his career. Defensively, there are questions too, suggesting a difficult year unless significant progress occurs.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have made progress on the defensive side, but the offense remains a work in progress. The wide receiver room hasn’t been strengthened, and quarterback stability is in flux. An improved offensive line could help the run game, but it may not be enough to turn the season around.
13. Tennessee Titans
The 2026 season hinges on quarterback play from Cam Ward, who must show clear improvement in his second year. Tennessee reshaped its defense substantially, which could help keep games competitive, even if the offense remains a concern.
12. New York Jets
The Jets are in a transition phase, bridging to 2027 when a potentially deep quarterback draft class could be available. For now, Geno Smith mans the lineup, offering a modest upgrade at quarterback compared to prior seasons, but the defense is expected to struggle.
11. Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones revived his career last season, but injuries remain a recurring issue. Until Jones proves durability and consistency, the Colts aren’t ready to be considered playoff contenders in 2026.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
It’s unusual to see the Chiefs here, but entering 2026 they face questions about receiver playmakers, offensive line stability, and defensive losses. Patrick Mahomes keeps them in contention, but a tougher overall roster may limit upside.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
The health of Joe Burrow is critical for Cincinnati. Without a healthy Burrow, playoff contention would be unlikely. The defense also needs to show more consistency. If both sides click, the Bengals could win their division.
8. Baltimore Ravens
With defensive reinforcements and a healthy Lamar Jackson, Baltimore has a stronger outlook. The challenge is navigating a new offensive scheme in a division with slim margins for error, which could lead to bumps early in the season.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers added a much-needed receiver, but questions remain about how a veteran quarterback will mesh with the new offensive pieces. The defense should be solid, keeping them in the playoff hunt.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers should be entertaining on offense, provided the offensive line holds up. If they can protect Justin Herbert adequately, their high-powered attack and solid defense could push them into the upper tier.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence has the talent and weapons around him, and the offense has a strong supporting cast. The defense appears solid, though consistency, especially at quarterback, remains a concern. If Jacksonville can stabilize, they can contend for top spots.
4. Houston Texans
Houston, along with Denver, boasted one of the league’s top defenses last season. The key question is whether C.J. Stroud can recapture his rookie-year form. If he does, the Texans could rise quickly.
3. Buffalo Bills
The Bills made a notable addition at wide receiver with DJ Moore, addressing a major concern from last season. If Josh Allen remains healthy and sharp, Buffalo will continue to be a perennial AFC title contender.
2. New England Patriots
The Patriots are expected to contend despite a tougher 2026 schedule. The addition of A.J. Brown should bolster the receiving corps, offering a potential upgrade over last year. New England’s defense is likely to be solid, though depth could be a concern.
1. Denver Broncos
Denver appears the most complete team in the conference, boasting an elite defense and an offense capable of generating points led by Bo Nix. With another year of experience and the addition of Jaylen Waddle, Nix could emerge as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. If not for an injury in the previous season, the Broncos might have advanced further, and the projection for 2026 points toward a deep playoff run and a possible Super Bowl emergence.
