Who Should The New England Patriots Fear Most In the AFC?

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

They got their rings and continue to celebrate, but the NFL doesn’t linger too long on saluting its champions. Already the league is working on ways to make sure they don’t repeat, something no team has done since they did way back in 2003 and 2004. Over a decade. Can the New England Patriots pull it off, or will another contender arise to unseat them?

Based on the current landscape, here are the teams in the AFC ranked as best equipped to take down the champs.

#5: Indianapolis Colts

It’s hard to justify putting the Indianapolis Colts on this list given the drubbings they’ve endured at the hands of the Patriots in their two previous playoff meetings. Combined they were outscored 88-31. New England just seems to have their number. Still, the Colts have done some heavy work to improve their roster this season and have, at least on paper. Andrew Luck is getting better and has the look of a man whose time is coming.

#4: Pittsburgh Steelers

Another team the Patriots have tormented for years. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-3 in the playoffs against New England since 1996 and have never beaten them under Bill Belichick. Even so, Ben Roethlisberger is playing some of the best football of his career and has stacked cupboard of weapons at his disposal. If the Steelers can figure out their defense, then they have what it takes to take on the Pats.

#3: Kansas City Chiefs

Some teams just have the formula that makes them a bad matchup for another. New England found that out the hard way when they got hammered last year by the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid is a veteran coach who knows how Belichick operates and has long seen what it takes to beat the Patriots: strong defense, power running and mistake-free passing. They executed that to perfection in their last meeting in a 41-14 blowout. If the Chiefs reach January, one can bet that’s an opponent to watch out for.

#2: Denver Broncos

It’s worth noting that Peyton Manning is one of only two quarterbacks in the AFC who have more than one win in the playoffs against the New England Patriots. He beat them in the 2006 AFC championship and again in the 2013 AFC championship. Though he’s 39-years old, he still has some magic left and a really good Denver Broncos roster around him. If he can stay healthy and the team plays up to its customary level, they have enough to do it.

#1: Baltimore Ravens

No team has given the Patriots more fits over the past six seasons than the Baltimore Ravens. Twice since 2009 they have knocked New England from the playoffs and two other times came seconds away from doing it again. If not for a dropped pass and missed field goal they would’ve in 2011 and last season their defense failed to protect two 14-point leads in a thriller. Baltimore has the competant coaching, solid all-around roster and playoff experience to not be in awe of the Patriots. That is what makes them the most dangerous AFC threat.

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