Five AFC Teams Most Likely to Make Playoffs After Missing in 2021

The AFC saw the Bengals, Patriots, and Raiders all make the postseason in 2021 after missing the year prior. Who are the most likely teams to replicate their success?

The talent disparity between teams in the AFC and NFC is as far apart as I can personally ever remember. They’ve almost always had the leg up in the quarterback department, but it’s more than just that now. Arguably the best pass catcher in the game today, Davante Adams, traded in his Packers jersey for a shiny new Raiders uniform. Three of the best pass rushers (Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Chandler Jones) and two high end offensive linemen (Terron Armstead, Brandon Scherff) now call the AFC home.

Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan sports the Colts’ horseshoe on his helmet now, after spending the first 14 seasons with a Falcon on it. Marcus Williams (Ravens) and Amari Cooper (Browns) reside in the AFC North now, and Robert Woods (Titans) in the AFC South. That’s not even all the names, but I trust that you see the point: the AFC is STACKED.

There are upwards of a dozen different teams that have playoff hopes for 2022. The Chiefs, Raiders, Titans, Bengals, Steelers, Bills, and Patriots were the seven teams that represented the AFC in the playoffs last season. Of the other nine that did not make it, who are the most likely to take a spot? Let’s dive in and highlight a few.

Five AFC Teams Most Likely to Qualify for the 2022 NFL Postseason

5. Miami Dolphins (9-8 in 2021)

The Miami Dolphins made a splash on the trade market, sending five total picks to the Kansas City Chiefs for superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Cheetah got the monster contract that he was searching for, and thus will be in the Teal & Orange for the foreseeable future. General manager Chris Grier continued the offensive overhaul by bringing over Mike McDaniel, a Kyle Shanahan protege, to serve as head coach and play caller.

I’m not done yet. The Dolphins also signed left tackle Terron Armstead to a lucrative five-year deal, and he will serve as the Trent Williams of McDaniel’s system. Finally, the Chase Edmonds-Sony Michel-Raheem Mostert trio were all signed this offseason, guaranteeing headaches for fantasy football managers everywhere, but also increasingly the likelihood that Miami will have a healthy running back each week.

With a stacked defense, and now a stacked offense to match, the success of the team falls entirely on third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. His play style is similar to what Jimmy Garappolo does well, and I see McDaniel putting Tua in a position to succeed.