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

By Hunter Haas

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 31: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 31: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) /
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Mar 22, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Matt Ryan (2) holds up his new uniform after a press conference to announce his joining of the team at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Matt Ryan (2) holds up his new uniform after a press conference to announce his joining of the team at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Indianapolis Colts (9-8 in 2021)

Following the trend of a team being a quarterback away, enter the Indianapolis Colts. They have as strong of a roster as any team, but have faced the same issues as Miami and Denver in terms of unsteady quarterback play.

Matt Ryan is not what he used to be, but his experience and overall accuracy will be welcomed in Indy. General Chris Ballard took a big swing but missed with Carson Wentz. Even then, the team came within a week 17 collapse of making the playoffs. After adding Yannick Ngakoue and Stephon Gilmore, the defense is far and away the best that Ryan has ever had behind him. The same can be said about Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line, as he’s never had a running back of that caliber or an offensive line capable of keeping him consistently clean.

The Colts will go as far as Matt Ryan and the wide receivers take them. They are my pick to win the AFC South, which would be the first time since Andrew Luck did so in 2014.

1. Baltimore Ravens (8-9 in 2021)

The Baltimore Ravens were in complete control of their destiny in the AFC North before Lamar Jackson went down with an injury. They opened the season 8-3 but went on to lose their final six contests without their former MVP at quarterback.

While Jackson’s numbers don’t jump off the page, he was still on pace for 64% completion, 24 passing touchdowns, 4200+ passing yards, and 1100+ rushing yards. Quarterback wins are a flawed statistic, but it is impossible to ignore Lamar’s sparkling 37-12 record as a starter. The Ravens added premier talent in the NFL Draft with instant starters Tyler Linderbaum and Kyle Hamilton being brought in to the fold.

Marcus Williams and Morgan Moses will grab starter spots too. The team did trade away their top target in the passing game, sending Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to Arizona. Rashod Bateman is a much different type of wide receiver, but I trust him to step in and claim the role of WR1 on the offense. Assuming Lamar Jackson is healthy, I have them winning the AFC North with an upgraded roster.

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