Chiefs, Bengals Remain On Top Of Updated AFC Power Rankings
By Hunter Haas
Our updated AFC Power Rankings see the Chiefs and Bengals stick up top, while the Raiders and Texans fall to the bottom.
It is a widely accepted train of thought to say the AFC is stronger from top to bottom compared to the NFC. Most of the disparity can be traced back to one position: quarterback.
Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, with the likes of Joe Burrow and Josh Allen right on his heels. Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence squared off in the 2022 postseason, the first of many playoff berths for each young signal-caller.
Not to mention, Lamar Jackson is back with the Ravens after securing a franchise-record contract from Baltimore this offseason. A new face in the crowd for 2023 is none other than Hall of Fame talent Aaron Rodgers. There is a real argument to be made that seven of the eight best quarterbacks in the NFL reside in the AFC.
Tua Tagovailoa, Kenny Pickett, and Mac Jones have all flashed to this point in their careers; any of the three could make a massive leap in development this coming season. Even veterans like Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, and Jimmy Garoppolo can claw their way up rankings with a successful 2023 campaign.
The AFC South is the biggest question mark, without a doubt. The Colts, Texans, and Titans drafted three of the top-rated passers in the 2023 NFL Draft. While Anthony Richardson, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis have the talent to transform a franchise, it is unfair to expect that in Year 1.
AFC Power Rankings (June Edition)
Aside from quarterback, defensive help and offensive weapons are the names of the game. In our updated AFC Power Rankings, the first few teams are locked in, but the middle of the pack gets interesting!