Bearing in mind the modifications to the playoff format and a brand-new signal-caller leading the most constant playoff contender, lets take a look at the AFC groups based upon how serious their opportunities are to win the American Football Conference. Well go by tiers from least likely to most likely, beginning with …
This season is slated to be the first with 14 playoff groups, rather than the 12-team playoff field the NFL has utilized given that 1990. The change comes from the new cumulative bargaining arrangement validated by owners and the gamers union in March. Each conference will send 7 groups instead of 6, and just the no. 1 seed in each conference will get a bye, instead of the no. 1 and no. 2 seed that got byes in previous years. The only distinction in the playoff schedule will be that wild-card weekend will feature six games instead of four.
The New England Patriots have actually won the AFC in 9 of the past 20 seasons. That is an exceptional stretch of dominance in contemporary football, however it appeared like the torch had actually been passed when Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was called consentaneous MVP following a 14-2 season. When Tom Brady bolted for the Buccaneers, leaving Jarrett Stidham as the Patriots presumptive starter, it seemed the Patriots were all but guaranteed to fall back to the rest of the pack. Then came Sundays discovery. The Patriots signed former MVP Cam Newton, who will likely be under center for the group this season, if hes healthy. Once again) have to reassess what the AFC landscape looks like entering the 2020 season– presuming there is a season, now we (.
Not a Chance in Hell
16. The Jacksonville Jaguars
The finest thing to state about the Jaguars is that Gardner Minshew II is fun, and perhaps even excellent. This team traded away their best players like cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye and protective end Calais Campbell. Their best staying protector, Yannick Ngakoue, wants to leave so badly he is feuding with the Jaguars owners boy on Twitter (its an amazing thread). The team also traded Nick Foles and tried to move star running back Leonard Fournette, but couldnt discover any takers. The chemistry on this group has been poisoned for at least 2 years, and head coach Doug Marrone remains in a dead heat with Detroits Matt Patricia to be the first coach fired throughout the season.
A Small Chance in Hell
New York Jets13. Miami Dolphins
That made sense thinking about Miamis front workplace tore the lineup down to the studs for a reconstruct, and the Dolphins ultimately set the record for players used in a single season. The Dolphins might have trouble at the start of the season with two brand-new organizers getting a late start to install their offense and defense, however this is a much more skilled– if more raw– group than last year.
The group likewise invested in totally free agency for the very first time in years to improve their defense, highlighted by Houston defensive take on D.J. Reader. Cincinnati went 0-8 in one-possession video games last year, one of the three worst marks in the last 50 years, which suggests their luck would enhance in 2020 even without the talent upgrades.
This is the first time the Jets have retained all three organizers (offense, defense, and special teams) with the very same head coach because 2011. New Yorks 6-2 finish consisted of wins over the Daniel Jones– led Giants, the Dwayne Haskins– led Washingtons, and the Mason Rudolph– led Steelers.
Their Fans Expect a Playoff Appearance
12. Los Angeles Chargers11. Cleveland Browns10. Las Vegas Raiders9. Denver Broncos
Take all the problems every team has to deal with preparing for a season throughout a pandemic, and then consider that every Raiders gamer had to move to Las Vegas this year. This is a make-or-break season for quarterback Derek Carr, who may not be the groups quarterback next year if this offense doesnt get rolling in 2020.
. The Browns face-planted after revealing their arrival too soon last year. This season its all organization. Baker Mayfield is on his fourth head coach in three seasons, consisting of interim Gregg Williams, which isnt excellent. Cleveland and the star-studded offense should find out a brand-new system in a shortened offseason, but Cleveland updated both take on areas. Mayfield may lastly have time to find a now-healthy Odell Beckham Jr., who dealt with a sports hernia all last season.
The Chargers missed out on the playoffs last year with Philip Rivers, and now they hand the secrets over to Tyrod Taylor and novice Justin Herbert. Taylor is the opposite of Rivers. He wont make deep tosses however also will not recklessly turn the ball over. Herbert will be a project. Whoever is at quarterback, this group is most likely taking a step back in 2020, even with an enhanced defense after signing cornerback Chris Harris Jr
Denver has actually accumulated a young offending core around 2019 second-round passer Drew Lock, who is John Elways most current dart throw at quarterback. Lock certainly has the high draft picks around him to prosper. At receiver, Courtland Sutton was a 2018 second-rounder, Iowa tight end Noah Fant was a 2019 first-rounder, Alabama rookie Jerry Jeudy is a 2020 first-rounder, and Penn State rookie KJ Hamler is a 2020 second-rounder. While the skill is not a problem, youth and limited practice time might be. Head coach Vic Fangios defense needs to take an action up after the unit dropped from leading 5 in context-adjusted effectiveness in 2018 to hardly above league average in 2015, according to Football Outsiders.
The AFC South
The Colts were beleaguered by injuries to key factors and had to deal with Andrew Lucks stunning retirement shortly prior to the season. This year, Indianapolis is switching quarterbacks once again, going from Jacoby Brissett to Philip Rivers. A modification under center might be difficult for many teams when facing a reduced offseason, however Riverss familiarity with the Colts personnel will make his transition smoother than many. The Colts return 20 starters, including their entire offensive line, which was the healthiest in the NFL in 2019 and may be the leagues best entering 2020.
Houston Texans6. Tennessee Titans
The Houston Texans have had the most ridiculous offseason in current memory. Head coach/general manager Bill OBrien traded super star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for a second-rounder and running back David Johnson, who had 18 carries in his final 7 games. The Hopkins offer aside– and its difficult to put it aside– Houstons worst moves have actually been ones that will rob them in future seasons, not 2020. The Texans have actually won the division four times in the last 5 years, and they might do so again in 2020.
The Titans made the AFC national championship in 2015 after a spectacular upset over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, which upset came after the Titans astonishingly changed into the leagues most efficient offense with Ryan Tannehill. When Tannehill took over, practically every crucial efficiency stat was led by the Ravens, Chiefs, or Titans. Whether Tennessee can keep that up is anybodys guess, however offending planner Arthur Smith has actually been a discovery so far.
Super Bowl Contenders
Pittsburgh Steelers3. New England Patriots
Lets go out of order and attend to the Steelers. Pittsburghs defense quietly leads the league in sacks each of the last three years. In that time they have 20 more sacks than the second-best group (New Orleans), led by budding superstar T.J. Watt, who has the fifth-most sacks (34.5) in the NFL in that time. In the secondary, Minkah Fitzpatrick may be Pittsburghs finest defensive back considering that Troy Polamalu in his prime. This defense was so excellent they nearly dragged the team to the playoffs in spite of starting somebody named Duck at quarterback for the majority of the season. For all the hoopla about New England and San Franciscos defenses, Mike Tomlins squad might be simply as good this year. If Ben Roethlisberger remains healthy, the Steelers could be the contender hiding in plain sight.
The most likely scenario appears to be that Newton will be the most overqualified game manager considering that Peyton Manning in 2015 (who, paradoxically, beat Newton in the Super Bowl). Compared to that bunch, New Englands much-derided group of Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, and NKeal Harry looks regal, and New Englands offensive line is far much better than what Cam had in Carolina. Toss in the training advantages Belichick brings in a season in which training will be more essential than ever, and 12-to-1 Super Bowl odds may be enticing.
New England has won the division 17 of the previous 19 years (89.5 percent), a greater rate than Michael Jordan sank totally free throws or condoms prevent pregnancies. This year looks like the very first Buffalo could win the department in the 21st century. While nobody doubts that Newton is one of the finest quarterbacks in football when healthy, the Panthers most likely wouldnt have actually cut him (and 30 teams probably would not have actually passed on him) if he were his typical self.
Super Bowl Favorites
1b. Kansas City Chiefs1a. Baltimore Ravens
But the Ravens get approval after likewise returning all of their planners, all 17 assistant coaches, and every starter other than future Hall of Fame guard Marshal Yanda, who retired after the season. They improved their defense significantly by adding Calais Campbell, and they have an entire offseason to tinker with the offense that set the record for hurrying lawns and rushing backyards per attempt in the Super Bowl era. Likewise, the Ravens had among the finest four defenses in football, which combination is why they went 14-2 and made the 1-seed in 2015. In 2020, Baltimore has among the 4 easiest schedules, according to Warren Sharp. Only one AFC team is getting a bye in 2020, and the Ravens appear like the most likely candidate.
The chemistry on this team has been poisoned for at least two years, and head coach Doug Marrone is in a dead heat with Detroits Matt Patricia to be the very first coach fired throughout the season.
Choosing in between these teams needs splitting hairs, and the Ravens win the tiebreaker because (cliché alert) they are hungrier. Kansas City is the defending Super Bowl champ with the uncommon difference of returning all three planners, 20 of 22 starters, and 22 of 23 assistant coaches from their championship squad.
Take all the problems every group has to deal with preparing for a season during a pandemic, and then consider that every Raiders gamer had to move to Las Vegas this year.
The Dolphins might have trouble at the start of the season with two brand-new organizers getting a late start to install their offense and defense, but this is a much more skilled– if more raw– group than last year.
The Patriots signed former MVP Cam Newton, who will likely be under center for the team this season, if hes healthy. Now we (as soon as again) have to reassess what the AFC landscape looks like going into the 2020 season– assuming there is a season.
