The NFL season has yet to disappoint. Well, besides the two losses my Philadelphia Eagles have so far. The 2025 NFL season has been one to remember, and has left fans wondering if it really is 2025. The New England Patriots are leading the AFC East for the first time since 2021, and the Indianapolis Colts and former-Giants Quarterback Daniel “Indiana” Jones are leading the AFC at 5-1. ]. Let’s take a look and see the records of each AFC team per division, and where I expect them to place.
AFC East:
New England Patriots: 4-2
Realistic Best: 12-5, Playoff Berth
Drake Maye and his Patriots have been on a resurgence. The post-Tom Brady Patriots haven’t even been a shell of their former self. With former coach Bill Belichick now at UNC, the Pats have delivered after a rebuild year last year. If they can keep this run up, with their relaxed schedule remaining, the six-time Super Bowl champions could easily gain a playoff berth, their first since the 2021 season.
Buffalo Bills: 4-2
Realistic Best: 13-3, AFC East Winners
The Buffalo Bills have started to gain steam over the past few years. While it may feel like the 1990s when they lose to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, I have hope for Bills fans. This very well could be revenge for the 1990s, 30 years later. If Josh Allen can lead his team to the Super Bowl, he’ll be immortalized by Bills Mafia. The craziest fans on planet Earth are yearning for another chance at a Super Bowl, is the fifth time the charm?
Miami Dolphins: 1-5
Realistic Best: 5-12
I’m going to be honest here. The fins are down for Miami fans. This has been a year to forget for Dolphins fans. Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t looked the same since his concussion last year, and with Tyreek Hill out for the season, there’s not much to look forward to in Miami. If they can surpass five wins on the season, color me surprised.
New York Jets: 0-6
Realistic Best: 5-12
It hasn’t been fun in New York this year. Not much has gone right for the Jets this year. It’s just been a down year, there’s no one reason that they’ve started 0-6. A tough start to the season schedule-wise put them at 0-5, but then a close loss to the Denver Broncos further worsened the record. This will be a season to forget for the Jets, and the fans will be looking forward to the start of next season, before this season ends.
AFC North:
Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-2
Realistic Best: 11-6, AFC North Champions
Aaron Rodgers is… leading a winning team? What year is it? The Steelers and Rodgers have been on a tear lately, and they show no signs of slowing. After years of close Playoff misses or no advancement in the Playoffs, the Steelers are looking to turn a new leaf. The Yinz are looking to return to their first Super Bowl in 15 years. I think that the possibility of a Bills-Steelers AFC Championship is higher than expected. It’s possible, but not as probable as Western Pennsylvanians would hope. Look for the Steelers to make a deep playoff run this season.
Cincinnati Bengals: 3-4
Realistic Best: 9-8
The road after losing Super Bowl LVI for the Bengals hasn’t been pretty. They’ve had some promising results, but with QB Joe Burrow sidelined for a lengthy period of time with turf toe, the rest of the season doesn’t look bright for the Bengals. With veteran QB Joe Flacco recently being traded to the team, the Bengals are looking to salvage their season, even with a 2-4 start. If Flacco can deliver, and Burrow returns as if nothing happened post-injury, they could squeeze out a 9-8 record at best. Whether or not this’ll be a playoff berth is up in the air. With a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, the Bengals are here to prove that they will not give up.
Baltimore Ravens: 1-5
Realistic Best: 7-10
The Ravens have been on a steep decline. After a cycle of competitive seasons, the Ravens haven’t been looking like their former selves, and for what’s to blame, I’m not sure. No season-shattering injuries, no tough schedule, just a falloff in performance. Their lone win came against the Cleveland Browns, and granted, they’ve had close games before. Their 40-41 loss against Buffalo, and 30-38 loss to the Lions were winnable games, but they couldn’t close the deal. I’ll be watching closely to see what they can manage throughout the rest of the season.
Cleveland Browns: 1-5
Realistic Best: 5-12
The Cleveland Browns aren’t perennial playoff contenders. In fact, they’ve only had three in the 21st Century. With 41 different Quarterbacks since 1999, they’ve yet to find stability. It’s hard to climb from the bottom of the league in the NFL, but it’s not impossible. The Browns are trying to improve, but to no avail. I really don’t expect much from the Browns this season.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: 5-1
Realistic Best: 13-4, AFC South Champions
Much to the dismay of Giants fans, Daniel Jones is becoming a franchise Quarterback in Indianapolis. “Indiana” Jones has led the Colts to a 5-1 start, and they’ve shown no signs of slowing. I expect the Colts to make a deep playoff run, and challenge AFC dynasties like the Chiefs and Bills.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-2
Realistic Best: 10-7, Playoff berth
The Jaguars have been on a good start for their organization. Rookie Head Coach Liam Coen made headlines for all the wrong reasons with his horrendous, albeit his first, attempt at a “DUVALLLLL” chant, but his coaching has led the team to a good start. The Jags need to keep this hot streak going if they want to play into late January, and they know that if they can make the playoffs, they’ll put on a show.
Houston Texans: 2-3
Realistic Best: 9-8
The Texans haven’t been having a good year. After making the playoffs last year, many expected the Texans and C.J. Stroud to return to the playoffs, but early on in the season, this doesn’t look likely. All their losses have been close, but in the NFL, losses matter more than wins. If the Texans can’t start winning their close games, then a Playoff berth may be out of sight. The Texans are hungry for vengeance in the Playoffs, and it’ll be a battle to get there.
Tennessee Titans: 1-5
Realistic Best: 4-13
The first overall pick in the NFL Draft usually helps out a franchise that’s on a decline. This hasn’t been the case for the Titans. Rookie QB Cam Ward has been critical of the team, and fans have too. It’s been a steady stream of losing seasons in Tennessee, and yet again, the Titans are on the verge of another season to forget. The Titans aren’t going to be Playoff contenders this year, but with a good draft next year, maybe they can break through.
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers: 4-2
Realistic Best: 12-5, AFC West Champions
The Chargers started off the NFL season with a bang. The first game of the season against the dynasty-building Chiefs, Justin Herbert and the Chargers silenced Kansas City-faithful and beat the Chiefs, giving the Chiefs their first 0-1 start since 2015. The Chargers have potential. While the Philadelphia Eagles broke up the three-peat that the Chiefs were attempting, the Chargers have a chance to stop the dynasty. If they win the AFC West, the dynasty is over, and the Chargers will have an opportunity to prove to the world that they are ready for January and February football.
Denver Broncos: 4-2
Realistic Best: 10-6
The Broncos have been on the rise since Bo Nix came to town. With a Playoff berth last year, the Broncos proved that they are here to win. I think that if they continue with their momentum, they can make a heavy impact on the Playoff picture. Look for the Broncos to perform throughout the rest of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs: 3-3
Realistic Best: 10-7
The Chiefs have fallen from grace. After many AFC Championships, they’ve lost the #1 spot in the AFC. The start of the season was sloppy for the Chiefs, but they have proven they can still get it done, and they’ve improved to 3-3 after starting 0-2. If the Chiefs can manage a Playoff berth, the “Mahomes Magic” may come back.
Las Vegas Raiders: 2-4
Realistic Best: 6-10
The Raiders haven’t truly settled into Las Vegas yet. It’s only been a few years, and there hasn’t been long-term success for the franchise since leaving Oakland. They’re on a down year, and I don’t see it getting much better. Overall, the Raiders will be looking forward to next year.
Now that we’ve recapped the AFC, here are my playoff matchups.
(4) Denver Broncos (1) Buffalo Bills
(5) Kansas City Chiefs
(3) Los Angeles Chargers
(6) Pittsburgh Steelers
(7) Jacksonville Jaguars
(2) Indianapolis Colts
