NFL power rankings: 5 best teams in the AFC
Looking at the 2021 NFL power rankings, it’s hard to see anybody atop the AFC other than the team which has won it the past two years.
5. Tennessee Titans
It was tough to pick the fifth AFC team. The Titans get the nod, though, because while we’re waiting to see whether Carson Wentz can elevate his play and ergo the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans have a quality signal-caller in Ryan Tannehill. While Tennessee has issues all over the defense, it did add edge rusher Bud Dupree and defensive lineman Denico Autry up front. If the draft comes up aces, the Titans are favorites in the division.
4. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are finally, mercifully, turning into a contender. Baker Mayfield rebounded with a quality 2020 after struggling through 2019, likely because of the influence of head coach Kevin Stefanski. Cleveland was quiet in free agency but made a couple of nice signings in corner Troy Hill and safety John Johnson III. With Odell Beckham Jr. coming back from his torn ACL, the Browns are poised to make a leap and could end up winning the AFC North.
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3. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has to be listed third, even though the Browns are hard-charging. The Ravens swept the Browns last year and have won the division two of the past three seasons, while Cleveland hasn’t won a division crown since the AFC Central was taken down in 1994. The Ravens have issues offensively, but adding Sammy Watkins and guard Kevin Zeitler are smart moves. However, can the edge rush survive without Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue?
2. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were terrific in 2020. Buffalo won 13 games and the AFC East for the first time since 1995. Under head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills are going to be perennial contenders if the roster is even halfway decent. Luckily for western New Yorkers, the roster is far better than that. Buffalo is clearly the division favorite and the biggest threat to our top team.
Read: NFL Power Rankings – Top 5 AFC Teams
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City may have been beaten in the Super Bowl, but the Chiefs remain Super Bowl favorites and certainly own the AFC until further notice. With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid as the NFL’s top duo, Kansas City has a significant edge over the competition. In fact, in 2020 against the four aforementioned teams, the Chiefs went 4-0 including two wins over Buffalo. The Chiefs remain on top until further notice.
