2023 AFC Overview – NFL
View the 2022 Conference Standings here
The 2023 National Football League season is set to be a thrilling one. Especially in the AFC, where you have the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs there, but also teams like the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers knocking at the door. Oh, yeah, Aaron Rodgers moved from the NFC to the AFC. We expect the AFC to be as thrilling as ever.
2023 AFC Overview – Odds to win
Before we give you an update on all 16 AFC teams, the odds to win the AFC have been updated:
- Kansas City Chiefs +350
- Buffalo Bills +450
- Cincinnati Bengals +550
- New York Jets +1000
- Baltimore Ravens +1000
- Miami Dolphins +1200
- Los Angeles Chargers +1300
2023 AFC Overview – Teams
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East. The Bills are the team that experts keep talking about season after season, but have yet to get to a Super Bowl under the leadership of Josh Allen. Buffalo added Damien Harris (3) to the mix, he should be able to help with changing of pace at the running back position for the Bills.
Miami Dolphins
Mike McDaniel knows he has a talented team in Miami, but they still have plenty of work to do. Keeping Tua upright should be the most important aspect of the training camp. Miami’s addition of Jalen Ramsey (4) was fantastic, but his injury in training camp killed the idea of that for most, if not all of the season. The Dolphins will be one of the more exciting offenses in all of the NFL to watch.
New England Patriots
The Patriots, since the departure of Tom Brady have kind of been the lost, forgotten team in the AFC East outside of Boston. New England added JuJu Smith Schuster (3) to bolster the receiving core, and James Robinson (3) should give them some carries in the backfield. In the end, the talent gap of what New England has to Buffalo, Miami and even the New York Jets is too great for even Bill Belichick to make up the difference.
New York Jets
The New York Jets were the talk of the off-season. The Jets added Aaron Rodgers (5) as their starting quarterback. A huge upgrade from many, many seasons of poor play at that position. With the addition of Rodgers means additions of Allen Lazard (4), Randall Cobb (2) and Mecole Hardman (4). Hardman should give Rodgers a deep threat, while Lazard and Cobb are two guys he is familiar with. The Jets have a lot of preseason hype, let’s see if they can hold up their end of the bargain.
Baltimore Ravens
The biggest news for Baltimore was the signing of Lamar Jackson to a contract extension. The Ravens have their signal caller, and are poised to make a push at the AFC North. The Ravens added a weapon in Odell Beckham Jr (4) in what could be the biggest boom or bust signing of the offseason.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals added a steady hand at tight end in Irv Smith (3). Cincinnati is hoping the health status of quarterback Joe Burrow is no longer an issue after he heals from his preseason injury. Cincinnati knows the loss of Burrow would be the biggest news for the organization in a season they have goals of getting back to the Super Bowl.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are excited to get a full season of DeShaun Watson behind center. Cleveland added Elijah Moore (4) to the mix of receivers, which should give him some weapons. Cleveland will still use the pound the ball on the ground and play a good defensive style of play, but have the ability to open it up a little more.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In another boom or bust type move, the Pittsburgh Steelers added veteran Allen Robinson (2) to the receiving core. Robinson will be part of a crew that’s looking for answers at the quarterback position in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett will get the 2023 season to show if he’s really the future going forward for Mike Tomlin’s squad.
Houston Texans
Outside of drafted rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the two biggest moves for the Texans were picking up running back Devin Singletary (3) and receiver Robert Woods (2). Both should help an offense that was pretty poor a season ago. The Texans also have a new head coach in DeMaco Ryans. The jury is still out on the new head coaching hire, but progress shown will be a win for the Texans in 2023.
Indianapolis Colts
There is really no other way to put it than it has been a disastrous off-season for the Indianapolis Colts. The way they handled the Jonathan Taylor saga has been less than great. Now, they have a quarterback controversy and a running back controversy. The Colts new head coach Shane Steichen will try to prove he’s ready for the challenge, but there will be many. Indianapolis added Gardner Minshew (2) to become the starting quarterback for a fully guaranteed 1 year,
Jacksonville Jaguars
The defending champions in the AFC South are favorites once again. This team was hot down the stretch, and look to carry that over to 2023. Trevor Lawrence is looking to ball out once again, this time running away with the division at a better record than 9-8 of a season ago. Jacksonville added D’Ernest Johnson (2) to the running back room to see if they can give them some work load.
Tennessee Titans
Is it Ryan Tannehill or is it Malik Willis? That is the question for many in Tennessee. Many do not expect the Titans to be any good, but the addition of DeAndre Hopkins (5) could be the signing of the year. He has a lot of life left in his professional athlete body, and is looking to show that. The Titans also added DL Arden Key (4) for a role much needed. The Titans are intriguing to follow in 2023.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a new head coach in Sean Payton. It’s probably the best hire they could make after the mess of 2022. Denver will be better under Payton and Russell Wilson, but how much better is the question. The AFC West is not an easy one to navigate through. Wilson got a new target in Marquez Callaway (3), and should be able to use Samaje Perine (3) to pick up some much needed yards along the way. But, again, the biggest addition for Denver was at the head coach spot.
Kansas City Chiefs
If your #1 key is to protect your quarterback, drafting Offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (4) is a good move. Taylor’s job is to keep Patrick Mahomes in his feet, and able to play 17 regular season games, and into the playoffs. The Mahomes to Kelce connection is back again, as they look for back to back Super Bowl titles, and third in the last five seasons.
Las Vegas Raiders
Out went Derek Carr to New Orleans, and in came Jimmy Garoppolo (4) to Vegas. Garoppolo is going to need to find Devante Adams, and find him early and often. The run game will need Josh Jacobs and need him badly. If they get those things, this team could compete. The trouble is – that’s a lot of if’s in a tough AFC West, where they sit as the favorite to finish last.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are the team this year that many are watching closely. Brandon Staley is back as the head coach, as this season could go one of two ways. Staley could be fired midseason for lack of ability to motivate a talented roster, or Staley could be Coach of the Year as his quarterback Justin Herbert balls out and the Chargers finally dominate. The Chargers added linebacker Eric Kendricks (3) to the mix in an effort to beef up the defensive unit.
There you have it. Those are the 16 AFC teams for 2023. We expect a great season, and some awesome games. Enjoy!
