The Top 5 Teams in the AFC Entering the 2026-27 Season

Every season, the AFC seems to get tougher. The conference is loaded with franchise quarterbacks, experienced coaches, and teams that believe they can make a Super Bowl run. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix headline a group of quarterbacks capable of carrying their teams deep into January.

Ranking the conference isn’t easy. Teams such as Houston, Cincinnati, the Chargers, Steelers, and Jaguars all have strong cases. Still, when looking at quarterback play, roster construction, coaching, and recent success, these are the five AFC teams that stand out heading into the 2026 season.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo gets the top spot because the Bills continue to do one thing better than almost everyone else: they consistently put themselves in position to contend. Josh Allen remains one of the NFL’s elite players and enters the season healthy. Buffalo also returns reigning rushing champion James Cook and added DJ Moore to an offense that already had plenty of firepower. The offensive line remains one of the strengths of the roster, giving Allen the protection needed to maximize his talents.

The biggest question surrounds the defense as the Bills transition to a new scheme under coordinator Jim Leonhard. If that adjustment goes smoothly, Buffalo has as much overall talent as any team in football.

The Bills are +475 to win the AFC and +1000 to win the Super Bowl at SportsBetting.ag sportsbook.

Kansas City Chiefs

It would be foolish to overlook a team led by Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs endured a disappointing season last year, but injuries played a significant role in that outcome. Mahomes remains the standard by which every AFC quarterback is measured, and Kansas City spent the offseason improving the talent around him.

Kenneth Walker III gives the offense another dynamic playmaker, while Travis Kelce remains a dependable target. Defensively, the Chiefs added youth through the draft and will look for immediate contributions from several young players. If those additions develop quickly, Kansas City could return to the top of the conference in a hurry.

The Chiefs are +750 to win the AFC and +1600 to win the Super Bowl at SportsBetting.ag sportsbook.

New England Patriots

New England might be the least discussed team in this ranking, but that shouldn’t last much longer. Drake Maye followed up a strong rookie season with a second-team All-Pro campaign, throwing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns. The Patriots identified their biggest weakness during the offseason and addressed it by improving the offensive line with the addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker and the return of a healthy Will Campbell.

The skill-position group also received upgrades. Romeo Doubs joins a unit that already includes Kayshon Boutte and Hunter Henry. New England faces a difficult schedule, but the Patriots have built a roster capable of competing with anyone in the AFC.

The Patriots are +850 to win the AFC and +1800 to win the Super Bowl at SportsBetting.ag sportsbook.

Denver Broncos

Some fans will argue Denver belongs higher after finishing as the AFC’s top seed last season. That argument has merit, especially when looking at the defense. The Broncos led the NFL with 68 sacks and ranked among the league’s best units in several major categories. Most of that group returns for another season.

The offense remains the biggest variable. Bo Nix showed flashes of becoming a top quarterback but also experienced stretches of inconsistency. The addition of Jaylen Waddle should help tremendously. Pairing Waddle with Courtland Sutton gives Denver a dangerous receiving tandem and provides Nix with more opportunities to create explosive plays.

The Broncos are +1000 to win the AFC and +2000 to win the Super Bowl at SportsBetting.ag sportsbook.

Baltimore Ravens

Leaving Baltimore out of the top five never felt right. As long as Lamar Jackson is under center, the Ravens deserve serious consideration. Jackson remains one of the most difficult players in football to defend because of his ability to impact games both as a passer and runner. Few quarterbacks place more pressure on opposing defenses every week.

Baltimore also benefits from continuity. John Harbaugh remains one of the league’s most respected coaches (but he is now gone), and the Ravens continue to field competitive teams despite playing in one of football’s toughest divisions. The combination of Jackson, a physical running game, and a defense that consistently ranks among the AFC’s better units makes Baltimore a threat every season. The Ravens may not generate as many headlines as Buffalo or Kansas City, but they remain one of the conference’s most dangerous teams heading into 2026.

The Ravens are +500 to win the AFC and +1100 to win the Super Bowl at SportsBetting.ag sportsbook.