AFC Predictions 2026-27

Part 2 of 2 is here. Your favorite podcasting duo agrees on one thing: this year has more parity than any season has before. There's only a handful of bad teams, and everyone else has a good chance at making the playoffs. It'll be very competitive. We hope you enjoyed our NFL predictions, and be sure to tune in tomorrow night as the season kicks off with the Seahawks and Patriots. Please also be on the lookout for MLB playoff brackets coming very soon!

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

Payton: (12-5) - 1st place

Something had to give. Teams are way too quick to pull the trigger on firing head coaches in today’s NFL, but Sean McDermott had 8 years to get Josh Allen to a Super Bowl. Joe Brady will be pedal to the metal in crunch time, unlike his predecessor. The DJ Moore trade will do wonders for this offense and provide a nice complement to the elite TE trio of Kincaid, Knox, and Hawes. Is it finally the year for Bills Mafia?

Bell Ringer: (12-5) - 1st Place

A 12-win season and regaining the AFC East crown? That seems right for Buffalo. They’re a talented team with plenty of depth, and they will be tested mightily with a gauntlet of a schedule. My only area of concern is their interior O-Line, but Josh Allen’s mobility can extend even the most impossible plays.

Miami Dolphins

Payton: (5-12) - 3rd place

Green Bay South! General manager, coach, and quarterback were all poached from the Packers this offseason to begin a full rebuild of the rubble that Tua Turntheballova left behind. Possibly the most abysmal WR room in NFL history, but RB’s De’Von Achane, Ollie Gordon, and Jaylen Wright will enable Miami to play the brand of smash mouth football that we should expect from Jeff Hafley. Give it 2 or 3 years, and this team might finally be able to win those tough, cold weather games.

Bell Ringer: (3-14) - 4th Place

From bad to worse, the Dolphins' sharp and downward turn has landed them in the cellar of the league. They have the most dead money out of any team (a staggering $179M) and a razor thin roster. They didn’t just rip the team down to the studs, they completely blew up the foundation. I don’t see them putting up much of a fight.

New England Patriots

Payton: (11-6) - 2nd place

If you think Mike Vrabel is gonna let this team suffer the typical Super Bowl runner-up hangover, then I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. This is an old-school, suffocating Patriot defense anchored by the ultra elite cover corner Christian Gonzalez. Major credit to the front office for not being complacent and making a big swing for beleaguered Philly WR AJ Brown. He will feast in the Josh McDaniels system. Must-watch games vs Seattle and Pittsburgh to kick off the season.

Bell Ringer: (9-8) - 2nd Place

After making it to the Super Bowl via the path of least resistance, the Pats got humbled on the biggest stage. But to give credit where it is due, their defense is really, really good. Their schedule this year is tough, and with the lack of a true running game and holes along the O-Line, New England would be lucky to sneak in as a Wild Card team.

New York Jets

Payton: (4-13) - 4th place

“Geno Smith is going to lead us to the promised land” - HC Aaron Glenn. First of all, ain’t no team from New Jersey headed to the promised land. Second, did he watch Geno play last year? Young guns TE Mason Taylor and EDGE David Bailey are players to watch for, but not much else to look forward to for Jets fans.

Bell Ringer: (5-12) - 3rd Place

Would you believe me if I told you the last time the Jets defense forced an interception was Jan. 5th, 2025? Well you should, because it’s true. The failed Aaron Rodgers experiment has now turned into the Geno Smith Experiment (Part 2). I like this approach, though. Build up the rest of the team and draft a young QB next year.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

Payton: (10-7) - 2nd place

It was a roller coaster offseason for this perennially stable franchise. There will be a new head coach in Jesse Minter for the first time in two decades. A bombshell trade for superstar Raider EDGE Maxx Crosby got snuffed out due to a failed physical. Former Bengal EDGE Trey Hendrickson isn’t a bad consolation prize. As usual, Baltimore nailed the draft by shoring up their interior offensive line and providing much needed depth to the receiver position behind Zay Flowers. I also really like that someone from the Ben Johnson coaching tree is now Lamar Jackson’s offensive coordinator. Expect a much more dynamic offense with heavy play action and an outside zone running scheme that caters to Derrick Henry.

Bell Ringer: (9-8) - 2nd Place

I’m conflicted. Part of me wants to believe the Ravens will bounce back, but the other part of me thinks this is the year they finally push the big red button and start over. This roster is immensely talented, but they consistently underwhelm. Despite the front office's best efforts, the O-Line is still paper thin, they have one notable WR, and they brought in a brand new head coach that we know nothing about. I want to believe, but just not yet. I need to see them play up to their potential before I trust a coach that's trying to teach old dogs new tricks.

Cincinnati Bengals

Payton: (11-6) - 1st place

Cincinnati went all in to re-open Joe Burrow’s Super Bowl window. There are 4 new starters on defense, most notably DT Dexter Lawrence, brought in from New York at the cost of a 10th overall pick. Seattle free agent EDGE Boye Mafe has to produce. Ja’maar Chase and Tee Higgins are the best WR duo in the NFL. After an opener against Tampa Bay and then early road trips to Houston and Pittsburgh, the schedule is very favorable. The Bengals are squarely in the top tier of the AFC.

Bell Ringer: (12-5) - 1st Place

The Bengals are one of the few teams that control their own destiny. They don’t have many 50/50 games. There are 11 certain wins on this schedule if they play their brand of football. The offense is healthy, the defense finally has good players, and they have superstars all over the field. I love the “Bungles” this year, but just how far will they go?

Cleveland Browns

Payton: (3-14) - 4th place

The Cleveland Browns are the world’s most expensive travelling circus. 40 million dollar man QB Deshaun Watson is getting booed out of his own stadium in preseason. He should also be in jail. I have nothing nice to say about this franchise, except to thank them for finally setting Myles Garrett free.

Bell Ringer: (4-13) - 4th Place

As someone who’s always searching for diamonds in the rough, I like the Browns. They have lots of great young talent at every position. Every position… except QB. They need to start Shedeur Sanders and get Deshaun Watson the you-know-what out of here if they want to have any fighting chance this year. Otherwise, they’ll continue to flounder.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Payton: (9-8) - 3rd place

The reunion of Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy is the most intriguing storyline of this NFL season. This is the last time we will see Rodgers under center, and McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, exhibited a rare, deeply emotional moment at his introductory press conference as head coach back in January. It is clear that this city means the world to him. It was painfully obvious how lacking this offense was of a deep threat last season, which is why I love the acquisition of Colts WR Michael Pittman (7 TD’s last year). Sadly, it’s a brutal schedule and I just don’t see more than 9 or 10 wins.

Bell Ringer: (8-9) - 3rd Place

After the Draft, I had the Steelers winning this division. Then I dropped them to 2nd, and now 3rd. They didn’t get worse, I just think other teams got better. Their players are old and they play a very old brand of football: heavy personnel, slow, vertical offense. That doesn’t work in the modern era. You need fire, quick tempo, and lots of creativity. Today's game is played horizontally. It's built upon the philosophy of "get 3 yards every play, and you'll always get a first down."

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

Payton: (12-5) - 1st place

It’s put up or shut up for CJ Stroud as the Texans brass were unwilling to commit to him long term following a playoff meltdown against the Patriots. There are no more excuses. The offensive line is solidified and human wrecking ball RB David Montgomery was brought down from Detroit to provide much needed run support. The top defense in the NFL got even better this offseason with Eagles team captain S Reed Blankenship being added to a secondary that already features three Pro Bowlers. The front seven is loaded too. The fire and ice linebacking duo of Azeer Al-Shaair and Henry To’o’To’o return to provide a safety net behind a terrifying pass rushing tandem of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter that combined for 27 sacks last year. Solid QB play is the X factor for Houston.

Bell Ringer: (11-6) - 1st Place

Houston is a volatile team. Their ceiling is 12-13 wins but their floor is 7-8 wins. That’s a BIG difference and a future that is hard to predict. But if I could describe this defense in one word, it’s lethal. Nobody wants to play these guys, and they only upgraded this offseason. The offense may lack production, but defense wins championships.

Indianapolis Colts

Payton: (8-9) - 3rd place

Me and the Bell Ringer both agree that the Colts committed a fatal mistake giving away two first round picks for CB Sauce Gardner. He’s just not that good. Indianapolis has always excelled at building through the draft (3 of their last 4 first rounders are franchise players), which is why this move reeked of desperation. Trading away signal caller LB Zaire Franklin for cap space was also a puzzling move, leaving no proven players remaining at that position. The rest of the defense is aging and borderline innocuous, aside from the elite young pass rusher Laiatu Latu. Possession receiver Michael Pittman was another salary cap casualty, leaving deep threat Alec Pierce as the lone gunman for this receiving corps. TE Tyler Warren and RB Jonathan Taylor are going to have to endure an ungodly workload if this team is to have any shot of competing.

Bell Ringer: (7-10) - 3rd Place

As I predicted last year, the Colts did their classic “start hot and finish ice cold.” To be fair, it’s because they lost their starting QB to a season-ending injury, but the point stands. If all goes well, I could see them playing spoiler for some playoff hopefuls. I just haven’t seen enough out of this team to believe, but they have some potential.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Payton: (9-8) - 2nd place

This is my dark horse team of the year. Expect a lot of close games with Trevor Lawrence airing it out late in the fourth quarter to set up long range sniper K Cam Little. The two key players to watch for are first round picks WR Brian Thomas and CB/WR Travis Hunter. Thomas had a brilliant rookie season, but struggled with drops and injuries in 2025. Look for a major bounce back. The decision to focus Hunter at CB fills a big need for this defense and plays more into his natural skill set. Pundits don’t like the RB room, but I think second year speedster Bhaysul Tuten will pair nicely with bruiser Chris Rodriguez.

Bell Ringer: (10-7) - 2nd Place

If the Jaguars stay 100% healthy, this roster could make a deep run into the playoffs. However, it’s football, and players get hurt. Their lack of talented depth concerns me. I think HC Liam Coen’s offense is ripe for Trevor Lawrence to sling it for 5,000 yards, but a cutthroat schedule allows zero room for error. Jacksonville will need to be perfect.

Tennessee Titans

Payton: (5-12) - 4th place

Robert Saleh is a natural born leader with a proven track record of getting the most out of his players. His first stint as head coach in New York was derailed by a drama queen at quarterback and incompetent ownership. Not going to be a problem in Nashville. QB Cam Ward is all business and the new GM will be patient as Saleh lays the foundation. QB whisperer Brian Daboll is a huge asset as offensive coordinator. I’m really excited to see rookie WR Carnell Tate.

Bell Ringer: (4-13) - 4th Place

Are we overlooking the Titans? Maybe a little bit. A new coach, a 2nd-year QB, and a revamped roster is typically the recipe for success. We’ve seen it before, but their schedule is an uphill battle in all but a few games. I predict they’ll be in plenty of barnburners. It will at least finally make their games entertaining.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

Payton: (13-4) - 1st place

Denver fans, and the viewing public, were cruelly cheated out of a Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl when QB Bo Nix went down to a fractured ankle. No matter. Everyone is back this year. The league’s best offensive line anchored by all-pros Garrett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz will give Nix unlimited time to launch it downfield to their newest weapon WR Jaylen Waddle, who is eager to contend for a title after languishing in Miami for years. A lot to like about their RB duo, TE room, and returners as well. The #2 defense in football returns 10 starters, led by OLB Nik Bonnito (14 sacks), top QB hitman EDGE Zach Allen, and 2024 DPOY corner Pat Surtain. Feels like a collision course with LA…

Bell Ringer: (13-4) - 1st Place

If any team is more primed to win a championship, it’s the Broncos. The best pass blocking O-Line, best pass rushing defense (68 sacks), 2nd-best total defense (278.2 yards/game allowed), and a team that last year was on the cusp of the Super Bowl only for their starting QB to fracture his ankle, as Payton said. This roster is loaded from top to bottom and spearheaded by a mastermind Head Coach. I think Denver will play with a revenge-fueled fire in their guts.

Kansas City Chiefs

Payton: (10-7) - 2nd place

3x SB champion GM Brett Veach set out to do two things this offseason: get the rushing attack back on track and make the defense younger, quicker, and more affordable. He accomplished those objectives by making a splash for Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker, who is set to be KC’s first premier player at that position in years, and also by using 4 draft picks on defense: which include day one starting CB Mansoor Delane out of LSU, EDGE R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma, and DT Peter Woods out of Clemson. I really liked the addition of NT Khyris Tonga from New England to complement Chris Jones on the interior. With Mahomes looking set to return from a torn ACL, and the WR room back to full strength, I like the Chiefs to play spoiler in the AFC.

Bell Ringer: (10-7) - 2nd Place

As much as I don’t want the Chiefs to be good due to my utter disdain for them, I have to admit that they’re poised for a bounceback season. The offense is healthy (and out of jail), the defense got retooled, and they went all-in during free agency. They know their window is still open. Is it open enough? Their win total ranges anywhere between 8-11. Their success will hinge upon if Mahomes is fully recovered from his ACL injury and if that second-level of their defense can avoid being torched by opposing WRs all season long.

Las Vegas Raiders

Payton: (5-12) - 4th place

Obviously, the question for Vegas is how soon does Fernando take over? Kirk Cousins will very likely not survive a 4 week stretch that goes Kansas City, at New England, Buffalo, LA Rams. Bringing in C Tyler Linderbaum from Baltimore will give RB Ashton Jeanty the opportunity to finally break out - watch for backup RB Mike Washington too. The Raiders future appears to be in good hands with new HC Klint Kubiak, who was the OC in Seattle last year, as they hope to rebound from the disastrous Pete Carrol experiment. Free agent LB’s Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are exciting. The Raiders will be a scrappy cellar-dweller in an impossibly tough division.

Bell Ringer: (4-13) - 4th Place

Fernando-Mania in the Black Hole! Are the Raiders back? A staple franchise of the NFL due to their rugged, ruthless culture and playstyle has been irrelevant for far too long. I think this year is the turning point, and maybe even win more than 4 games. They brought in a lot of great players and coaches to get this team’s feet back under them.

Los Angeles Chargers

Payton: (9-8) - 3rd place

The Chargers 2025 season was dead on arrival when Pro Bowl T’s Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater went down. Those two are back, and what’s more, the Chargers added free agents C Tyler Biadasz (who unfortunately is out for the season) and RG Cole Strange, as well as 4 other depth piece OL in the draft. Quirky, schematic genius OC Mike McDaniel will unlock RB Omarion Hampton and reenergize this offense. The defense led by S Derwin James will be solid - first round OLB Akeem Mesidor out of Miami will infuse the pass rush with much needed youth. The Chargers are going to have to impose their blue collar style of football on the league’s best during a 7 week midseason gauntlet. QB Justin Herbert is still looking for his first playoff victory.

Bell Ringer: (8-9) - 3rd Place

Seriously, put the Chargers, Ravens, and Colts in a bag and randomly pick one. That’s probably more accurate than sitting here and guessing who will be the last team in/first team out. I like their chances this year, but it’s the same old song and dance with LA. They do enough to stay afloat but not enough to get over the top.

Predicted Playoff Bracket

Payton

1. Broncos

2. Texans

3. Bills

4. Bengals

5. Patriots

6. Ravens

7. Chiefs

AFC Champion: Broncos

Bell Ringer

1. Broncos

2. Bills

3. Bengals

4. Texans

5. Chiefs

6. Jaguars

7. Patriots

AFC Champion: Broncos

Epilogue

Well, if you read this far, then thanks! We appreciate your interest and support. We try to keep these concise, compact, and straight to the point. If you read all the way through both articles, you'd notice that we both picked the Broncos and Rams to be in the Super Bowl. Payton is riding with the superteam-Rams while The Bell Ringer is taking a risk on the Broncos. It will be a fun, friendly rivalry to track all season long. Who knows, maybe someone completely unexpected takes home the Lombardi this time.

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