The NFL playoffs have been fun, interesting, and wild for football fans. Fans are still thinking about the AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. The AFC Championship game was one of the best games of the season and ended dramatically. Over the past couple of seasons, the AFC has become the powerhouse of the NFL. The AFC has the best quarterbacks in the NFL and AFC teams have proven to be strong and competitive.
As we all know the Superbowl is around the corner. Before we get to the big game the strength of the AFC should be documented. AFC teams have shown their prowess in the playoffs. I try my best to journal the strength of the AFC.
AFC Teams
The AFC playoffs featured the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Miami Dolphins. These teams have fantastic seasons and put themselves in a position to fight for a championship.
Jacksonville and Miami were doubted by some football fans and analysts. However, both teams pushed through the season and made the playoffs. Jacksonville finished the season with a 9-8 record. Jacksonville also won the AFC South after defeating the Tennessee Titans. Jacksonville beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round. Doug Pederson’s team came back from a 27-point deficit. The following week Jacksonville went toe to toe with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Miami Dolphins had an epic playoff game against Buffalo. Miami entered the game as underdogs and kept fighting after trailing 14-0. The game came down to the wire and Miami had a chance to win the game. Miami showed why they were a part of the 2022-23 AFC Playoffs.
Los Angeles won critical games down the stretch and finally made the playoffs with Justin Herbert. Despite losing, Herbert made some impressive throws against Jacksonville. Baltimore found ways to win games with Tyler Huntley. Baltimore had a chance to beat the Bengals in the wild card round as well.
AFC Heavyweights
Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Buffalo are the heavyweights of the AFC. Kansas City has won seven -straight AFC West Championships. Kansas City has also hosted five straight AFC Championships and won three. Over time the Chiefs have morphed into the most dangerous team in the AFC. Kansas City proved its doubters wrong this season and won another AFC Championship title. Kansas City is now headed to its third Superbowl in four seasons.
Buffalo is also an AFC heavyweight because of what they have accomplished. The Bills have won the AFC East for three straight seasons. Sean McDermott has led his team to the playoffs from 2019-22. Josh Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and has used his talent to help Buffalo stay atop the AFC. Buffalo was the number two seed in the AFC Playoffs.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals have come out of nowhere and proven to be an AFC heavyweight. Cincinnati has gone to back-to-back AFC Championship games. Additionally, Cincinnati has won two straight AFC North crowns and appeared in the 2022 Superbowl. Cincinnati beat the Buffalo Bills during the AFC playoffs. Most significantly Cincinnati has beaten fellow AFC heavyweight Kansas City three times in their last four meetings. Cincinnati is a solid football team that should be good for years.
AFC Future
The AFC will be good for years to come. The strength of the AFC is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because fans will get to watch good teams battle on the gridiron. It’s a curse because teams won’t be able to play in Superbowl or AFC Championship games. The Buffalo Bills went to the AFC Championship game during the 2020-21 season and haven’t been back since. The AFC is tough and teams have to give it their all to accomplish their goals.
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