AFC power 4

[PoundingDog]

The same 4 teams go to the final 4, different order. Last year, Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Texans. This year Chiefs and Ravens switch position.

 

I can easily see the same 4 next year also.

 

Among the 4, the Texans might be a half level below the other 3 and the Chiefs, also benefiting the bye week, have the easiest path. It will be a blood bath between the Bills and Ravens next weekend.

 

All 4 teams have stud (relatively) young QBs. But I'll say Allen and Jackson are gaining on Mahomes. Stroud had a step back from last year. We'll see if he goes forward next year.

 

So it comes down to supporting case. Chiefs are the most balanced team. Mahomes, Kelce, Jones are HoF worthy guys, but Kelce might be nearing the end. The Bills have Allen. Miller is a shoo-in HoF but is even past Kelce's stage for high output right now. The Ravens have Jackson and someone like Hamilton playing at HoF level, but got Henry playing like a 25 year at HoF level. Texans has Hunter, Collins promising young stars.

 

This is Allen's best year as a QB and leader in his NFL career so far. We probably need him to play the best yet of his best year next week to upend the Ravens. For reference I personally believe this is a transition year for the Bills and next year is what they plan to start another series of charge at the Superbowl. Nice to have some pleasant surprise. 

Edited 18 hours ago by PoundingDog

[oldmanfan]

Watch out for the Broncos

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

has there been an upset yet?

 

 

unpopular to those that see a kc 3 peat but the texans could be the one to make it happen. I don't see the rest as an advantage for kc. kelce is getting fat lying around with swift and something about mahomes ankles that could prevent his elusiveness. that and andy reid having brain farts.

 

nah, it's not what the nfl wants but that ***** would be great!!

[Gregg]

I would love to see the Texans pull off the upset, but I don't see it happening. The Chiefs defense will do a good job on the Texans offense. Mahomes and company will score enough for a comfortable win. Something like 30-17

[BarleyNY]

52 minutes ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

has there been an upset yet?

the Chargers were favored by 2.5 against the Texans.

[Sojourner]

22 minutes ago, Gregg said:

I would love to see the Texans pull off the upset, but I don't see it happening. The Chiefs defense will do a good job on the Texans offense. Mahomes and company will score enough for a comfortable win. Something like 30-17

If their pass rush can produce like it has and the offense carries on from the second half of that Chargers game, they are absolutely capable of walking away as winners. 
 

Wouldn’t surprise me if the offense show up and this is the one of few times their defense falls flat. 
 

Either way, it’s contingent on Stroud and their defensive line. Hope Anderson2 and Hunter can bring it. 

Their offensive line I have no hope for lol

[CNYfan]

The Texans, like the Lions, were hit hard by injuries.  

[Matt_In_NH]

1 hour ago, PoundingDog said:

I can easily see the same 4 next year also.

History would say otherwise.   

[Sojourner]

14 minutes ago, CNYfan said:

The Texans, like the Lions, were hit hard by injuries.  

Agree. Diggs and Dell are a huge loss for the Texans. They still have Collins, Shultz, Stover, Metchie and maybe Diontae Johnson makes an appearance on the year. They’re not as devoid of talent where their injuries are like the Lions and their defense. 

[4merper4mer]

1 hour ago, PoundingDog said:

The same 4 teams go to the final 4, different order. Last year, Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Texans. This year Chiefs and Ravens switch position.

 

I can easily see the same 4 next year also.

 

Among the 4, the Texans might be a half level below the other 3 and the Chiefs, also benefiting the bye week, have the easiest path. It will be a blood bath between the Bills and Ravens next weekend.

 

All 4 teams have stud (relatively) young QBs. But I'll say Allen and Jackson are gaining on Mahomes. Stroud had a step back from last year. We'll see if he goes forward next year.

 

So it comes down to supporting case. Chiefs are the most balanced team. Mahomes, Kelce, Jones are HoF worthy guys, but Kelce might be nearing the end. The Bills have Allen. Miller is a shoo-in HoF but is even past Kelce's stage for high output right now. The Ravens have Jackson and someone like Hamilton playing at HoF level, but got Henry playing like a 25 year at HoF level. Texans has Hunter, Collins promising young stars.

 

This is Allen's best year as a QB and leader in his NFL career so far. We probably need him to play the best yet of his best year next week to upend the Ravens. For reference I personally believe this is a transition year for the Bills and next year is what they plan to start another series of charge at the Superbowl. Nice to have some pleasant surprise. 

Have you not been on this board?  Don’t you realize that the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals put these other four clown cars to shame?  I’m mean Jamar Chase and a QB with frosted tips!  The Bills, Chiefs, Ravens and Texans are all clearly just placeholders.

[PoundingDog]

1 hour ago, 4merper4mer said:

Have you not been on this board?  Don’t you realize that the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals put these other four clown cars to shame?  I’m mean Jamar Chase and a QB with frosted tips!  The Bills, Chiefs, Ravens and Texans are all clearly just placeholders.

It's about organization as well. The Chiefs, Ravens, Bills are well run organizations right now that have critical talents. The Texans might get there.

 

My outlook is that the Bills might have 2-3 years in AFCE before they are seriously challenged. Ravens will be there AFCN but talent level like Henry might dip in short order. The Bengals might peak once in a while because they have talent but no an overall consistently well run organization. The Texans will have 3+ years in AFCS. The Chiefs will be challenged even though I don't believe in Herbert, Nix that much yet.

Edited 16 hours ago by PoundingDog

[Virgil]

I think the Chargers and Broncos are a factor to upset the top 4 just because they will start to take wins away in the regular season, that will affect final standings.  I don't think either will dethrone the Chiefs from winning the division, but I think those extra losses for the Chiefs (coupled with the fact that there's no way they will get this lucky again with all their last second victories), and the one seed will be much more up for grabs

[Big Turk]

1 hour ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

has there been an upset yet?

 

 

unpopular to those that see a kc 3 peat but the texans could be the one to make it happen. I don't see the rest as an advantage for kc. kelce is getting fat lying around with swift and something about mahomes ankles that could prevent his elusiveness. that and andy reid having brain farts.

 

nah, it's not what the nfl wants but that ***** would be great!!

 

Kelce is putting in more work with Swift in places than he is on the field...doubt he is getting fat with that much bedroom workout time

[Rochesterfan]

15 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I think the Chargers and Broncos are a factor to upset the top 4 just because they will start to take wins away in the regular season, that will affect final standings.  I don't think either will dethrone the Chiefs from winning the division, but I think those extra losses for the Chiefs (coupled with the fact that there's no way they will get this lucky again with all their last second victories), and the one seed will be much more up for grabs

 

 

It could be the Chargers and Broncos become factors, but I really see them more like Miami and NE from a couple of years ago.

 

The Chargers and Dolphins seem nearly a match with the ability to look great, but man do they find ways to lose big games.  It has been multiple coaches and rosters, but I just think Herbert does not have enough to lead his team to big wins.

 

The Broncos remind me of Mac Jones rookie NE team - where everyone thought he was going to become elite and then teams got a handle on him and it was gone.  I think perhaps Bo has a chance to continue, but I would not be the least bit surprised to see them move back a few steps.

 

I could be wrong, but I still feel they have a long way to go have significant impact.

[Rigotz]

To me, it feels like the Big 3. 

 

Texans limped into the playoffs and Stroud wasn't particularly good this year.

 

If we're going off of "potential" and track record, I might even put the Bengals ahead of the Texans after they fix their defense this offseason.

[blitzboy54]

For me it's Bill, Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals. Texans are mid 

[Big Turk]

7 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

To me, it feels like the Big 3. 

 

Texans limped into the playoffs and Stroud wasn't particularly good this year.

 

If we're going off of "potential" and track record, I might even put the Bengals ahead of the Texans after they fix their defense this offseason.

 

Texans are not good on O...D is legit at times...they are not a serious contender

[947]

There is no way the Refs will let the Texans beat the Chiefs. Every time KC fails to convert a 3rd down anywhere near the redzone, there will be an inevitable flag for defensive holding. I predict this game will be comical from a "fabricated penalty" perspective.

[SirAndrew]

3 minutes ago, 947 said:

There is no way the Refs will let the Texans beat the Chiefs. Every time KC fails to convert a 3rd down anywhere near the redzone, there will be an inevitable flag for defensive holding. I predict this game will be comical from a "fabricated penalty" perspective.

Chiefs vs Ravens/Bills is too good ratings wise to mess up in favor of the Houston Texans. 

[Herc11]

55 minutes ago, blitzboy54 said:

For me it's Bill, Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals. Texans are mid 

The Bengals have a lot to fix. Their o-line and defense, outside of Hendrickson, sucks. They also have huge contracts coming up with Chase, Higgins, and Hendrickson. They can't pay all three and their owner is cheap as hell.