2021 AFC Playoff Predictions
11 repliesThe introduction of the new playoff format is this year, but who in the AFC will win out? Read on.
Division Previews
AFC Predicted Playoff Standings
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Kansas City Chiefs
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New England Patriots
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Tennessee Titans
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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Buffalo Bills
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Denver Broncos
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New York Jets
Unlike the NFC, the AFC has a number of wildcards who are as good as the division winners. I’d argue the Bills, Broncos, and Jets are all better than the Steelers. In fact, the Dolphins probably are too. This creates an unusual situation where the 5 seed might actually be better off than the 2 seed, as the 5 seed gets to face the Steelers while the 2 seed has to face a tougher Jets team.
Wildcard
Patriots over Jets
Belichick is famous for giving rookie quarterbacks problems, so I’d expect him to complete a 3 game sweep over Zach Wilson.
Broncos over Titans
As if it wasn’t bad enough that I have the Broncos making the playoffs, I have them winning a playoff game too? Whoever runs this place needs to fire me immediately.
Bills over Steelers
One of the bigger playoff mismatches in recent history. The Bills would win the division by 5 games if they were in the AFC North.
Divisional
Chiefs over Broncos
The Chiefs get revenge for 1997 a quarter of a century later, as Bridgewater is no match for Mahomes.
Patriots over Bills
This would be an incredibly interesting game. I mainly picked the Patriots over the Bills because I think Josh Allen will struggle against their improved defense, but it’s close. If he doesn’t, the Bills should be heavy favorites to reach the AFC championship game again to face the Chiefs.
Championship
Chiefs over Patriots
Time for revenge for 2018. Now that Mahomes has more experience, and a better defense backing him up, it should go the Chiefs’ way this time around.
Think the Jets will have improved that much eh?
Yep, I’m very anti-Gase and anti-Darnold.
But you think swapping them out for Saleh and Wilson is enough to propel them from second-to-last to a playoff birth in a tough division?
Not disagreeing necessarily just curious.
The 7th seed helps, but also I have a lot of questions about the other 9 teams. Although I don’t think LAC are that far behind them.
That was my thought. I would switch the Jets for the Chargers.
wow, Tony … your credibility went out the window when you listed the Jets and then even mentioned them as a Wild Card … that’s … that’s just beyond stunning
THE team that was SOOOOOOO bad they had their own Under-The-Bottom of the Rankings Tier … no … not an ice cube’s chance in hell the Jets are Wild Card, unless the league revamps the playoffs to allow every team in the league to be a playoff team (in which case the Jets would STILL have issues in qualifying)
Chargers or even Raiders have a far more legit shot than the Jets, not to mention the Ravens … but hey, it’s your blog and you’re welcome to your opinions no matter how bizarre and far-fetched and fantastical they are 😉
Last year is last year. They made some nice additions plus they’re no longer weighed down by Gase and Darnold.
You really see Miami as ending at last in their division?
Yeah it’s tough, I think they would have a good chance of winning the AFCS or AFCN, but everybody esle in the AFCE is good and I just don’t believe in Tua.