After seven games, the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated in the 2024 season. To this point, their defense, their star quarterback, and a brilliant coaching staff have mastered game plans and adjustments within the game. Yet, some say the Chiefs are not the best team in the NFL. So, let’s look at the contenders.
The Kansas City Chiefs have played in the AFC Championship game for the sixth straight season. They’ve been to four Super Bowls and posted a 3-1 record. They are playing a level of chess in the front office and on the field, while other teams in the AFC are playing checkers.
What the Chiefs have done over the last six years has been unprecedented and will likely extend for a seventh year. Still, the national media who doubt the Chiefs are legit this season, despite being 7-0, believe another AFC team will get hot and defeat them in the playoffs.
Some national experts say the Baltimore Ravens are the best team in the AFC. Yet, they went into Cleveland on Sunday and showed their true purple colors. In facing the Browns, a team in turmoil, starting a quarterback not on their roster a few weeks ago, they succumbed to their shortcomings.
Once again, with a crushing ground game, they force-fed the passing game behind Lamar Jackson. He could not deliver the comeback with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. Further, their highly praised defense crumbled in the face of the moment and allowed Jameis Winston to deliver the win.
In summary, the Ravens refuse to be the team they should be and are instead attempting to change the narrative that their quarterback, talented as he might be, can deliver the goods when pressed to throw the ball. Even after adding Carolina Panthers Receiver Diontae Johnson might help, I’m not convinced.
The Buffalo Bills are having an intriguing season. As I stated before the regular season, most felt they were in transition and unlikely to make the playoffs this year. Well, I think I better retract that statement.
Led by Quarterback Josh Allen, he’s amid a three-game winning streak, where he’s played the best football of his career. It’s hard not to respect Allen, and I could make a case he’s the best quarterback in 2024. Still, they’ve relied heavily on a soft schedule to date, yet he’s 6-2 on the season.
In summary, the Bills only have one difficult stretch: They host the Chiefs and 49ers at home and then play the Rams and Lions on the road. After that, they play the Patriots twice and the Jets once. Still, if Allen is on and the Bills’ defense can continue to lock down opposing offenses, this might be their best chance to upend the Chiefs in the post-season.
From the beginning of the season, we all agreed the Houston Texans were a serious contender for the AFC Title. They are 6-2, and though they’ve won a few games, they should have lost; they still came out on the right side of the final score.
Their issue isn’t a talented roster but overcoming expectations. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, Running Back Joe Mixon (when healthy), and Wide Receiver Tank Dell (also when healthy) can carry this team offensively as far as it needs to go. They’ll have to be good, considering Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs is out for the year after sustaining a knee injury against the Colts on Sunday. The Texans defense hasn’t looked as good as its 2023 version, but in the fourth quarter, they make plays.
In Summary, they’ll face the Chiefs in December in Kansas City, but they must also face the Detroit Lions at home and another challenging road game in Dallas. Beyond that, they’ll easily win the AFC South, so they have plenty of time to get even better.
The big question with the only other team that I can see challenging is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like the Texans and Bills, they’ve only lost twice this season. They seem to have transitioned well to Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has won both of his starts at home.
Yet, the contenders have a strict schedule ahead of them. They face the Chiefs on Christmas Day and play the Ravens and Bengals twice, as well as the Eagles on the road. Not an easy task. Yet, they have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they’ve shown that they can take over games.
In Summary, if Wilson can regain his Seahawks form, this is a hazardous team that will play unfazed at home or on the road. Like the Chiefs, they don’t care about geographical location; they believe they can win any game.
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers are the sixth and seventh seeds in the AFC standings, but both teams have significant obstacles to overcome. Rookie Bo Nix has worked well under head coach Sean Payton. Add that with a suffocating defense; there is much to like about this version of the Broncos. Yet, they’ll face the most difficult two-game set on their schedule, facing the Ravens and Chiefs on the road.
The Chargers have done an excellent job beating bad teams, but this offense isn’t clicking. New Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has been a stable force and has done a terrific job battling many injuries to have his team 4-2 on the season. Based on experience and roster talent, they have the advantage over Denver.
Ultimately, the Kansas City Chiefs don’t care where they play. Even if a few losses mount and they don’t get the #1 seed, they can win on the road. Either way, the pressure is on the contenders, not the incumbents.
For now, they are the team to beat!
