The 2025-26 NFL Regular Season draws near, and fans are anxious for top narratives. The AFC has been a top-heavy team in recent years, and many of the lesser teams have undergone massive makeovers this offseason. Each team in the conference has a top story for its fan base to follow heading into the season, and each team is ranked in these power rankings. All 2024-25 team offensive and defensive stats or rankings provided by Fox Sports.
Only one win shy of the fewest in the NFL last year, the Jaguars will be alley cats, as the only team in the AFC South not noticeably better on paper. The development of their first-round draft pick, Travis Hunter, will be followed by fans, but the more important thing is the progression of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He had just 11 touchdowns against seven interceptions in ten games played, a ratio no serious team can win with. Can new head coach Liam Coen turn this team around, or will the Jaguars once again be found in the litter box?
Despite ranking one spot higher in these power rankings, the Browns are worse in talent management. The team is trapped by bad decisions, and had to pay defensive end Myles Garrett a record amount to keep him from leaving. They are trying cheap quarterbacks because they don’t know how to handle quarterback depth. The story to watch would be how that room unfolds this upcoming season. Running with five sub-par options in training camp, they are choosing between 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco, Kenny “Baby Hands” Pickett, 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel, or the flop of the same draft, Shedeur Sanders.
The Colts’ quarterback room should be taken out to pasture; it is certainly not worth the trouble they have invested. They have recently acquired Daniel Jones, and claim he will battle for a starting job against the heartless Anthony Richardson. The team is yet to make a needle-moving transaction to improve their mediocre offense or 29th overall defense from last season. With no viable long-term quarterback solution, the more important story falls on the O-line. After ranking 31st in QB pressure against, and facing this turnover, Indianapolis picked up some Flex Seal to plug the holes.
The Dolphins’ offense averaged just 20.3 points per game last season, and expect them to swim in a more shallow pool, with their team largely drama and turnover. Their defense was respectable last season, but still allowed more points than the team could score. The top story is the health of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Accepting the fact that the wind might give him a concussion, the weapons around him are only getting worse.
The Patriots have been aggressive this offseason, largely improving the team on paper. They still have some proving ahead if they want to climb the ranks. The offense will be a superior edition, but second-worst in the league is a difficult starting point. With plenty of moves to improve the Swiss cheese that was their line last year, the top story will be how well those moves turn out. Will it click immediately, leading to immediate success, or are fans in for more growing pains than they are anticipating?
The Titans have made exciting moves to pair with their elite defense. Finishing the 2024-25 season only shy of the Eagles in overall defense, the team is making additions to repair the offense, which averaged just 18.3 PPG. The big story will be the progression of the offense. They drafted quarterback Cameron Ward in the first round, along with many other promising talents. Can they mesh quickly enough to avoid wasting another year of elite defense?
Outside of drafting the highly acclaimed running back Ashton Jeanty sixth overall, the Raiders have added plenty of talent with a trusted track record. The new head coach and quarterback have history, with Pete Carroll and Geno Smith reunited from their time in Seattle. Vegas has also attempted to address its defense, which allowed 25.5 PPG last season, by acquiring a new safety, a cornerback, and two linebackers. Coaching is essential to keep an eye on; the attractive additions will need to live up to the hype. The team will also give Chip Kelly a chance as OC. All the moves are promising, but it’s a lot of moving pieces to cram together so quickly.
The offensive revamping continues with the Jets, as they try to forget the pain in their knees from bending to the egotistical quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The team hopes their young stars will have chemistry with the newly signed Justin Fields to replace him. Their defense was impressive, carrying the weight of Rogers’ ego, and still finding a way to finish third overall. At the very least, Fields has shown to be a productive game manager. Can the team that allowed the inmates to run the asylum manage the game well enough to keep the defense fresh?
The Texans were a competent O-line away from serious playoff chances last season. Luckily for them, they continue to be in the pugnant AFC South with a much more talented roster than any of the three below them. Quarterback CJ Stroud took heat from ignorant fans who misguided their anger. Despite being forced to play excessively, they finished a top-ten defense. The story in Houston will be how much the three new additions to the line can elevate the team.
The Bengals are an offensive powerhouse that seems to think defense is optional, and have seemingly doubled down for the upcoming season. Management gave their top receivers a raise, but continue the contract battle with Trey Hendrickson, who led the league with 17.5 sacks last year. The Bengals show so much promise, but are run by complete morons. The top story will be the defense. With the only notable defensive addition being rookie draft pick Shemar Stewart, the team is putting unimaginable stress on the rookie and the team’s natural progression.
The Broncos’ defense was one of the stingiest in the league last season, allowing just 18.3 PPG. While not the most explosive or flashy, their offense plays a safe and efficient style. They got more than most predicted from rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who had 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That offense is the top story in Denver. They lack the punch of the teams in the tier above theirs. Their 19th-ranked offensive needs to get closer to the top ten for serious consideration of a playoff run.
No team in the NFL allowed fewer points last season than the Chargers, who are in a similar position to the Broncos. They have an offense trying to progress, so as not to waste their defense. This team, however, has superior defense and made more impressive acquisitions. Quarterback Justin Herbert was in a conservative play-calling scheme last year, so fans are hoping the addition of proven names will unlock the field. Los Angeles has signed running back Najee Harris, wide receiver Mike Williams, and tight end Tyler Conklin, among others. The key story is the progression of the offense, and whether these additions will boost the team from last year’s 20th overall ranking.
The Steelers have been spinning their wheels for years. Their intimidating defense always keeps them relevant, but the offense fails to propel them to true contention. Even after fatigue kicked in, the team still limited opponents to an average of 20.4 points per game. The turnover in Pittsburgh is the headline, as they replaced quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields with Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. They also traded wide receiver George Pickens, while they acquired DK Metcalf. There is also the question of elevating running back Jaylen Warren to RB1 after losing interest in the previous starter, Najee Harris.
With key drops, fumbles, and turnovers, the Ravens may have been their own worst enemy last year. These are not the type of mistakes a team can afford with the second-worst passing defense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was in the running for MVP last season, with 45 total touchdowns, to only four interceptions, but he looks to improve on his eight fumbles. The additions to their defense are most interesting. With the NFL reporting no fewer than seven notable additions to their pass defense, could this be the year Baltimore stacks a couple of playoff wins?
If this were a ranking of the most exciting teams, the Bills may have finished first. Alas, there is one team that continues to have its number. They averaged 30.9 PPG last year, which paired well with an 11th-ranked scoring defense, which allowed 21.6 PPG. The team has executed numerous impressive depth moves, which leaves only one question in Buffalo: Will this be the year they beat the Chiefs in the playoffs?
Dynasty haters point out the embarrassing blowout loss to the Eagles in the most recent Super Bowl, but that is merely a glimpse of the darkest day in years of a bright empire. This was a 15-win team last season, which has also won three of the last six Super Bowls. As explosive and entertaining as Buffalo is, they do not match up to head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes when the pressure is at its greatest. Over the years of success, they have been both a pass-heavy, scoring juggernaut, but at other times, a defensive powerhouse that plays smart on offense, striking at key moments. How will Reid coach them to the Super Bowl this year?
End Of My NFL Rant
Some of these active teams are going to find instant success, while others are destined to fail, and only time will tell which teams truly made the best decisions. The Bills’ quest to overcome the Chiefs in the postseason may be the most prominent story in the AFC heading into the season. Which of the teams on the edge of serious contendership manages to put it all together, and which will continue to flounder?
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