AFC Division 2026-2027 Preview and Betting Tips

Table of Contents

• AFC North
• AFC East
• AFC South
• AFC West
• Summary

The AFC North has been a very competitive division over the last few years, but it does feel like there are only two teams in the running this year. 

The Cleveland Browns made some good acquisitions in free agency and the draft but without star edge rusher Myles Garrett they won’t win this year. This year is a transitional one from the Browns.

It’s a new dawn in Pittsburgh after long time head coach Mike Tomlin was let go and new head coach Mike McCarthy has taken over. He will be teaming back up with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and although the Steelers have a lot of names, they have an ageing squad and that will tell in the end.

The Baltimore Ravens are favourites to win the division and should do well under new head coach Jesse Minter. The former Chargers defensive coordinator has shown promise for years and he should improve the Ravens defence that was ranked 24th in the league last season. They should make the playoffs this time around.

The Cincinnati Bengals have struggled over the past couple of seasons, but they have built the team well this offseason. Big acquisitions on the defence should help them and they already have a top-quality offence with Joe Burrow at the helm of it. They have the talent to go all the way.

Last year saw a change at the top of the AFC East as the New England Patriots won the division and then made it all the way to the Super Bowl. This year it feels like there are only two teams going for the division title as the other two continue to rebuild.

The Miami Dolphins are big outsiders this season after trading away a lot of big-name players such as Bradley Chubb, Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa. They are in a big rebuild with new head coach Jeff Hafley and Dolphins fans are in for a long season. 

There still isn’t much to cheer about in New York as the Jets are a long way off from competing for the division this year. Head coach Aaron Glenn managed to hold on to his job for another season, but this year is just about proving that they are progressing.

The Buffalo Bills lost out last year but will be hoping to bounce back now. They got rid of head coach Sean McDermott and replaced him with OC Joe Brady. Star quarterback Josh Allen will lead the team again and the whole team looks solid this season for another run.

Finally, the New England Patriots will be looking to defend their title, but it might be a bit harder this season. Last year they had a very easy schedule which they will not have this year. Ex Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown was traded for, and the Patriots should still be a threat this season.

The AFC South is one of the most competitive divisions this year with three teams all considered to have a good chance of winning it. Last year the Jacksonville Jaguars won the division but doing it again will be tough.

The Jaguars didn’t do much during the offseason when it comes to bringing in top talent through free agency or the draft. They also lost their main running back Travis Etienne, and they will be hoping that consistency will take them further this season.

The Jaguars have got stiff competition in the division though as the Houston Texans look like a good team again. They still have a great defence that will always keep them in games, and they have improved their offensive line to help protect CJ Stroud. The playoffs are expected.

The Indianapolis Colts are another team in this division that could contend. A lot will depend on if quarterback Daniel Jones has recovered fully from last years season ending injury and if running back Jonathon Taylor can keep going. The playoffs are the target but might just be beyond them.

Finally, we have got the Tennessee Titans who are still in a rebuild. They have taken on ex Jets head coach Robert Saleh as their new head coach. This season is all about developing second year quarterback Cam Ward and just trying to be competitive.

We have got another highly competitive division where it feels like three of the four teams could win. 

One team that is unlikely to compete are the Las Vegas Raiders. They have hired ex Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak to be their new head coach, and they drafted the number one quarterback in Fernando Mendoza. This season is all about development for the Raiders.

The LA Chargers made it to the playoffs last season but got knocked out straight away and will be hoping for better this year. They have bolstered their offensive line to help quarterback Justin Herbert and hired ex Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to run the offence. They should reach the playoffs again.

Another team that will be looking to win this division is the Denver Broncos. The Broncos made it to the AFC Championship game last season and have improved again by adding wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Their defence is still elite, and they could go all the way.

Finally, the Kansas City Chiefs will be hoping to bounce back after a poor season last year. Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL last season but should be good to go for week one. Their defence still looks strong and bringing in Superbowl MVP Ken Walker should help the offence.

This AFC division preview looks at the main contenders across the North, East, South and West before the new NFL season begins. With several divisions looking competitive, bettors may want to compare futures odds, team specials and live markets at the best betting sites before placing any NFL bets.

For readers comparing both conferences, the NFC division picture can also help show how the overall playoff race may develop once the season starts.