Each crew should set targets, some loftier than others. So, within the spirit of the season, Yardbarker NFL writers provide a New Yr’s decision for each AFC crew.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (13-3) | Cling a Tremendous Bowl banner at Highmark Stadium | Highmark Stadium has been house to the Payments for 51 years, however subsequent season would be the final as development on a brand new Highmark Stadium nears completion for 2026. Per ESPN BET (as of Tuesday), Buffalo owns the third-best odds (+500) to win Tremendous Bowl LIX, so what higher option to honor the previous digs than with a banner to honor the crew’s first NFL championship?
MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8) | Get Tua Tagovailoa a greater helmet | After struggling his third concussion as a Dolphin and watching the crew go 1-3 with out him, Miami’s QB firmly stated he would not wear a Guardian Cap for additional head protection, calling it a “private selection.” As soon as used for training-camp practices solely, the NFL licensed the regular-season use of Guardian Caps in 2024. With $167M assured in Tagovailoa’s new contract, Miami ought to train its authority by making him put on the most secure helmet accessible.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-13) | Add higher broad receivers | QB Drake Maye won’t ever be Tom Brady, however with out higher weapons, he may very well be the crew’s subsequent Mac Jones. With extra cap area ($132M) projected for 2025 than any NFL crew and pending free-agent receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Stefon Diggs and Tee Higgins accessible, New England should do higher than Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte.
NEW YORK JETS (4-12) | Discover one other QB | The Aaron Rodgers expertise is a catastrophe for New York, and the Jets can save $49M towards subsequent yr’s cap along with his launch. The crew signed Rodgers to a $112M contract ($75M assured) in 2023, solely to look at him miss all however 4 snaps with a torn Achilles tendon that season and lead the crew to 4 wins with one recreation left to play in 2024. — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (9-7) | Use second-year WR Marvin Mims Jr. extra | In 16 video games, Mims ranks third on the crew in yards per reception (13.3) however solely has 34 receptions for 452 yards and 4 landing catches. Broncos head coach Sean Payton ought to take into account focusing on Mims extra to present Denver’s Twenty second-ranked passing offense (205.6 YPG) the increase it wants.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-1) | Cease holding it shut | The Chiefs have 11 one-possession wins, tied with the 2022 Minnesota Vikings for essentially the most in a season in league historical past, per the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow. Nevertheless, Ok.C. can’t proceed to depend on luck within the playoffs, or else it might fail to win a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-12) | Take into account letting new minority proprietor Tom Brady run the present | Since Mark Davis grew to become majority proprietor in 2011, the Raiders are 91-136 within the common season and haven’t any playoff wins. Brady — a seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion — is aware of extra about soccer than Davis and will assist the membership construct a successful basis.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (10-6) | Spend on a WR in free company | Chargers QB Justin Herbert — who has averaged a career-low 220.3 passing yards per recreation in 16 begins this season — wants extra reliable wideouts. L.A. ought to pursue Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins or Buffalo Payments WR Amari Cooper in free company. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5) | Don’t repeat the errors of the previous | The Ravens had the Chiefs proper the place they wished them within the AFC Championship Recreation final season, however they foolishly tried 37 passes and ran the ball solely 16 occasions within the 17-10 loss. Baltimore has by far the very best dashing offense within the AFC (185.6 yards per recreation), so first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken should reside and die by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry within the playoffs.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-8) | Don’t waste Joe Burrow’s prime | Burrow leads the NFL this season in passing yards (4,641) and passing touchdowns (42), however the Bengals are .500 and on the surface trying in at a playoff spot due to their Twenty ninth-ranked scoring protection. Cincinnati’s Tremendous Bowl window is open, however Burrow simply turned 28 and received’t be in his prime without end, so it is a essential offseason forward.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-13) | Rethink the QB technique | The Browns have the worst QB state of affairs within the NFL, contemplating there are nonetheless two years remaining on Deshaun Watson’s $230M contract, and now Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is floating the concept that Cleveland might herald Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins within the offseason. Bleh. This crew should draft a QB and use the subsequent two years to develop him right into a starter.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-6) | Regulate your expectations | The Steelers go into each season anticipating to compete for the Tremendous Bowl as a result of no different crew in NFL historical past has extra Tremendous Bowl rings, however this crew isn’t a championship contender and hasn’t been for some time. Pittsburgh hasn’t received a playoff recreation for the reason that 2016 season, and it has misplaced its previous three video games towards reliable title contenders (Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs) by a mixed rating of 90-40. — Jack Dougherty
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7) | Enhance offensive line | QB C.J. Stroud has been sacked 52 occasions this season, 14 greater than in 2023 in a single further begin. Defending the franchise’s most respected asset — and returning him to his rookie type — ought to be Houston’s prime precedence this offseason.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-9) | Cease feuding with Pat McAfee | The previous Colts punter laid waste to Indianapolis following its 45-33 Week 17 loss to the Giants, ripping the crew’s tradition below head coach Shane Steichen. Final month, linebacker Zaire Franklin kicked a hornet’s nest by blasting McAfee for being vital of the crew in November, however this time, the Colts can be sensible to maintain their mouths shut.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-12) | Get a brand new head coach and GM | Head coach Doug Pederson and GM Trent Baalke may very well be approaching their final recreation with the Jaguars. Regardless of having a number of seasons, neither has turned Jacksonville right into a perennial contender, one thing the subsequent mind belief will search to perform.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-13) | Finish the Will Levis experiment | Whether or not by signing a free-agent QB or by deciding on one within the draft, Tennessee should bid farewell to the Levis period. The second-year QB regressed this season, throwing as many touchdowns as interceptions (12) and posting the next sack price (12.35 % to 9.89 %) and decrease passer score (79.8 to 84.2) than he did as a rookie. — Eric Smithling
