Ten storylines to watch in the AFC this season.
1) Will the Chiefs reign again? Kansas City is the two-time defending AFC champion and the Vegas favorite to go to the Super Bowl again. QB Patrick Mahomes will be behind a new-look O-line, as K.C. traded for tackle Orlando Brown Jr., signed guard Joe Thuney and drafted center Creed Humphrey and tackle Trey Smith.
2) Can Urban and Trevor revive Jags? After the Jaguars tanked their way to QB Trevor Lawrence as the No. 1 overall pick, and hired coach Urban Meyer, there is fresh hope in Jacksonville. Expect growing pains, though, for the rookie quarterback and a defense which ranked next-to-last in points and yards in 2020.
3) What’s going to happen with Deshaun Watson? Houston’s Pro Bowl quarterback requested a trade in January but legal trouble has complicated his situation. Watson is facing 22 lawsuits for allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. Texans first-year coach David Culley has a mess on his hands.
4) Can the Bills take the next step? Buffalo, which lost 38-24 to the Chiefs in last year’s conference championship game, is the top challenger to dethrone Kansas City in the AFC. Quarterback Josh Allen — recently signed to a six-year deal potentially worth more than $258 million — will be counted on to lead a balanced team capable of making the Super Bowl.
5) Are the Titans who they believe they are? Since Ryan Tannehill took over the starting QB job in Week 7 of 2019, the Titans are 18-8 and average 30.6 points per game. Last year’s AFC South champions also feature the NFL’s reigning rushing champion, Derrick Henry, who ran for 2,027 yards and 17 TDs in 2020.
6) Can the Patriots turn it around? Coming off New England’s first losing season (7-9) since 2000, coach Bill Belichick is hungry to get his team back into contention. Whether that’s with veteran Cam Newton or rookie Mac Jones as the team’s quarterback, New England’s revamped defense will be the key to success.
7) Who comes out of the stacked AFC North? Last year, the Steelers (12-4), Ravens (11-5) and Browns (11-5) all made the playoffs. That could be the case again this year with postseason expectations in all three cities, and Cleveland appearing capable of winning its first divisional title since 1989.
8) What can the Bengals be with a healthy Joe Burrow? Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, went 2-7-1 in 10 games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending knee injury. With his reps managed in the preseason, the Bengals’ hopes rest largely upon the young quarterback taking a step forward in year two.
9) Just how good can Justin Herbert get? The Chargers’ QB was named the 2020 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 4,336 yards, with 31 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. If he takes another leap, and the Chargers figure out how to close games under new coach Brandon Staley, Los Angeles could be dangerous.
10) Can Denver’s defense keep Broncos in contention? The Broncos have a re-tooled secondary, one of the best safety tandems in the league, and above-grade talent up front in Mike Purcell and Shelby Harris. Will the Broncos’ defense be good enough — and healthy enough — to make up for a potentially suspect offense?
