The Pittsburgh Steelers have been active this offseason and the 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner. The ticker tape from the 2023 Super Bowl has barely hit the ground, but already it is time to start making some predictions for next season and the road to Super Bowl LVIII. The AFC has some of the most competitive divisions in the NFL and will provide some of the best games of the 2024 season. Here is a little preview and some picks for the AFC.
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TJ Watt scoops a loose ball for the first score in Pittsburgh's Wild Card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs
They have won the division every year since 2016, so it is hard to see them suddenly faltering in the 2024 season. Kansas City are the defending Super Bowl Champions, so they have to be favorites to win their division next time out. The Vegas NFL odds at BetUS have them in the lead for success and give them a good chance of defending their title at Super Bowl LVIII in Paradise, Nevada.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a great season, and will still only be 28 when the next Super Bowl comes around. It is not unreasonable to expect a rerun next season and have a Super Bowl with Kansas City at one end of the field, but who will be at the other end?
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
Until the Steelers can translate their talent on paper onto the football field, the Bengals are still in the driver's seat. The AFC North division may be a little more open next season than it has been recently, but the smart money remains on the Bengals to win the division and be contenders in the playoffs. They changed their team and took control of their future with their 2021 draft picks, and the effects are still being felt.
Joe Burrow has thrived at Cincinnati and has repeatedly led the team to some amazing wins. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd are a powerful trio that few teams in the division can contend with. The Baltimore Ravens should always be viewed as a threat, and are the outside pick for this division, but the Bengals have had the upper hand in the North for a few seasons now.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow (#9) lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA in 2022.
AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags have been on an ascension in recent years, culminating with their AFC South Championship win against Tennessee last season. Most football experts see their success continuing for years to come, especially after they tied down Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson. They are a well funded team with few spots to address in the next NFL Draft, so you should expect them to invest in the players they have and build on their 2023 title success without having to find new talent.
The Tennessee Titans are still strong, and they have a score to settle with Jacksonville. They could be the fly in the Floridian’s ointment, but the odds favor Jacksonville unless the Titans make some big additions to their roster.
AFC East: Buffalo Bills
The Bills have all the makings of a Super Bowl team, but they didn’t manage it last time out. They have every right to be frustrated and should use this as fuel to power them to AFC East dominance next season. No team deserves to reach the Super Bowl, it is a right that has to be earned, but Buffalo is close to being an exception to the rule. They have done everything right, but fate robbed them of their chances last year and they fell short of reaching State Farm Stadium. Their core talent of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Matt Milano, and Von Miller will keep them in contention for the next Super Bowl.
The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets could also pose some problems, however, depending on how the rest of the offseason goes.
Steelers, AFC Wild Cards And Challengers
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The Pittsburgh Steelers' young offense celebrate together at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
The teams above are all likely candidates for division success, but nothing is ever easy in professional sports. Though they have the best chance of winning their AFC divisions, all of these teams have contenders to their thrones that they will have to reckon with in the new season.
Starting in the North, Pittsburgh has everything they need to rain on the Bengals parade. Kenny Pickett will be the key to the Steel City's success.
In the East, the Dolphins are the biggest threat to Buffalo. When Tua Tagovailoa is playing at his best, they look unstoppable, but these performances are too few and far between. If he can hook up a string of top performances, the Dolphins could steal the Bills' thunder next season.
The West is filled with potential wild cards and teams that can challenge Kansas City, though they definitely sit at the top of the pile. The Los Angeles Chargers have a lot of momentum behind them and look ready to make a step up soon. They are nipping at the heels of the Chiefs, and Justin Herbert ticks every box to be a Super Bowl winning quarterback one day.
This time next year, we will know the winner of Super Bowl LVIII, and there is a good chance that the winner will be on this list. Make your picks early to get the fattest odds at a sportsbook and use this guide to help you make your choices.
