Top Three AFC Teams That Can Challenge the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are currently first in the AFC as they look to three-peat, something no NFL franchise has ever done. They won nine in a row before suffering their first loss a few weeks ago to the Buffalo Bills. Only a few AFC teams potentially stand in their way. Here are the top three challengers in the AFC that can dethrone Kansas City.

1. Baltimore Ravens

If the Baltimore Ravens run into the Chiefs again in the postseason, expect a shootout, as the Ravens' defense gives up 277 passing yards per game, the second worst in the league. Patrick Mahomes is 4-1 against Lamar Jackson, including last year’s AFC Championship Game victory. The Ravens will have to rely on Jackson, who currently leads the league in total passing yards with 3,053 and is tied for first in touchdown passes with 27. If the Ravens can control the game through their run attack, led by Derrick Henry, that will be their best chance to knock out the Chiefs.

2. Buffalo Bills

It ultimately comes down to Buffalo making two or three key plays if they want to knock out Kansas City. They’ve won four straight regular-season matchups but lost three straight playoff games to the Chiefs. In last year’s playoff matchup, excluding the two drives to end each half, Buffalo allowed a score on five of seven drives, forcing just one punt and a fumble. Josh Allen has all the tools to outduel Mahomes; he just needs his defense to rise to the occasion.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

This could have been a spot for the Cincinnati Bengals, but with their 4-7 record, they are on the outside looking in at the playoffs. The Chiefs, despite being 11-1, have won 14 straight one-score games, including nine straight this season. A gamble late in the first half of the 2021 AFC Championship Game against the Bengals prevented the Chiefs from going to five straight Super Bowls. Only the Chiefs' self-inflicted wounds can stop them from making the Super Bowl.